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Hello Cougar Fans and welcome to the A.D. Forum. Washington State University Director of Athletics Jim Sterk will post periodic entries on this page about topics regarding WSU Athletics.
Nov. 19, 2009
With the holiday season approaching, I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and to give you an update on Phase III of the Martin Stadium renovation.
Since our public announcement of moving forward with Phase III on Sept. 22, we have received a great deal of interest in premium seating, and our commitment level for these seats is increasing every day.
Additionally, at our latest meeting with Graham Construction and WSU Capital Planning and Development, it was communicated to us that construction cost of Phase III will be less than originally estimated. The recent bid process resulted in a reduction in construction costs of almost $6 million off Phase III's original $40 million budget. Furthermore, "value engineering," as suggested by the contractor, could reduce the cost even more.
This is very good news as we move forward with Phase III because this is probably a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity for us to construct this building at the lowest possible cost, and we want to take advantage of the favorable construction environment at this time.
I, along with Athletic Foundation staff, recently completed a tour of the state where we conducted Town Hall meetings on the stadium renovation. It was great to see so many Cougs at these events, and I want to thank those who turned out, and for your questions and interest in the project.
The Town Halls were so successful that we are embarking on another tour from Dec. 7 to Dec. 10. We will be at the following locations. Please note that the Town Halls are open to the public.
- Dec. 7: Washington Athletic Club, Lobby Lounge, Seattle, 6-8 p.m.
- Dec. 8: Heathman Lodge, General Howard Ballroom, Vancouver, 7-9 p.m.
- Dec. 9: CUB Junior Ballroom on the WSU Campus in Pullman, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Dec. 10: The Davenport Hotel, Elizabethan Room, Spokane, 7-9 p.m.
Our staff is continuing to work on premium seating sales in an effort to secure a threshold of premium seating commitments by December 18. The December 18 date is significant because Phase III will be completed by the 2012 football season; however, if premium seat sales and fundraising benchmarks are met by December 18, Cougar fans could enjoy the premium-seating experience as early as the 2011 season.
Fans who make a commitment prior to December 18 will also receive priority in terms of the allocation of their seats in the new seating areas based on project criteria, in front of those who make commitments after that date.
For more information on premium seating and to make a commitment, please contact Assistant Athletics Director for Annual Gifts and Tickets Dan Meyer at 509-335-0236, meyerd@wsu.edu, or go to the stadium renovation website at www.martinstadium.org
As Thanksgiving approaches, I wish to thank all those who have supported the Martin Stadium Renovation project. It is because of your support that Phase III will be Team Built.
Go Cougs!
Jim Sterk
Director of Athletics
Washington State University
