EWU board of trustees, Foundation reach agreement on red turf project

By JOHN McCALLUM

Editor

Eastern Washington University's board of trustees unanimously agreed to accept a memorandum of understanding between the university and the EWU Foundation for a gift in place, clearing the way for last Saturday's ground breaking for installation of artificial turf at Eastern's Woodward Field. The project is scheduled for completion by fall's football season, in time for the home opener with Montana on Sept. 18.

The Foundation, a non-profit organization established in 1977 to stimulate voluntary private gift support for the university, has agreed to “design, construct and fund the artificial turf surface” at Woodward Field as a gift to the university. The agreement grants the Foundation access to the stadium for the duration of the project, while also requiring it to obtain and pay for all aspects of the project, including permits, so there is no cost to the university.

The board of trustees had originally scheduled a vote on the MOU for its regular meeting on May 20, but tabled any discussion or action. At a special meeting on May 27 held via conference call the board accepted the MOU with a change that requires the Foundation not initiate the project until it has obtained $228,551 in funding.

The board also directed EWU President Dr. Rodolfo Arévalo to exercise “due diligence” in making sure the agreement-required amount of 25 percent cash on hand is in place and that pledges totaling 100 percent of the project's cost are in place.

University media relation specialist Dave Meany said June 4 that the estimated total cost of the turf project is $824,000. So far the Foundation has accumulated over $1 million in pledges, with the excess going towards future Woodward projects that include a new scoreboard.

Meany said the Foundation has reached 100 percent of its fundraising goal, and currently does have the required 25 percent cash on hand. Part of the funding includes a $500,000 donation from former EWU football player and graduate Michael Roos, currently a Pro-Bowl lineman with the NFL's Tennessee Titans.

Eastern's trustees approved changing the name of the stadium to Roos Field at its May 20 meeting, pending completion of the turf project.

The proposed artificial turf has attracted some national attention because of its color – red, making it one of two college football venues – the other is Boise State University's blue turf – to forego the traditional green to simulate grass.

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].