Valley Football Center Taking Shape
May 19, 2016 | Football
The staff of OSUBeavers.com recently caught up with Mark Massari, Deputy Athletic Director for Capital Projects and Internal Operations, to update the status of the Valley Football Center expansion project. The $42 million project will expand and renovate the home of the Beavers' football program with the expanded locker room, sports medicine facility and equipment room being of particular note. Massari explains the many other upgrades and amenities to the facility during the conversation.
Our fundraising effort continues to push forward as we work toward our $42M goal. To date we have raised approximately 93 percent the funds needed to complete the fundraising phase of the project. We will continue to work with Beaver Nation until we reach and/or surpass that goal. Those interested in supporting this transformation project should visit www.victorythroughvalley.com.
Q. Since 2005, how much has been invested in the facilities that support the student-athletes at Oregon State, and what does that encompass?
A. The expansion and renovation of the Valley Football Center will bring us to approximately the $200 million mark in construction and improvements to athletics facilities and student-athlete support areas since 2001. That total includes the Merritt Truax Indoor Center, Raising Reser I and II (expansion of Reser Stadium), renovations of Goss Stadium at Coleman Field, the Tommy Prothro Football Complex (practice fields) and the addition of such facilities as the Whyte Track & Field Center, the Beth Ray Center for Academic Support, the OSU Basketball Center, the Sports Performance Center, the Dale Thomas Wrestling Room, Samaritan Sports Medicine Center and the Ossey Golf Center. We're also fully replacing the FieldTurf in the Truax Center, so the commitment on student-athlete support services will continue to rise.
Q. What is the current timeline of the Valley Football Center (#VtV)?
A. The project rolls out in three phases: first to come online in August will be a new locker room, field and first floor support areas (sports medicine and equipment), the north end zone (The Terrace), and renovations to the football offices and the players' lounge. In late fall the north entrance, lobby, media room and football hall of fame will be completed (the building will be formally dedicated at this time). The final piece will be the new auditorium completed in approximately February of 2017. Although the building will still be under construction during the season, it will not interfere with day-to-day operations or game-day activities.
Q. What effect does current construction have on the football staff and student-athletes?
A. The staff has been relocated to temporary spaces in Gill Coliseum and trailers near the facility. The Performance Table, which feeds student-athletes several times a day, has moved to Club Level in Reser Stadium and will remain there through August. The football student-athletes are currently utilizing the “visitors” locker room within Gill Coliseum.
Q. What is scheduled to be completed prior to the home opener?
A. The new locker room, sports medicine and equipment facilities, loading dock, north end zone concourse and seats (the Terrace), team meeting rooms and football offices. A renovated Gate E and the northwest ramp to the field will also be ready for the home opener against Idaho State on September 17.
Q. How will parking for home games be impacted?
A. We will lose a few parking rows near the Valley Football Center as we continue to build the north entrance and auditorium phases of the project, but those are primarily spaces we use for staff on game-day. We are diving into this now to make sure we accommodate tailgating and overall access to the lots. In addition, all ADA spaces are being relocated so we will be fully compliant.
Q. Will fans be able to tour the facility once it is completed?
A. We will provide donors a glimpse of the building as it begins to take shape. Once the north entrance, lobby, and hall of fame are completed in November, we will schedule an open house of sorts, in addition to an official building dedication. Although those areas will be available to the public when completed, fans won't be able to access beyond that due to those areas only available to student-athletes and staff.
Q. What are some of the unique features of the VFC?
A. The 53-yard wide locker room is one of them. It's huge! We've added two therapy pools (built by Oregon firm Anderson Poolworks) that have mosaic tiled Beaver logos on the bottom of each. The pools and sauna for the players are located in the locker room, which is unique to this facility. Fans will notice we've moved the former Gate D to the east side, where student-athletes/recruits and The Terrace ticket holders will enter. We have also renumbered the sections in the northwest and The Terrance sections (17-18 and 19-25). The Terrace ticket holders can enter the stadium from the new Gate D or the new west side Gate. I'm very excited about The Terrace and the spacious north end zone. Fans in those seats will have an amazing view of the field and the video board, plus unique food and drink concepts we are introducing for that area. We have also decided against installing nets for field goals/extra points, so the footballs will still fly into Beaver Nation. Another unique concept is the deck off the player's lounge, which will be utilized as a premium seating area on game days.
