New renderings of the football ops building

Normally, the agenda for the Finance and Audit Committee of the Board of Regents is probably a snoozefest. I say probably because I'm sure there are some people who are very interested in audits. However, when one of the future action items to be discussed at this weeks meeting includes the words "Martin Stadium Football Operations Building", it's definitely worth a click for everyone.

Let's be clear on something first: the way I read it, this is just a presentation. The board isn't going to give it the thumbs up or down this week although I can't imagine a scenario where they'd say no when it is eventually put to a vote. The project is slated to cost 53 million dollars (with seven million in contingency money) and get started right after the Apple Cup. It should be completed and ready for furniture by the end of February 2014. The university still needs 46 million to complete the project, money that will come from bonds and be paid back by revenue from the new media deal.

Given the immense cost of the project, you'd probably like to see what it's going to look like, right? I can help you out there.

That is simply gorgeous. The building is slated to be five stories tall (with one below ground for the locker room that will also have direct access to the tunnel) and keeps with the campus theme of brick buildings. You'll be able to enter to the left of the stairs for the strength and conditioning area or an entrance to the WSU Hall of Fame at the top of the stairs. Worry not students, the stairs lead to a walkway that takes you right to the CUB Elevator.

A view from the east end and a look at the front of the building. Missing from this picture is where the current scoreboard (if it's even kept) will go. But still, randomly cropped out of the picture guy seems to enjoy it.

Here's a look from the just completed Cougar Football Project. To the the left of the building you can see the connection to the CUB Staircase. The stands in the west end zone also look like they'll get a little touch up. So far the only thing I've found that I don't like about this is what is does to the area to the left of the stands. It's just a wall with a garage door and it could create some rough sight lines from the south side stands at the bottom. But if that's my only problem with this building, I think I can live with that.

A look inside the locker room which is slick. The back of the locker room will also have a lounge for players to kick back and watch a little tube.

Finally, a part of the project I didn't even know existed, improvements to the walkway between Bohler and the field house. Compared to the dark, drab walk that's there now, this is a big improvement, especially for the students who make that trek every day.

We've often heard Bill Moos talk about what it will take to stay competitive in football going forward and this operations building has always been a cornerstone idea of his. The improvement from the facilities the team currently uses to what they'll be using in spring 2014 is simply tremendous.

All hail Emperor for Life of Washington State University Bill Moos.

Here's a look at the whole document the Board of Regents is getting.

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Link to the PDF itself on the Board of Regents site.

(Hat tip to Brian Anderson for pulling these pictures off the PDF)