Martin Stadium renovations

PULLMAN, Wash. — The multi-phase renovation of Martin Stadium that kicked off in 2006 will continue with Phase III, WSU officials announced last week.

Phase III of the project includes the addition of 16 suites, 31 loge boxes, similar to box seats, and multiple club seats atop the north stands of Martin Stadium.

Prior to the Martin Stadium Renovation Project, the stadium had not been renovated for 27 years.

Athletic Director Jim Sterk said the slogan for the project – TEAMBUILT – sums up the process of organizing Phase III.

“We were working with folks and doing interviews and came up with a number of names,” Sterk said. “We settled on TEAMBUILT because it exemplifies what we have done. It was a lot of people working together to build Phase III.”

Head football coach Paul Wulff said the renovations are important to more than just the football team.

“It affects every living Cougar,” Wulff said. “Every person likes the Cougar Pride statue outside the stadium. It allows more pride and national exposure.”

Phase III was initially set to take off last year but the state of the economy slowed the process.

“It (the cost of Phase III) was estimated at $40 million a year and a half ago,” Sterk said. “We know we can get it down to $33 million. It won't be $40 million. We think it will be somewhere in the low 30's." Sterk said the poor state of the economy attributed to lowered construction costs.

Sterk said a large number of the seats have already been purchased. Twenty-six of the 31 loge seats have already been reserved, as well as seven of the 16 suites, Sterk said.

The suites are priced at $35,000 to $50,000 a year and can hold up to 24 people. Four-person loge seats run between $9,100 and $10,200 per year, and six-person loge seats cost $13,600 to $15,300 per year. Outdoor club seats cost $1,700 and $2,000 while indoor club seats cost $2,500 per year. All seats will have access to the new Club Lounge.

Sterk said he expects construction to begin in early 2010, but the finished date is less certain.

“It'll take about 16-17 months to build but it can be built during the football season,” Sterk said. “The short timeline is to start construction in March or April 2010. It may be finished for the 2011 season but more likely will be ready for 2012.”

Wulff said when the Bohler Addition Varsity Weight Room was completed in 1997 it translated directly to success on the football field. He said the new renovations brought in good recruiting classes that improved the overall level of the team.

“(Renovations) help recruit a higher number of players, and a larger pool of players.” Wulff said.

The first two phases of the renovation were completed in the fall of 2008. Upgrades from the first two phases included widened concourses, extra bathrooms and concession stands. The most noticeable additions include the Cougar Pride statue outside the northeast corner of the stadium, the Martin Stadium sign visible from Stadium Way as well as the 40x52 foot scoreboard.

The final phase of the renovation, Phase IV, is set to add 5,500 seats atop the east stands. Sterk said he wants Phase III to be completed before starting construction on Phase IV.

For more information on the Martin Stadium renovations, go to www.martinstadium.org.