Eastern Washington announces upgrades to Roos Field - 2019 Top 10 – No. 9

CHENEY — Eastern Washington University’s Board of Trustees unanimously took a step to upgrade the university’s aging and out of date Roos Field football stadium by approving a $25 million package at a special meeting Sept. 6 that relies solely on private funding.

Vice President for University Advancement Barb Richey told the board that the funding level could be reached within 24 months. One part of that package, a $1.3 million replacement of the iconic Red Turf, could begin as early as the end of the 2019 football season.

The proposal would provide 8,612 seats, essentially the same as today’s facilities. The existing track would be removed and the western 5,121 seats moves 26 feet closer to the field, allowing a wide, inside concourse for a new concessions area inside the stadium in view of the field. The expanded seating would be more accessible, and would also begin to wrap around the stadium “bowl” on the northern and southern ends. The existing north stands and the concessions area on the south would be removed.

Other improvements include turning the existing three-level press box into suites with two upper level wings from the second level of the press box providing 198 covered, heated club seats. On the east side of the field, a 3,000 seat seating section the same height as the western section would be built. The section would include a shorter press box for media members and coaching staffs.

Just two weeks after the announcement, the university’s fundraising efforts got a major boost in the form of a $5 million gift from Cheney resident and West Plains and Spokane business owner Jack Gillingham.

John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.