DO YOU THINK THE EWU GATEWAY PROJECT WILL BE BUILT?

[canyoncat]

Hope it gets built. The question is can they fill it once it is completed. No question they field some very good teams that are worth watching, so hopefully they can get it built. They are better than Idaho and produce and Washington State is hit and miss on competitiveness. They are getting better under Leach, but for my money I would go watch an EWU game before I would go to a game in Pullman or Moscow.

[dbackjon]

I DUNNO, MAYBE. BUT ALSO MAYBE NOT

Way to commit.

It's too early to tell if he was trying to be intentionally vague or not

[kalm]

Way to commit.

It's too early to tell if he was trying to be intentionally vague or not

Yeah, I'm kind of riding the fence on that one.

[BlackFalkin]

I honestly think it wont get built. I think a different version of this will get built probably around 2020. The University just does not support the football team like they should.

[LDopaPDX]

I'm sure it will get done, but it might be scaled back some. I just struggle to see how a $60m project is necessary all in one shot. Building 5,000 better seats on the East Side with an add-on terrace as a second phase at a time to be determined later is just fine for now. Then again, Eastern blew $22m on a hockey arena to support a club team... fucking epic, that one.

That said, I can tell you 100% that Eastern is serious about it. I know people they've contacted, and I know they are wining and dining prospective big donors all the time. Eastern's large-scale fundraising team does a very good job. What Eastern sucks at is getting at the smaller donors.

[SDHornet]

I'm sure it will get done, but it might be scaled back some. I just struggle to see how a $60m project is necessary all in one shot. Building 5,000 better seats on the East Side with an add-on terrace as a second phase at a time to be determined later is just fine for now. Then again, Eastern blew $22m on a hockey arena to support a club team... fucking epic, that one.

That said, I can tell you 100% that Eastern is serious about it. I know people they've contacted, and I know they are wining and dining prospective big donors all the time. Eastern's large-scale fundraising team does a very good job. What Eastern sucks at is getting at the smaller donors.

Eh...if this was the case shovels would be in the ground. This project has been talked about for what? 3 years now? 1 of those years would have been all that is needed to design the facility. So that's 2 years of hardcore fund raising so far. Not sure what the mark is needed to break ground but if the big dollar donors have been corralled then ground should break soon.

That said I hope it gets built and I think 16k is the right number. Fuck the small ball 12k number, get the capacity then push to get the damn thing filled when it gets built.

[AZGrizFan]

It's too early to tell if he was trying to be intentionally vague or not

Yeah, I'm kind of riding the fence on that one.

It's probably 50/50 that he's correct.

[AZGrizFan]

I honestly think it wont get built. I think a different version of this will get built probably around 2020. The University just does not support the football team like they should.

This. Like I said earlier in the thread, if they design it to be built in stages, I could see them adding 3500-4000 seats and doing a couple other upgrades, but not dumping $60 mil into a stadium project that can't draw more than 12,000 people EVER.

[kalm]

I honestly think it wont get built. I think a different version of this will get built probably around 2020. The University just does not support the football team like they should.

This. Like I said earlier in the thread, if they design it to be built in stages, I could see them adding 3500-4000 seats and doing a couple other upgrades, but not dumping $60 mil into a stadium project that can't draw more than 12,000 people EVER.

Don't get too hung up on the number of seats. I'm guessing the estimate is the total project cost spread over several phases, the majority of which is going towards things not related to seating. That's been one of the selling points in that this goes ways beyond just football and a stadium upgrade.

As for BF's point about the university not supporting football, where in fvck do you think this idea came from?

That being said, the current President is retiring so it remains to be seen how his replacement will approach this.

[AZGrizFan]

Don't get too hung up on the number of seats. I'm guessing the estimate is the total project cost spread over several phases, the majority of which is going towards things not related to seating. That's been one of the selling points in that this goes ways beyond just football and a stadium upgrade.

As for BF's point about the university not supporting football, where in fvck do you think this idea came from?

That being said, the current President is retiring so it remains to be seen how his replacement will approach this.

Better hope you don't get an Engstrom.

[BlackFalkin]

This. Like I said earlier in the thread, if they design it to be built in stages, I could see them adding 3500-4000 seats and doing a couple other upgrades, but not dumping $60 mil into a stadium project that can't draw more than 12,000 people EVER.

As for BF's point about the university not supporting football, where in fvck do you think this idea came from?

How much was spent on a hockey rink? 20 MILLION! You have one of the best fcs football teams in the country and they spent 20 MILLION ON A HOCKEY RINK and left roos field looking like a dump. Kill yourself.

[Ibanez]

As for BF's point about the university not supporting football, where in fvck do you think this idea came from?

How much was spent on a hockey rink? 20 MILLION! You have one of the best fcs football teams in the country and they spent 20 MILLION ON A HOCKEY RINK and left roos field looking like a dump. Kill yourself.

Does EWU aspire to move up within the next 5 or so years?

[BlackFalkin]

How much was spent on a hockey rink? 20 MILLION! You have one of the best fcs football teams in the country and they spent 20 MILLION ON A HOCKEY RINK and left Roos field looking like a dump. Kill yourself.

Does EWU aspire to move up within the next 5 or so years?

I doubt it. EWUniversity doesn't have a "college football first" mindset.

[Ibanez]

Does EWU aspire to move up within the next 5 or so years?

I doubt it. EWUniversity doesn't have a "college football first" mindset.

This next question is probably due to our regional differences, but what is the dominant sport out there? In the south, as you probably guessed it, college football is king.

