CSU initiates process for new women's athletic complex

FORT COLLINS, Colo.— Colorado State announced Wednesday that the school has initiated the planning process to build a $6.3-$6.5 million women’s athletic facility on the west end of campus.

The facility will serve both the soccer and softball programs and will be located near Moby Arena, where the football team used to practice before getting a new facility outside of Canvas Stadium.

“We’ve talked a lot about what we want it to be,” CSU athletic director Joe Parker said in an interview with csurams.com.

“One thing I want to see us do is build something that feels uniquely Colorado State, that feels like it’s a unified complex. I think we’ll be able to achieve that, and we’ll be able to create the best fan experience possible for both programs.”

In order to pursue design options and program plans, the university has approved a budget of $300,000. Those funds will be funded through an extension of a student fee of $5.07 per semester. The student fee was originally set to expire after last year after CSU paid off a previous bond used to complete construction work on Moby Arena.

“It is extremely important. Obviously, we always to make consistent investments in our programs,” Parker said.

“Soccer is starting its seventh season, and they’ve played at three different locations without any permanent facility. We knew two seasons ago when they landed inside the fence line that once had been the football practice fields that was our first step at permanence for them. Softball has played at a facility that has not received much modification in 25 years. It was time.

“You try to cross priorities off the list, and we’re finally at the point and time where we’re able to focus a lot of resources and planning in place to make sure these two sports get what I would deem best-of-class facilities.”

According to Parker, the initial investment will get CSU to a point where they can further evaluate the costs of the project and lock down a development plan for it all.

“I’m kinda like pinching myself right now,” softball coach Jen Fisher told csurams.com.

“To be a part of this is really exciting. It’s something that speaks a lot toward our leadership at Colorado State, and the student support, that was just incredible. You want to have a great game-day experience as well, and they’re supporting the women’s programs, as well. For me to have a little bit of a voice while I’m a coach here is exciting.”