EWU's Vision for the Future

[BlackFalkin]

Great, FFWD to the first game at the renovated stadium vs hmm lets say CWU.... is it a sellout?

[Screamin_Eagle174]

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/n ... ics-shown/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The project envisions adding several thousand seats at Roos Field, boosting capacity beyond 18,000. Other amenities include athletic facilities, band lockerrooms, offices, and retail space. The latter is expected to generate revenue once the project becomes a reality.

Westfall said the Gateway Project has already drawn interest from several prospective commercial tenants, including two banks, a health-care company, a restaurant and others.

The next phase, Westfall said, is to identify lead donors who will commit to funding the project once the boards approve. Westfall added that he expects to know “within a week” whether a donor will commit to a $5.5 million gift that would allow completion of the design phase.

...

Most importantly, Westfall said “We have identified a number of individuals that have the potential to fund this entrirely, and we are in the process of sharing with them the vision for this project and go from there.”

[EWURanger]

Another pic.

[EWURanger]

More pics seem to be popping up...

[EWURanger]

Some more renderings of the project:

[grizfnz]

Now if they could only render fans for all those empty seats........:lol:8-)

In all seriousness it looks like quite an improvement.

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[polsongrizz]

Now if they could only render fans for all those empty seats........:lol:8-)

In all seriousness it looks like quite an improvement.

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And that is a legit question that needs to be answered. Unlike most on here I have been at their games when we were not the opponent. I have also been to five playoff games in Cheney. This is not smack just pure fact. They are not even able to sell more tickets to a playoff game then they do a Griz game.
That is a shitload of money for a school that it seems nobody in the area cares to watch play.

[Grizo406]

The rendering pics look pretty fuckin' good to me!

Nice job, EWU!!

[EWURanger]

Now if they could only render fans for all those empty seats........:lol:8-)

In all seriousness it looks like quite an improvement.

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And that is a legit question that needs to be answered. Unlike most on here I have been at their games when we were not the opponent. I have also been to five playoff games in Cheney. This is not smack just pure fact. They are not even able to sell more tickets to a playoff game then they do a Griz game.
That is a shitload of money for a school that it seems nobody in the area cares to watch play.

That's actually a fair question. But it's more than just about the playoffs, which are traditionally under-attended by many FCS schools across the country, not just at EWU. That said, we had much better playoff crowds this season than we did in 2010. Also, we operated at over 100% capacity during the regular season in 2011, and around 93% this season, so we are close to selling out most home games, not just the ones against UM or MSU - although those certainly help.

That aside, this is much more about a vision for the future of the athletics programs as well as the University itself than it is about satisfying what the demands for seats are right at this moment. It's about building for the future - EWU is the fastest growing University in Washington, and expects to be over 15,000 by 2020 (currently around 12,000 enrollment). There are a lot of things going on around campus to prepare for that eventuality (new dorms, etc.). Also, remember that this is a multi-use facility which will include a new book-store, commercial space, and other much-needed amenities. It's not just about football, although that program will undoubtedly be the primary benefactor of this project.

Also, from a perception point of view, if you were an alum or prospective fan would you be more inclined to come out to games in the current facility, or this one? If you were a prospective student, would you be more impressed with the current facilities, or this one? This is more about perception and where the University sees itself going as anything else.

I also think that something else that is weighing heavily in this is the current and future re-structuring within college football. EWU has an excellent football program and wants to be in that second Tier of college football, whatever that turns out to be. To do that, you need good facilities, something that is sorely lacking right now even with the modest improvements that have been made over the last few years.

[kalm]

And that is a legit question that needs to be answered. Unlike most on here I have been at their games when we were not the opponent. I have also been to five playoff games in Cheney. This is not smack just pure fact. They are not even able to sell more tickets to a playoff game then they do a Griz game.
That is a shitload of money for a school that it seems nobody in the area cares to watch play.

That's actually a fair question. But it's more than just about the playoffs, which are traditionally under-attended by many FCS schools across the country, not just at EWU. That said, we had much better playoff crowds this season than we did in 2010. Also, we operated at over 100% capacity during the regular season in 2011, and around 93% this season, so we are close to selling out most home games, not just the ones against UM or MSU - although those certainly help.

