Renovations at Arkansas State's stadium include waterfalls
Arkansas State’s stadium renovations will include some water around the north end zone.
Construction for the Centennial Bank Stadium’s $29-million north end zone expansion project (first announced over the summer) was approved Monday by the ASU Board of Trustees. The renovations include waterfalls on both sidelines. Really.
The school said the waterfalls “pay homage to The Natural State with landscape features indigenous to the state of Arkansas.”
“This is a monumental day in the history of Arkansas State Athletics as we take the next step in this historic initiative to help build our programs to be the best we can possibly be,” said athletic director Terry Mohajir. “This wouldn’t be possible without many loyal and dedicated people and companies who believe in the vision of our athletics program. I appreciate Dr. Damphousse, Dr. Welch and our Board of Trustee’s support and confidence in this project.”
In addition to the waterfalls, the school is adding a new weight room, new locker rooms and other amenities for players and staff. There will also be premium seating installed at the stadium.
The new facility will span approximately 66,533 square feet and be utilized by all A-State student-athletes with amenities such as a weight room, training and rehabilitation area, academic rooms and a team theater-seating room. The facility will also co-exist as a football operations building consisting of a team locker room, meeting rooms, players’ lounge, coaching offices and more. The project will not only enhance the student-athlete experience for current and future Red Wolves, it will create additional space to expand the entire athletics department as well. The construction will also yield 150 new loge boxes and 68 new premium seats, generating additional revenue for the athletics department.
The goal is for the renovations to be completed in time for the 2018 season. The school said it will “begin to mobilize construction immediately” with “a specific ground-breaking date” to be announced at a later time. Construction in the north end zone “will begin with the premium seating areas,” the school said.
“The Athletics Department and foundation want to begin construction as soon as possible so the revenue-generating seating is ready for the 2018 fall season,” said ASU System President Dr. Chuck Welch.
The first Arkansas State player to score a game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter after the renovations are complete is mandated to jump into the waterfall. If he doesn’t, there will be some serious sanctions from Dr. Saturday.
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of Dr. Saturday and From the Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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