USU to get new Stadium and facilities upgrades

Money is flowing for Stadium and facilites upgrades, but is more to come? Stay tuned!

LOGAN --

Utah State officials hope to have a new playing surface in place for the 2004 football home opener and start tearing down the press box after the final home game of the season. The installation and demolition are the intended first steps in a series of improvements to Romney Stadium that could cost as much as $20 million, paid for by a package of bonding and private donations, USU athletic director Rance Pugmire said.

A end-zone complex with a locker room, training room, weight room and offices is targeted as the centerpiece of the improvements. But the school's ability to bond for an upgrade of the existing stadium has changed the project's immediate direction.

USU trustees last week approved a refinancing of the Stadium/Spectrum bond. With the backing of the state Board of Regents and the legislature, that would make some $10 million available -- to be paid back through student fees -- for a synthetic playing surface and a press box structure with sky boxes and club seating on the west side of the stadium. Recreation facilities for students also would be enhanced.

If everything goes as planned, the new field (replacing natural grass) would be available for the Sept. 11 home opener and the new press box would be ready in September 2005. After the 2005 season, officials hope to start construction on the end-zone complex, which requires private funding.

The bonding "gives us leverage with our donors," Pugmire said. "We're hoping that spurs some enthusiasm and excitement, so we can go out and get the rest of [the funding]. We're making some progress."

USU football coach Mick Dennehy is emphasizing the facility upgrades in his recruiting efforts this winter. At least one player, quarterback Cole Nielson of Pocatello, Idaho, has cited the building plans as a reason for his commitment to the Aggies.

"Anyone in this business will tell you [recruiting] is all about facilities now," Pugmire said. "What we're doing is not outrageous. . . . If you look at Sun Belt schools and WAC schools, we're woefully behind. There's a reason our football program has struggled for a long, long time." USU is scheduled to play a second season of Sun Belt football in 2004 and move into the WAC next year, although there's a chance the timetable could be accelerated.

USU opened the Stan Laub Indoor Training Center, primarily for football practice, in 1998. But little has been done to Romney Stadium in the last 20 years, except for the addition of lights and a limited number of chair seats.