That aside, this is much more about a vision for the future of the athletics programs as well as the University itself than it is about satisfying what the demands for seats are right at this moment. It's about building for the future - EWU is the fastest growing University in Washington, and expects to be over 15,000 by 2020 (currently around 12,000 enrollment). There are a lot of things going on around campus to prepare for that eventuality (new dorms, etc.). Also, remember that this is a multi-use facility which will include a new book-store, commercial space, and other much-needed amenities. It's not just about football, although that program will undoubtedly be the primary benefactor of this project.

Also, from a perception point of view, if you were an alum or prospective fan would you be more inclined to come out to games in the current facility, or this one? If you were a prospective student, would you be more impressed with the current facilities, or this one? This is more about perception and where the University sees itself going as anything else.

I also think that something else that is weighing heavily in this is the current and future re-structuring within college football. EWU has an excellent football program and wants to be in that second Tier of college football, whatever that turns out to be. To do that, you need good facilities, something that is sorely lacking right now even with the modest improvements that have been made over the last few years.

Great post.

[EWURanger]

Gateway Overview, proposed additions highlighted in red.

[BlackFalkin]

And that is a legit question that needs to be answered. Unlike most on here I have been at their games when we were not the opponent. I have also been to five playoff games in Cheney. This is not smack just pure fact. They are not even able to sell more tickets to a playoff game then they do a Griz game.
That is a shitload of money for a school that it seems nobody in the area cares to watch play.

That's actually a fair question. But it's more than just about the playoffs, which are traditionally under-attended by many FCS schools across the country, not just at EWU. That said, we had much better playoff crowds this season than we did in 2010. Also, we operated at over 100% capacity during the regular season in 2011, and around 93% this season, so we are close to selling out most home games, not just the ones against UM or MSU - although those certainly help.

That aside, this is much more about a vision for the future of the athletics programs as well as the University itself than it is about satisfying what the demands for seats are right at this moment. It's about building for the future - EWU is the fastest growing University in Washington, and expects to be over 15,000 by 2020 (currently around 12,000 enrollment). There are a lot of things going on around campus to prepare for that eventuality (new dorms, etc.). Also, remember that this is a multi-use facility which will include a new book-store, commercial space, and other much-needed amenities. It's not just about football, although that program will undoubtedly be the primary benefactor of this project.

Also, from a perception point of view, if you were an alum or prospective fan would you be more inclined to come out to games in the current facility, or this one? If you were a prospective student, would you be more impressed with the current facilities, or this one? This is more about perception and where the University sees itself going as anything else.

I also think that something else that is weighing heavily in this is the current and future re-structuring within college football. EWU has an excellent football program and wants to be in that second Tier of college football, whatever that turns out to be. To do that, you need good facilities, something that is sorely lacking right now even with the modest improvements that have been made over the last few years.

EXCELLENT POST. 50% of these questions are sutle jabs at EWU fb attendance..You've pointed out everthing that needs to be said but what would Montana's attendance be if its stadium only held 8,600? So since the every game isnt sold out and season tickets dont have a 5 year waiting list there shouldnt be an expansion? I also think there are some who honestly have questions, like alot of EWU fans do.. Most EWU fans have been waiting for the scoreboard and capacity renovation/increase for sooo long that there is a "what if" factor. Will the average still be 6.5-8.5k after the renovation? Will this be the great catalyst that promts the greater metro area of Spokane & Spokane county to support the Eags that so many have been waiting for? Idk. What I do know is there will NEVER BE 20k in attendance at Roos field if the seating capacity is 8,600. The record attendance for the current venue is 12,700 so a sold out 18k venue doesnt seem so far fetched to me.

[grizfnz]

That's actually a fair question. But it's more than just about the playoffs, which are traditionally under-attended by many FCS schools across the country, not just at EWU. That said, we had much better playoff crowds this season than we did in 2010. Also, we operated at over 100% capacity during the regular season in 2011, and around 93% this season, so we are close to selling out most home games, not just the ones against UM or MSU - although those certainly help.

That aside, this is much more about a vision for the future of the athletics programs as well as the University itself than it is about satisfying what the demands for seats are right at this moment. It's about building for the future - EWU is the fastest growing University in Washington, and expects to be over 15,000 by 2020 (currently around 12,000 enrollment). There are a lot of things going on around campus to prepare for that eventuality (new dorms, etc.). Also, remember that this is a multi-use facility which will include a new book-store, commercial space, and other much-needed amenities. It's not just about football, although that program will undoubtedly be the primary benefactor of this project.

