Significant progress being made on Saluki Way
08/21/2009 | 12:00:00 | General
Aug. 21, 2009
By Beth Miller
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - While driving down Highway 51 past campus, take a look at the construction site just outside SIU Arena, and it is clear the Saluki Way project is making rapid progress.
Exactly how much progress has been made was explained by Associate Athletics Director Jason King, who is overseeing the project for the department.
"The contractors are doing a good job of moving the project forward," King said. "Because of the wet summer, we are working hard in an attempt to keep the project on schedule. We are just hoping for dryer days ahead as we head into the fall." King broke the construction down into three separate areas -- the football stadium, the arena, and the 50,000-square foot team facility.
The most noticeable change is the construction of the new football stadium east of the arena. The slabs have been laid, creating a foundation for the skeleton of the stadium to be built. Concrete floors have been poured for the concession stands as well as bathrooms, and underground utilities have been put in place.
Substantial progress is being made on the arena renovation. A new roof for the building will be completed in three weeks and will be followed by the re-roofing of Lingle Hall, where the administrative offices are located. The old, wooden bleachers on the lower-level have been removed on the north and south ends, and new seating will be installed at the end of this month. Other improvements include concrete footings and groundwork for the permanent upper bowl and a sprinkler system for fire safety. Brickwork for the new entrance on the west side of the arena will begin on Monday.
Foundation walls for the team facility have been poured and are curing, and erection of the steel frame of the building has just begun.
While much of the progress is not visible to passersby, King said fans will start seeing the formation of buildings in approximately 30 days.
