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Eastern Washington University Football

Eastern Washington selects Spokane’s ALSC Architects for predesign of renovated football stadium

The Eastern Washington Eagles and Central Washington Wildcats warm up before their Sept. 1, 2018, game at Roos Field in Cheney. The Eagles beat the Wildcats 58-13. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
By Ryan Collingwood ryanc@spokesman.com(509) 459-5473

Eastern Washington is moving ahead in its fundraising plan for a renovated football stadium.

EWU announced Thursday that for its predesign services it has hired ALSC Architects of Spokane, a firm that will address “possible enhancements” for students and fans at Roos Field.

According to an EWU news release, the privately funded improvements “could include expanded seating and improved amenities such as concessions and restrooms.”

ALSC designed Washington State’s Cougar Football Complex, Gonzaga’s McCarthey Athletic Center and dozens of other notable buildings in the region.

ALSC, which has worked on other projects on the EWU campus over the last 20 years, has invited donors, students, coaches, faculty, alumni and board members to participate in focus groups to discuss renovation ideas.

EWU said it hopes to have the predesign work completed no later than January.

“One aspect of this process is to learn what components of a stadium renovation we can realistically do, in what order, based on the funds available at the time,” EWU athletic director Lynn Hickey said in the news release. “Feedback from our supporters will be critical as we develop a winning business plan.”

Hickey told The Spokesman-Review on Thursday that more seating, improved fan amenities, restrooms, concessions, athletic offices and training facilities are a focus of the project, which she said would likely be done in phases.

“It’s a huge venue on our campus, so to upgrade the look and the quality, that would be important to improving the look of our school and giving the students and fans a great experience,” Hickey said.

Hickey, who has hired last spring, couldn’t give an estimated timetable of the project’s completion.

“You have to have the money before you starting digging,” Hickey said.

A previous renovation plan presented in 2012, The Gateway Project, didn’t gain enough traction and ultimately failed. The nearly $60 million plan included 10,000 seats and luxury boxes.