SEWARD, Neb. – On April 11, Concordia University closed down Bulldog Stadium for a series of renovations set to be completed by Aug. 1, prior to the report date for fall student-athletes. The main upgrades include the installation of a new dual fiber turf and the resurfacing of the track. Electrical systems within the stadium have also been updated. Meanwhile, the Fieldhouse recently received three industrial ceiling fans outfitted with 12-foot blades in effort to keep the building cooler during the hot summer months.
The previous stadium turf had been installed in 2005 while the previous track had been implemented in 1997, replacing the old cinder track. The 11-year-old turf and 19-year-old track had surpassed their expected lifespans. The project is a component of athletic leadership’s collective vision of improving facilities within the department.
Associate Director of Athletics Angela Muller, who serves as coordinator of athletic facilities, has been directly involved with the logistics and planning of the design and look of the soon-to-be improved Bulldog Stadium. “We are always searching for ways to enhance the student-athlete experience while maintaining a safe environment and facility,” Muller said. “The upgrades of a new turf and track resurfacing had been slated for this summer, knowing that both surfaces sustain a high volume of use throughout the academic year. While the stadium will look similar, we’ve stepped it up a notch with a few new additions that will make it more aesthetically pleasing and at the same time, provide more support for the athletes as they carry out the skills and expectations their respective sports require.”
The new turf, with fibers 2.5 inches in length, is designed to look fuller and last roughly 10 years, depending upon usage. The Bulldog “C” logo will remain a fixture at midfield with accompanying secondary “C” logos at both 25-yard lines.
The track has already received a resurfacing that involved six coats of five millimeter overlay, which repaired all low spots. The same surfacing was applied to runways, including the javelin runway on the east part of campus. The track will now give off a deeper red look as opposed to the pinkish hue that had developed as the previous track faded. The red coloring fits with the background of campus brick buildings that dot the west side of the stadium.
Along with the electrical updates within the stadium, outlets and data capabilities were improved, giving Concordia the capability to use its own timing system down the road. The electrical systems updates will also expand to the press box located on the east side of the stadium. Other stadium enhancements include more efficient drainage, repainted goal posts and repainting of the blue coloring on the stadium press box. Director of Facilities Rick Ihde has worked closely with construction crews on the carrying out of the athletic department’s renovation plans.
The second phase of the stadium remodel will take place during the summer of 2017. Plans for the next round of renovations include (among other items) the placement of a cross in the north end zone, modernization of the fencing surrounding the stadium, extension of the east bleachers and removal of the west bleachers. The absence of the visitor’s bleachers will open up space for events to be held prior to and during athletic competitions.