Regents OK funding plan for stadium
PULLMAN – Washington State University’s Board of Regents approved funding Friday for Martin Stadium renovation plans, allowing for significant construction to begin after the 2006 season.
Backed by the athletic department and student leaders, the regents approved a $25 per semester fee the students had passed earlier this year. With that money in hand, the board was able to allow the department approximately $22.5 million that has been tabbed to finance Phases I and II of the stadium upgrade.
“They officially passed the schematic design of the stadium,” athletic director Jim Sterk said. “They were very supportive. The student leaders were there to support it. A good slam dunk.”
Barring a setback, construction could begin in December on a new entryway along Stadium Way that will serve as a primary point of access for the stadium. Restrooms and concession work will be done on the north, east and south sides of the stadium, and the north concourse will be widened.
WSU is also hoping to install handrails in the aisles of the south stands this summer, although Sterk indicated that may not be a guarantee at this point.
NCAA encourages bid
A portion of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament will be in the Arena next spring and the women’s tournament pays a visit the following year.
If WSU gets its way, Spokane could play host again to tournament games in 2009 and 2010. Sterk said the department is in the bidding process for the tournaments again in those years, an effort that apparently began with a push from the NCAA itself.
“We have a history of doing it and running it well,” Sterk said. The Arena held a women’s regional in 2001 and men’s first- and second-round games in 2002.
Given the NCAA’s interest in having WSU and Spokane bid for the tournaments again, Sterk struck an optimistic note looking forward to the chances of landing the games for a third time.
“The Spokane community and the Arena do a great job, so it’s kind of a win-win,” he said.
Notes
WSU is finalizing a contract for new basketball head coach Tony Bennett, who officially moved up from associate head coach to the top job after the season when his father, Dick, retired. Sterk said there were no surprises in a simple contract negotiation, and Bennett is expected to receive a contract similar to his father’s, a five-year deal worth about $2 million in total. … Football coach Bill Doba said linebacker Jason Stripling’s shoulder injury from spring practice is significant enough to require surgery, and the recovery time is expected to push into the fall season. If Stripling does not heal quickly, the Cougars could redshirt the linebacker, as he played last fall as a true freshman. Stripling is expected to be the lone player still out by the time fall camp begins in August.