Also, from a perception point of view, if you were an alum or prospective fan would you be more inclined to come out to games in the current facility, or this one? If you were a prospective student, would you be more impressed with the current facilities, or this one? This is more about perception and where the University sees itself going as anything else.

I also think that something else that is weighing heavily in this is the current and future re-structuring within college football. EWU has an excellent football program and wants to be in that second Tier of college football, whatever that turns out to be. To do that, you need good facilities, something that is sorely lacking right now even with the modest improvements that have been made over the last few years.

EXCELLENT POST. 50% of these questions are sutle jabs at EWU fb attendance..You've pointed out everthing that needs to be said but what would Montana's attendance be if its stadium only held 8,600? So since the every game isnt sold out and season tickets dont have a 5 year waiting list there shouldnt be an expansion? I also think there are some who honestly have questions, like alot of EWU fans do.. Most EWU fans have been waiting for the scoreboard and capacity renovation/increase for sooo long that there is a "what if" factor. Will the average still be 6.5-8.5k after the renovation? Will this be the great catalyst that promts the greater metro area of Spokane & Spokane county to support the Eags that so many have been waiting for? Idk. What I do know is there will NEVER BE 20k in attendance at Roos field if the seating capacity is 8,600. The record attendance for the current venue is 12,700 so a sold out 18k venue doesnt seem so far fetched to me.

Historically, how many games besides the Montana game have temp bleachers been moved in and how many non-Montana games did your attendance exceed 8k. Not bashing, just questioning supply/demand.


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[kalm]

EXCELLENT POST. 50% of these questions are sutle jabs at EWU fb attendance..You've pointed out everthing that needs to be said but what would Montana's attendance be if its stadium only held 8,600? So since the every game isnt sold out and season tickets dont have a 5 year waiting list there shouldnt be an expansion? I also think there are some who honestly have questions, like alot of EWU fans do.. Most EWU fans have been waiting for the scoreboard and capacity renovation/increase for sooo long that there is a "what if" factor. Will the average still be 6.5-8.5k after the renovation? Will this be the great catalyst that promts the greater metro area of Spokane & Spokane county to support the Eags that so many have been waiting for? Idk. What I do know is there will NEVER BE 20k in attendance at Roos field if the seating capacity is 8,600. The record attendance for the current venue is 12,700 so a sold out 18k venue doesnt seem so far fetched to me.

Historically, how many games besides the Montana game have temp bleachers been moved in and how many non-Montana games did your attendance exceed 8k. Not bashing, just questioning supply/demand.


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Not many if any. The MSU game is typically a sell out but I don't recall bringing in additional seating for it. But there are 35,000 EWU alumni in Spokane County, way more than WSU, Idaho, or GU. We are already turning a corner in that regard with improved marketing and media exposure.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

EXCELLENT POST. 50% of these questions are sutle jabs at EWU fb attendance..You've pointed out everthing that needs to be said but what would Montana's attendance be if its stadium only held 8,600? So since the every game isnt sold out and season tickets dont have a 5 year waiting list there shouldnt be an expansion? I also think there are some who honestly have questions, like alot of EWU fans do.. Most EWU fans have been waiting for the scoreboard and capacity renovation/increase for sooo long that there is a "what if" factor. Will the average still be 6.5-8.5k after the renovation? Will this be the great catalyst that promts the greater metro area of Spokane & Spokane county to support the Eags that so many have been waiting for? Idk. What I do know is there will NEVER BE 20k in attendance at Roos field if the seating capacity is 8,600. The record attendance for the current venue is 12,700 so a sold out 18k venue doesnt seem so far fetched to me.

Historically, how many games besides the Montana game have temp bleachers been moved in and how many non-Montana games did your attendance exceed 8k. Not bashing, just questioning supply/demand.


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The MSU games usually have temp bleachers brought in, and this past year, some of the temp bleachers were left in place for the rest of the season after the Griz game.

As for exceeding 8k, since we won the NC, we've had 6/8 non UM games (one of them MSU) exceed 8k. Before the NC, only two games in 2005 exceeded 8k other than the UM game. Since we won the NC, the demand has been there, and the University is capitalizing as they should.

[grizfnz]

After the original stadium was built in 86, end zone seating was added in 95, followed by north end zone expansion in 2003, then the majestic plaza addition a few years ago. If theyd have built 25k seats in the beginning the place would have looked like a ghost town.

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