Colorado State University is getting closer to opening its new football stadium, something that was apparent during a topping off ceremony on Tuesday.
The topping off ceremony refers to the placement of the last piece of structural steel during a construction project. Colorado State took the occasion to celebrate this accomplishment for work on its new football stadium, a roughly $220 million facility that is set to open in 2017. University also saw the occasion as an opportunity to tout the growth that is occurring not only within the football program, but across the entire campus. More from the Coloradoan:
CSU President Tony Frank told the crowd this was one of three “topping off” ceremonies for new facilities on campus this week, saying “we really are in the midst of revitalizing this campus and building a campus that will serve CSU into her second 150 years and serve generations of Rams to come after us.”
The stadium, he said, “is special in that it’s got this unique blend of past, present and future.” He noted the facility will include an alumni center, space for academic advising to help new students chart their course and serve as a central location for gatherings, including football games, “where we’ll get together here and celebrate a lot of great Ram wins and establish a lot of great new traditions.”
Developing Colorado State Stadium is seen a boost in the Colorado State Rams‘ efforts to join the Big 12 conference. The stadium–which is designed to include non-football amenities such as classroom space–comes as the school makes its case to join the Big 12 from the Mountain West Conference, making Tuesday’s ceremony all the more intriguing.
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Rendering of Colorado State Stadium courtesy of Colorado State University.