CHENEY — Eastern Washington University Athletics announced they are beginning a series of projects to renovate Roos Field. The first step in this process begins with replacing the track, and EWU athletics held a ceremony for that project Oct. 10.

“The track facility will give our student athletes the space and resources they deserve to train, compete, and pursue excellence,” EWU Athletic Director Tim Collins said. “But make no mistake, the project is about much more than a track. It’s about setting the foundation for the renovation of Roos Field and ultimately, the next chapter of Eagle Athletics.”

The envisioned improvements will expand event opportunities, enhance fan experiences, strengthen recruiting efforts, and allow student athletes to compete at the highest levels, the statement said.

EWU Athletics is progressing with a fundraising campaign for a multiphase, $25 million renovation and expansion of the football stadium, with the $2 million track project as the first phase. Those fundraising efforts involve naming rights for the stadium, the field, and other spaces and amenities throughout the venue.

According to an informational page on the university website, they have raised $6.6 million with the goal being $13 million.

The track improvements will benefit both student-athletes and the broader community, as the upgrades will help EWU to attract more youth, high school and collegiate track-and-field meets, the statement said.

Future phases, to be carried out in the next few years, will involve construction of a new working-level press box behind and above the eastern grandstands. This project is expected to increase the stadium’s capacity to 8,600.

Once that portion of the project is completed, the western stadium structure will be remodeled to create more social and hospitality spaces that will aim to enhance game day experiences and strengthen revenue streams for EWU Athletics, the release said.

“Our fans have become accustomed to newer amenities at other stadiums and want more options when choosing how to cheer on Eagles football,” Collins said. “A more diverse inventory of group spaces, coupled with our current offerings, will lead to a more memorable experience for some of our more fervent supporters.”

Private donations and revenue generated by EWU Athletics will fund all future phases of stadium improvements, with no additional student fees levied and no monies from the university’s operating and capital budgets.

“Recruiting student-athletes is more competitive than ever, and we must ensure we are providing state-of-the-art facilities to give our teams the best chance to compete, succeed and represent the university, both as Spokane County’s team and as a strong competitor in the Big Sky Conference.” EWU President Shari McMahan said.

Additional renderings and information on this project are available at https://bit.ly/RoosField.