In the wake and emotion of our latest football game, let us change subjects.
Ross-Ade stadium needs to be replaced…
Yeah...that is a pretty bold statement. However, I would like to start little dialog on our old beloved football stadium, and why I feel it needs to be replaced, sooner than later…
Who am I…?
Let cut to it, why should Ross-Ade be replaced…
Ross-Ade stadium needs to be replaced…
Yeah...that is a pretty bold statement. However, I would like to start little dialog on our old beloved football stadium, and why I feel it needs to be replaced, sooner than later…
Who am I…?
- Former football player from the middle 1970’s, and who worked a couple of football seasons as a graduate assistant coach.
- I have both a BS/MS in Civil Engineering from Purdue, and I am a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) and Structural Engineer (SE) in several states.
- I have not posted a lot on this forum the last couple of years; I have been busy on other matters.
Let cut to it, why should Ross-Ade be replaced…
- Aging infrastructure…the lower concrete section was constructed in the early 1920’s, and upper steel section was construction in the mid 1950’s. It is hard to speculate just how long these structural elements are going to last. My best guess, with regular inspection, maintenance and repair; 50 years maximum. Keep in mind, unlike an enclosed heated building; the main structural support elements for Ross-Ade are exposed to the cold and rain. I was at the Purdue/Michigan State game last season, and tried to do a visual inspection of the upper steel section, but it was next to impossible with all the layers of paint. My best guess, the steel superstructure is in good, but not excellence condition.
- Poor access – located just off Northwestern Avenue, it has to be one of the hardest college stadiums in the county to drive to.
- Limited parking – very few college stadium in the country have adequate parking just adjacent to their stadium; however, as you all know, Purdue has probably one of the smallest stadium parking lots in the Big Ten.
- Very bad ingress/egress for fans into the stadium, especially on both the east and west side.
- Very stadium poor amenities – restrooms, concession stands, gift stores…you know the picture.
- A very poor recruiting tool…while other schools have expanded, modernized, upgraded or even replaced their stadium; Purdue has done very little to Ross-Ade. Yeah, I know $70 million of upgrades have been put into Ross-Ade during Burke’s tenure, but a large new press box is not going to sell recruits into coming to Purdue. It is (at its core) a very old and outdated facility that doesn’t exactly inspire much into young high school recruits.
- Recruiting, recruiting, recruiting…yes, who wouldn’t want to play in a new state of the art facility.
- Increased attendance, you make game day a more enjoyable experience, more fans are going to come to the game, instead of watching it on TV.
- Positive effect on Purdue Basketball…yes, that right, if you build a new football stadium at a new location, and tear down Ross-Ade. That opens up all the property just west of Mackey Arena for expanded parking, improved access and possible new athletic facilities that support basketball (both men and women).
- If designed and constructed correctly, a new football stadium that should serve Purdue well into the next century, and beyond.
- Costs – yes, the big elephant in room. I guessing a minimum of $400 million at today’s construction prices, probably more. Does anyone know a super-rich alumnus that is willing to denote a couple $100 million to the cause?
- Use – it a large multi-million dollar facility that is only used a few times a year.
- Right on top of the existing location. You get a new stadium, save some costs, but it doesn’t solve a lot of the existing problems like parking and access. Plus, you will have to play games off campus (like Lucas Oil?) for 3 to 4 years while the new stadium is being built.
- Just to the north or northwest of existing Ross-Ade stadium. You reconfigure the South Golf Course, and probably buy out and tear down some of the Hilltop apartments. You continue to play football at Ross-Ade during construction of the new stadium. However, game days are going to be a big mess, with very limited parking and access. Again, you get a new stadium, but it doesn’t solve a lot of the problems you already have with Ross-Ade.
- The intersection of Cherry Lane and McCormick Road, Purdue is already building new athletic facilities at this location, with plenty of space to work with. Plus, it has direct access to the new Ray Ewry Highway.
- The woods south of Cherry Lane, and just west of the golf maintenance buildings. I don’t know the history or story of this piece of property, but a new stadium would fit nicely into this space.
- Just north of the Purdue Airport. The recreation fields just southeast of the intersection of State Street and Airport Road. Nice large piece of property with good access to new Ray Ewry Highway.
- Any better ideas?
- If Minnesota and Colorado State can build a new stadium, why can’t we?
- Purdue needs to make a bold statement, because without a new stadium, Purdue will always be a 2nd Tier football program, wishing to be a 1st Tier program.
- Build it, and they will come… (yes, from the Kevin Costner movie)
- I don’t believe we have a choice. In my humble opinion, Ross-Ade stadium is only going to last another 50 years, at most. We need to start the planning process now.
Last edited:
