PULLMAN - Martin Stadium (33,522)

[fordgtman1992]

New Renovation of Martin Stadium on the Washington State University campus started construction last week















Message from Athletic Director Bill Moos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=umSvj0rJWOk

The old press box is now under demolition. The whole project is projected to be completed before next year's football season

Here is the current webcam image (10:55 11/29/11):


And the website:
http://thecougarfootballproject.org/

Sorry about the image sizes, I dont know how to make them smaller

[GunnerJacket]

Web site doesn't say but I assume the project will lift the capacity from 37K to about 40k. Nice addition for a program of that size. I'm sure Cougar fans will send PAC Commissioner Scott a nice thank you for the $8M+ per year increase they'll see under these new contracts, seeing as that is essentially paying for this expansion.

Very nice, indeed.

[fordgtman1992]

Originally Posted by GunnerJacket

I'm sure Cougar fans will send PAC Commissioner Scott a nice thank you for the $8M+ per year increase they'll see under these new contracts, seeing as that is essentially paying for this expansion.

That plus the revenue of the expensive luxury boxes that will be built, this will rake in lots of money to the program, plus rake in more recruits and make the football team more successful.


If enough money is gained, they will build the football building that you see in a couple renders at the west endzone. This is the second part of the renovation that they hope will begin next year.

[KingmanIII]

What I hate about these large suite towers built on top of the bottom bowl, is that they hinder the future upward expansion of the stadium, plus if you build an extra tier of seats on the other side, it looks horribly lopsided.

Maryland's Byrd Stadium comes to mind:

[RaiderATO]

This one is a bridge between Maryland and WKU, IMO.

WKU:


WSU looks to be the Goldilocks of the 3. Not too big, not too small, but just right.

[fordgtman1992]

The stadium will not be added onto anytime soon, the football team needs to start filling the current arrangement first. Plus there is no room to expand on either sideline since there are buildings it is already backed into

[GunnerJacket]

Originally Posted by KingmanIII

Maryland's Byrd Stadium comes to mind:

Maryland's will be fine, though, not only because the stadium is already larger by comparison but that if they do future expansions correctly they'll be fine. Adding upper tiers above the bowl end that match the existing larger side would be next, and if ever needed they could recreate that on the other end.

Say what we like about architectural symmetry and balance, these towers are the most efficient way to construct the money-making side of the game.

[GunnerJacket]

Originally Posted by fordgtman1992

That plus the revenue of the expensive luxury boxes that will be built, this will rake in lots of money to the program, plus rake in more recruits and make the football team more successful.

The hidden secret/caveat being, of course, that if everyone is doing it then the net benefit is merely building to keep up with where you are. Cal and Washington are rebuilding their stadiums, Utah is planning for an expansion at Rice Eccles, Oregon will eventually see an expansion, and even Oregon State has the plans in place as the demand suits.

At least WSU is doing this the right way and not overshooting the mark, as my Jackets did. Good luck to them.

[en1044]

I've been to plenty of games at Maryland. It's fine just how it is. No need for expansion.

[fordgtman1992]

Good news about Washington State Football, they have hired Mike Leach to take over as head coach. The new stadium renovation, the tv contract, and the new coach, all eyes will be on the Cougs next season!

http://content.usatoday.com/communit...h-texas-tech/1

[vadin]

Originally Posted by fordgtman1992

Good news about Washington State Football, they have hired Mike Leach to take over as head coach. The new stadium renovation, the tv contract, and the new coach, all eyes will be on the Cougs next season!

http://content.usatoday.com/communit...h-texas-tech/1

The arms race in the PAC-12 will be interesting to watch as it unfolds. With all of the TV money along with the PAC12 network money, all these athletic programs are flush with cash and looking to spend it.

If someone told me a year ago that Wazzu would pay a coach $2.5 million/year for a football coach, I would have thought they were crazy. Arizona went big and is now paying Rich Rod $2million/year, and ASU is looking to pay a big name coach like Mike Martz big bucks. Now the rumor is that UCLA, which has been notoriously cheap with their football program, is willing to pay $4 million/year to Chris Peterson and is looking at a facilities upgrade.

With Cal's and Washington's new facilities coming online in the next two years, and with Oregon's endless supply of Nike money, everyone is being forced to step it up. Interesting times are ahead indeed.

[JYDA]

I like Cougars

[fordgtman1992]

Today the ticket office, the phone lines, and the website for ordering tickets for next season are filled up! This is an exciting time for Cougar fans!!

[fordgtman1992]

I went by the site today and snapped a quick photo with my phone.

Behind the old press box:

[fordgtman1992]

Seats are being taken out, and so is the concrete


There is a big hole being dug where the equipment is


Pictures taken today by me

[KingmanIII]

Originally Posted by fordgtman1992

Seats are being taken out, and so is the concrete

precast?

[fordgtman1992]

Right now:



Press box demolition is on full swing

[fordgtman1992]

This weekend the tower crane is going to be assembled. Right now the press box demolition is completed and the elevator core is rising (to the left of the crane):



And yes, that is a foot of snow

The next photos are from last Thursday

The area underneath the stands that were taken out on the far and of the stadium is now undergoing piling to get ready for the freight elevator:



The slab that is at the bottom of the previous press box will be reused for the bottom of the new building:

[fordgtman1992]

Tower crane is being constructed today and tomorrow:

[fordgtman1992]

Main elevator core is nearing its final jump:



Core is peeking up and can be seen from pretty far away: