Committee suggests naming architect for new stadium
Originally published Oct. 21, 1965
Only $70,000 short of its subscription goal, the Eastern New Mexico University stadium fund advisory committee has recommended that an architect be selected and has picked a target date to kick off the final phase of its fund-raising campaign.
The 10,000-seat stadium, expected to cost $400,000, will be ready for its first football game by the fall of 1967 if plans of the community leaders in Clovis and Portales go according to schedule.
Acting on recommendations of the committee, Dr. Charles W. Meister, Eastern president, will propose to the University Board of Regents at its October meeting that an architect be employed to draft sketches of the athletic stadium and provide approximate cost-per-seat factors.
If the Board of Regents gives the go-ahead as expected, the concluding phase of the fund drive will be launched Nov. 1. Committee members indicated the campaign could be successfully concluded in a matter of weeks after that date.
When the $70,000 in subscriptions has been pledged the fund will amount to $200,000 and will be matched by a similar amount through revenue bonds. The stadium, and earth-filled structure, will be located on University-owned land at the old state part between Portales and Clovis on U.S. Highway 70.
The stadium will be planned so additional seats can be added as the need arises.
Committee members were unanimous in agreeing that the stadium will be a definite economic asset to the two communities plus a vital addition to the Eastern physical plant. Dr. Meister told the group the University needs the land on which the present stadium is located for classroom facilities.
Skyrocketing enrollment at Eastern—a 19 percent-plus overall increase and a 37 percent increase in the freshman class this fall—was another factor emphasized by the committee.
UPDATE:
The proposed stadium opened in 1968 and has since served as the home field for the ENMU football team. Students will vote October 2-4 on whether to increase student fees in order to partially fund a new multipurpose facility to be used for football, soccer, track and field, and intramurals, as well as a practice field for football and marching band. The new stadium would sit across from University Avenue near the current soccer field.