Q. When completed what will be the size of the building?
A. In total, the new Valley Football Center will be approximately 119,000-square feet. The project will add 37,870-square feet and renovate 25,830-square feet of existing space. The new total includes the north concourse and seating which will be 25,500-square feet alone. In other words -- `Massive!'
Q. Will the seating capacity change at Reser Stadium?
A. Capacity will go from 45,674 to 43,363.
Q. How is the project funded?
A. It's earmarked as a donor-funded project. In December 2014, with OSU Foundation leadership and President Ray, we had the public announcement of two anonymous gifts, totally $25 million. This kicked off the $42 million “Victory through Valley” campaign. We are now closing in on the $42 million goal. Although we are green-lit to build all three phases of the project, the fundraising has not ended. The development team in Our Beaver Nation is working hard every day to fill the last gap in the goal and I'm confident the goal will be reached. (to learn more visit victorythroughvalley.com).
Q. Will the mammoth bone be featured in the vicinity of the facility?
A. We have no plans for that. We realize the find made tremendous news and will forever be a part of Beaver football and the project, but the bones are being preserved and studied by Dr. (Loren) Davis (associate professor of anthropology at OSU) and by faculty within the College of Science. For the near future, the bones will continue to serve the university as a valuable research and teaching opportunity.
Q. Will fans be allowed to access the VFC during games?
A. Although the building will be fully operational for staff, student-athletes and support staff, we will provide access for the public into the football hall of fame, lobby and the front entrance when it is finished. Beaver Nation will be able to visit those impressive areas to enjoy the displays and soak up our history of All-Americans, bowl games and great moments. For the upcoming season, guests to the Fan Cave and the OSU Foundation's event on the second and third floors, respectively, will check in and access the building off Ralph Miller Drive near the northeast ramp. We will have clear signage indicating access points. In 2017, OSU Foundation and Fan Cave guests will enter from the new front entrance lobby.
Q. Once completed, does the administration's focus become the west side of the stadium?
A. Ever since Raising Reser I in 2002 (when the campaign was launched), Reser Stadium's master plan has been in four phases – Phases 1 and 2 (Raising Reser I and II – east side and south end zone), Phase 3 (VFC) and Phase 4 is the west side.
Q. Is there a timeline for the renovation of the west side?
A. We completed some initial scope and design work with an architect two years ago, and we are beginning to increase our attention on this facet again. We aren't ready to put a timeframe on the renovation of that side of the stadium, but it is a priority for the leadership and our Vice President/Director of Athletics Todd Stansbury has a great vision for it.
Q. What other projects are in the plans for the future of OSU Athletics?
A. The list is long, but Gill Coliseum is a major focus right now, in addition to finishing the second phase of the Whyte Track & Field Complex. Several of our Olympic sports have capital project needs as well and we are devising a plan to philanthropically address each one. We also have a plan for improving a few things at Goss Stadium at Coleman Field before next season as well, including possible alterations to the Omaha Room and expansion down the right field concourse. Our donors have always stepped up for our programs and student-athletes, and we're excited to move forward to create the best possible experiences for our student-athletes, coaches and Beaver Nation.
Additional Valley Football Center Expansion & Renovation Facts:
- Pouring cement on north end-zone and locker room level has begun
- Demolition of current locker-room, coaches' offices and sports medicine spaces is underway Project architect is HNTB, who also designed Raising Reser I and II, the Sports Performance Center, Dale Thomas Wrestling Room, Beth Ray Student Success Center and the OSU Basketball Center.
- Hunt/Fortis Construction, a joint venture, are the general contractors. Hunt was involved with Raising Reser I (east side) and Fortis Construction, Inc. is a Portland-based contractor with extensive work in the private sector and at local universities including OSU's Learning Innovation Center, INTO Living Learning Center, William Tebeau Residence Hall and Furman Hall Renovation
- For more information on Beaver football season tickets access beavertickets.com\pac-12-sales
- For info on the Valley Football Center Victory through Valley campaign, visit victorythroughvalley.com.
