Weber State University’s Stewart Stadium is undergoing a comprehensive renovation project that will completely transform it over a period of four years. The most recent phase of this renovation involves the reconstruction of the east side of the stadium, which was more than 60 years old and was considered to be the oldest surviving original structure on the campus. The new design will include the installation of a brand new football field and running track, while the artificial turf practice field on the west side will also be replaced.
The athletic director of Weber State University, Tim Crompton, is highly enthusiastic about these changes and is confident that the students and the wider community will be equally excited. The east side of the stadium has been sinking for many years, and the extent of this issue is not yet clear. However, the new design for the east side will feature a different layout, which will include a concourse and walkway that will run the length of the middle of the side, providing space for concessions and allowing fans to easily move between two tiers of bleacher seating.
Although the conceptual designs for the new and improved east side stadium structure have not yet been released, the construction plans are set, and work is underway to prepare the stadium for the 2023 football season opener. The final outcome of this renovation project will result in a nearly brand-new Stewart Stadium that will provide a better experience for all its users.
The much-awaited renovations at Weber State University’s Stewart Stadium are in full swing, and the results are expected to bring several improvements to the facility. The renovations, which will take place over the next four years, will result in a reduction of 1,000 to 1,500 seats, bringing the stadium’s capacity to around 15,000. However, this reduction is not a cause for concern, as the athletic director of WSU, Tim Crompton, is optimistic about the changes and believes they will result in a better overall experience for fans and athletes.
One of the major changes is the complete reconstruction of the east side of the stadium, which was over 60 years old and considered to be the oldest original structure on the campus. The new east side will feature a different layout, including a concourse and walkway for fans to move between two tiers of seating, providing a better service from a concessions standpoint. The entire structure will sit a little higher than the old one, which may provide an improvement to sight lines for fans. The bathroom building atop the stadium will remain unchanged.
The west side’s artificial turf practice field will also be replaced, which will bring several benefits, including increased use by the football team and other athletic teams and clubs. The replacement of the lower-campus practice field, which is even older than the stadium surfaces, will allow for better usage by club and intramural programs, the band, and several athletic teams.
The new football field and track will be installed by FieldTurf, and according to Crompton, the university selected the best quality football field available. The recommended maximum life of such football surfaces is 10 years, and the current field has been in use for over a decade, so the replacement will bring a drastic improvement. The new field will feature purple end zones and the cat head part of the primary logo at midfield, providing a fresh look for the fans.
The renovations will, however, disrupt the upcoming outdoor track and field season, as the WSU’s one home meet, usually hosted in combination with the University of Utah, will not be able to host any running events this spring. Some sprinters and jumpers will be able to use parts of the stadium this spring for practice, and Ogden High’s newer track will host some workouts for the Wildcats.