Laramie4OKC
13 Aug 2002, 11:18 AM
Daily Oklahoman Link:
http://www.newsok.com/cgi-bin/show_article?ID=900695&pic=none&TP=getcommunity
Stadium plan may receive kick-start
2002-08-13
By Kenna Griffin
The Oklahoman
EDMOND -- Negotiations between the University of Central Oklahoma and the Edmond school district about renovation to the university's Wantland Stadium could get another player.
And the 40-year-old stadium, which the three Edmond high schools and the university use for football games, might be getting another sport.
UCO and school officials have been working on a partnership agreement that would require each to pay for part of renovations the stadium needs and allow the school district to become a part owner.
Now the possibility looms that a professional soccer team could locate in Edmond and possibly become a tenant for a revamped Wantland Stadium.
Under the agreement the school district and university have been negotiating, the stadium would be remodeled to include additional and updated seating, concession stands, an improved press box, additional and updated rest rooms and a new scoreboard.
Officials from the school district and university said the partnership would be beneficial because it would allow the entities to split the cost of renovating the stadium.
School officials said that as part owners, the district would no longer have to pay to use the stadium for high school football games.
Speculation this summer that Edmond could land a Major Soccer League franchise has sparked additional interest in Wantland Stadium as a site for the team's home games.
University officials began talking in July with Brad Lund, chief executive officer of Express Sports, which is interested in bringing a Major League Soccer franchise to the Oklahoma City area.
The idea of a soccer stadium was first suggested for Bricktown, but attention centered on Edmond when Oklahoma City leaders expressed no interest in a downtown soccer stadium.
Major League Soccer officials recently announced that they will not add teams until 2004 at the earliest. The organization's commissioner said the league needs to expand, but will not do so until it has the right market, owner and facilities. There was no mention of ongoing discussions with Edmond officials.
University spokesman Charlie Johnson said the university is continuing its discussions with Edmond schools, but officials are open to adding more partners and bankrolls to the project.
If the partnership grows to include a professional soccer team, Johnson said, the stadium will need different types of renovations. With soccer, use of the stadium would increase.
"We would use Wantland about eight months out of the year instead of four," he said.
City Manager Larry Stevens said city officials also are discussing the possible presence of a soccer team in Edmond. He said a task force will look at the possibility from the city's perspective.
If the soccer team comes the city will be involved, Stevens said. He said it is unclear what that involvement will be.
Edmond Schools Superintendent David Goin estimates the remodeling for the high schools and university will cost between $8 million and $9 million. It is uncertain what the remodeling will cost for expansions needed to support a soccer team.
Goin said the district's portion of the money would need to come from a bond issue. He said voters could expect to see a bond issue question as early as fall.
Goin said a partnership is important to create a better stadium than would be possible without the joint effort.
Edmond's three high schools -- North, Memorial and Santa Fe -- play football games at the stadium. Goin said the district pays the university between $30,000 and $40,000 a year to rent the stadium.
He said junior varsity football teams play at the high schools' fields, which are not adequate for 6A play.
High school games on Thursdays and Fridays and a college game Saturday puts a lot of wear and tear on Wantland's field, Goin said.
The school district and university could move forward with the project as soon as this winter, Goin said. He said work on the stadium is at least two school years away.
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http://www.newsok.com/cgi-bin/show_article?ID=900695&pic=none&TP=getcommunity
Stadium plan may receive kick-start
2002-08-13
By Kenna Griffin
The Oklahoman
EDMOND -- Negotiations between the University of Central Oklahoma and the Edmond school district about renovation to the university's Wantland Stadium could get another player.
And the 40-year-old stadium, which the three Edmond high schools and the university use for football games, might be getting another sport.
UCO and school officials have been working on a partnership agreement that would require each to pay for part of renovations the stadium needs and allow the school district to become a part owner.
Now the possibility looms that a professional soccer team could locate in Edmond and possibly become a tenant for a revamped Wantland Stadium.
Under the agreement the school district and university have been negotiating, the stadium would be remodeled to include additional and updated seating, concession stands, an improved press box, additional and updated rest rooms and a new scoreboard.
Officials from the school district and university said the partnership would be beneficial because it would allow the entities to split the cost of renovating the stadium.
School officials said that as part owners, the district would no longer have to pay to use the stadium for high school football games.
Speculation this summer that Edmond could land a Major Soccer League franchise has sparked additional interest in Wantland Stadium as a site for the team's home games.
University officials began talking in July with Brad Lund, chief executive officer of Express Sports, which is interested in bringing a Major League Soccer franchise to the Oklahoma City area.
The idea of a soccer stadium was first suggested for Bricktown, but attention centered on Edmond when Oklahoma City leaders expressed no interest in a downtown soccer stadium.
Major League Soccer officials recently announced that they will not add teams until 2004 at the earliest. The organization's commissioner said the league needs to expand, but will not do so until it has the right market, owner and facilities. There was no mention of ongoing discussions with Edmond officials.
University spokesman Charlie Johnson said the university is continuing its discussions with Edmond schools, but officials are open to adding more partners and bankrolls to the project.
If the partnership grows to include a professional soccer team, Johnson said, the stadium will need different types of renovations. With soccer, use of the stadium would increase.
"We would use Wantland about eight months out of the year instead of four," he said.
City Manager Larry Stevens said city officials also are discussing the possible presence of a soccer team in Edmond. He said a task force will look at the possibility from the city's perspective.
If the soccer team comes the city will be involved, Stevens said. He said it is unclear what that involvement will be.
Edmond Schools Superintendent David Goin estimates the remodeling for the high schools and university will cost between $8 million and $9 million. It is uncertain what the remodeling will cost for expansions needed to support a soccer team.
Goin said the district's portion of the money would need to come from a bond issue. He said voters could expect to see a bond issue question as early as fall.
Goin said a partnership is important to create a better stadium than would be possible without the joint effort.
Edmond's three high schools -- North, Memorial and Santa Fe -- play football games at the stadium. Goin said the district pays the university between $30,000 and $40,000 a year to rent the stadium.
He said junior varsity football teams play at the high schools' fields, which are not adequate for 6A play.
High school games on Thursdays and Fridays and a college game Saturday puts a lot of wear and tear on Wantland's field, Goin said.
The school district and university could move forward with the project as soon as this winter, Goin said. He said work on the stadium is at least two school years away.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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© 2002, Produced by NewsOK