Anything new with Stadium Rennovation?

[kstack]

Well, the students' skepticism isn't directed at the donors so much as it is the administration of the university.

[SonomaCat]

That distinction isn't necessarily obvious to the people writing the checks ...and it isn't always articulated quite like that by those doing the complaining.

[Egg Salad]

Can you guys hold on a sec? I like to get some popcorn....maybe a beverage......

[grizzh8r]

Can you guys hold on a sec? I like to get some popcorn....maybe a beverage......

Way to kill the dialogue Mr. Salad...

[The Butcher]

Well the Griz are making noise about their desire for expansion. While the Cats continue to keep tight lipped, and leave fans scratching their heads. If the Griz get this expansion they will DOUBLE the Cats capacity, which sure doesn’t help with in-state recruiting. The Griz want to break ground relatively quickly, and would have the expansion completed by the start of the 2008 season (according to the article). I have a feeling that when the Cats finally get their ducks in a row we would be looking at expansion in 2009 or 2010. These projects help stimulate excitement in a program. Expansion in Bozeman would do wonders for our athletics. Waiting even to make an announcement is really not helping our plight.


Washington-Grizzly Stadium could get 4,000 more seats
The Associated Press and Tribune Staff

MISSOULA — The University of Montana wants to add another 4,000 seats to Washington-Grizzly Stadium by the start of the 2008 season, but administrators will first ask student government leaders to endorse an increase in student athletic fees.

UM's current plan is to add the seats to the east side of the stadium at an estimated cost of $7 million.

Funding for the project is tied to a $17.50 increase in the $36 athletic fee each student pays each semester.

In return, UM students would get an additional 1,600 seats in the stadium, creating a block of 5,000 student seats, said Jim O'Day, UM athletic director.

ASUM senators will discuss the expansion and potential fee increase on Wednesday. If they like the idea, they'll draft a resolution and vote on it at their meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 15, the day before the state Board of Regents meets at UM.

If ASUM passes the resolution, regents will discuss UM's preliminary plan at the Missoula meeting.

The plan calls for ticket revenue to pay for the project in five years.

Design for the expansion would begin in January 2007, with construction beginning at the end of the 2007 football season. The project would be completed prior to the 2008 season, bringing the capacity of Washington-Grizzly Stadium to 27,117.

"We fight every game to find more tickets for people, and it would be great if we could get more students to the games," O'Day said.

UM is averaging 23,394 fans per game this season, tops in NCAA Division I-AA for the second straight year. Montana State comes to Missoula on Nov. 18, and the Grizzlies probably could sell 40,000 tickets for that matcup.

Student body president Andrea Helling said she supports the expansion.

"From my perspective, I think it's a great plan," she said. "It will be so exciting to see total seating up to 5,000 — that is a big deal for students."

If ASUM does not give its approval, UM administrators will pull the item from the regents agenda and start working on a plan to pitch to Griz fans and boosters, O'Day said Monday.

"If they don't support it, then we will look to survey our fans and supporters, and determine if we have demand for 4,000 more seats or more," he said.

Washington-Grizzly Stadium opened in 1986 with a capacity of about 12,000, and has been expanded several times. The original stadium cost about $6 million to build, all through private funds. O'Day recently estimated the stadium would cost more than $40 million to build at this time.

[Catfan2030]

Well the Griz are making noise about their desire for expansion. While the Cats continue to keep tight lipped, and leave fans scratching their heads. If the Griz get this expansion they will DOUBLE the Cats capacity, which sure doesn’t help with in-state recruiting. The Griz want to break ground relatively quickly, and would have the expansion completed by the start of the 2008 season (according to the article). I have a feeling that when the Cats finally get their ducks in a row we would be looking at expansion in 2009 or 2010. These projects help stimulate excitement in a program. Expansion in Bozeman would do wonders for our athletics. Waiting even to make an announcement is really not helping our plight.


Washington-Grizzly Stadium could get 4,000 more seats
The Associated Press and Tribune Staff

MISSOULA — The University of Montana wants to add another 4,000 seats to Washington-Grizzly Stadium by the start of the 2008 season, but administrators will first ask student government leaders to endorse an increase in student athletic fees.

UM's current plan is to add the seats to the east side of the stadium at an estimated cost of $7 million.

Funding for the project is tied to a $17.50 increase in the $36 athletic fee each student pays each semester.

In return, UM students would get an additional 1,600 seats in the stadium, creating a block of 5,000 student seats, said Jim O'Day, UM athletic director.

ASUM senators will discuss the expansion and potential fee increase on Wednesday. If they like the idea, they'll draft a resolution and vote on it at their meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 15, the day before the state Board of Regents meets at UM.

If ASUM passes the resolution, regents will discuss UM's preliminary plan at the Missoula meeting.

The plan calls for ticket revenue to pay for the project in five years.

Design for the expansion would begin in January 2007, with construction beginning at the end of the 2007 football season. The project would be completed prior to the 2008 season, bringing the capacity of Washington-Grizzly Stadium to 27,117.

"We fight every game to find more tickets for people, and it would be great if we could get more students to the games," O'Day said.

UM is averaging 23,394 fans per game this season, tops in NCAA Division I-AA for the second straight year. Montana State comes to Missoula on Nov. 18, and the Grizzlies probably could sell 40,000 tickets for that matcup.

Student body president Andrea Helling said she supports the expansion.

"From my perspective, I think it's a great plan," she said. "It will be so exciting to see total seating up to 5,000 — that is a big deal for students."

If ASUM does not give its approval, UM administrators will pull the item from the regents agenda and start working on a plan to pitch to Griz fans and boosters, O'Day said Monday.

"If they don't support it, then we will look to survey our fans and supporters, and determine if we have demand for 4,000 more seats or more," he said.

Washington-Grizzly Stadium opened in 1986 with a capacity of about 12,000, and has been expanded several times. The original stadium cost about $6 million to build, all through private funds. O'Day recently estimated the stadium would cost more than $40 million to build at this time.

Yep this is very true. It wont help out MSU if we wait much longer because by that time UM will be HUGE!!!!!!

[bcats]

I think they need to make some kind of formal announcement soon. Maybe after we beat the Griz and host a playoff game. I just believe something needs to be said about the direction in which this is going. All this rumor talk isn't helping anyone.

[CARDIAC_CATS]

I think they need to make some kind of formal announcement soon. Maybe after we beat the Griz and host a playoff game. I just believe something needs to be said about the direction in which this is going. All this rumor talk isn't helping anyone.

I totally agree.