[BlackFalkin]

I doubt it. EWUniversity doesn't have a "college football first" mindset.

This next question is probably due to our regional differences, but what is the dominant sport out there? In the south, as you probably guessed it, college football is king.

In Spokane, EWU is in Spokane County, Gonzaga Basketball is king. But overall on the west and in the pacific northwest Id say football is king.

[Ibanez]

This next question is probably due to our regional differences, but what is the dominant sport out there? In the south, as you probably guessed it, college football is king.

In Spokane, EWU is in Spokane County, Gonzaga Basketball is king. But overall on the west and in the pacific northwest Id say football is king.

I didn't know Gonzaga was out there. That makes much sense.

Based off the success of your program, I can see the project being built.

[kalm]

As for BF's point about the university not supporting football, where in fvck do you think this idea came from?

How much was spent on a hockey rink? 20 MILLION! You have one of the best fcs football teams in the country and they spent 20 MILLION ON A HOCKEY RINK and left roos field looking like a dump. Kill yourself.

It's called the "Rec Center" and houses an indoor track, rock climbing wall, weight room, fitness center, basketball and volleyball courts and a restaurant. Plus, it was funded through student fees.

[LDopaPDX]

How much was spent on a hockey rink? 20 MILLION! You have one of the best fcs football teams in the country and they spent 20 MILLION ON A HOCKEY RINK and left roos field looking like a dump. Kill yourself.

It's called the "Rec Center" and houses an indoor track, rock climbing wall, weight room, fitness center, basketball and volleyball courts and a restaurant. Plus, it was funded through student fees.

No. The hockey arena is not part of the phase complex. The hockey arena is on the street that runs perpendicular to Washington in front of the stadium, across the street from Pence Union. (Oak, maybe? It's the one the runs into 1st street down at the Taj Market.) However, it was funded with student fees. Just the same, you could certainly fund the stadium with student fees as well.

I just wish Eastern would start a hockey program. Given the huge number of Canadians in the void between Kelowna and Lethbridge with no major hockey-playing university, Eastern would have a recruiting ground of epic proportions. Just look at the number of NHL'ers coming out of a place like Cranbrook for whom Eastern would be the closest hockey program. Plus, you can still recruit kids that finish their careers in the WHL. It would be instantly relevant.

Also, I totally disagree with the statement Spokane is a Gonzaga basketball town. Basketball is relevant for about 2-3 months a year, and Gonzaga has a smallish arena. It the couple of years WSU was a good basketball team, they drew double the fans and garnered double the press Gonzaga did. Still, football is the dominant sport in Spokane by a country mile, it's just that there is no dominant figure in that area.... the only team everyone supports is the Seahawks across the state.

[kalm]

It's called the "Rec Center" and houses an indoor track, rock climbing wall, weight room, fitness center, basketball and volleyball courts and a restaurant. Plus, it was funded through student fees.

No. The hockey arena is not part of the phase complex. The hockey arena is on the street that runs perpendicular to Washington in front of the stadium, across the street from Pence Union. (Oak, maybe? It's the one the runs into 1st street down at the Taj Market.) However, it was funded with student fees. Just the same, you could certainly fund the stadium with student fees as well.

I just wish Eastern would start a hockey program. Given the huge number of Canadians in the void between Kelowna and Lethbridge with no major hockey-playing university, Eastern would have a recruiting ground of epic proportions. Just look at the number of NHL'ers coming out of a place like Cranbrook for whom Eastern would be the closest hockey program. Plus, you can still recruit kids that finish their careers in the WHL. It would be instantly relevant.

Also, I totally disagree with the statement Spokane is a Gonzaga basketball town. Basketball is relevant for about 2-3 months a year, and Gonzaga has a smallish arena. It the couple of years WSU was a good basketball team, they drew double the fans and garnered double the press Gonzaga did. Still, football is the dominant sport in Spokane by a country mile, it's just that there is no dominant figure in that area.... the only team everyone supports is the Seahawks across the state.

The Hockey Arena is inside the aforementioned Rec Center across Elm Street from Pierce and the Pub. I've had an alumni membership to that facility in the past and trust me, it has all of those things...I've used them. The Phase is still the Phase.

My understanding is the students have already agreed to fund the student section portion of the Gateway.

[AZGrizFan]

In Spokane, EWU is in Spokane County, Gonzaga Basketball is king. But overall on the west and in the pacific northwest Id say football is king.

I didn't know Gonzaga was out there. That makes much sense.

Based off the success of your program, I can see the project being built.

[BlackFalkin]

If the students have agreed to fund a portion of this, that would be huge! Epecially since i reallydont think those selfish bastards would ever agree to such a thing.

[Ibanez]

I didn't know Gonzaga was out there. That makes much sense.

Based off the success of your program, I can see the project being built.

Says the old man that eats dog food.

[polsongrizz]

We've pretty much averaged a sell out for the last 3 years, so demand is increasing. I know a number of people who watched games from home because they literally couldn't get tickets.

Dude, come on. You know how many games I have been to over there. Not one single time did I ever buy tickets ahead of time for a game. BTW, that includes any of your playoff games that we attended. Hell even when we or bozone play there the only reason it sells out is because we bought a shitload of tickets, not ewu fans.
The apathy in the Spokane area regarding football in Cheney is enormous, you know that.
I do wish you luck though...

[polsongrizz]

My ringtone is the SUU fight song.

They have a fight song???

[EWURanger]

Yes, "it" will get built. The real question is what form of "it", and when.