One of the last details still to be determined in the Saluki Way project is also one of the biggest.
Jason King, associate athletic director, said the athletic department is working on picking the company it will use for the scoreboards, which will go into the new football stadium and the renovated SIU Arena.
King said the scoreboards would be state-of-the-art and include large video screens.
“I think within the next month, we’ll be able to announce who we went with and eventually unveil some of the renderings of what the scoreboards are going to look like,” King said. “I think that’s a very exciting part of the project.”
King said the scoreboards are the last big element administrators are working on with planning for Saluki Way.
Saluki Way is the massive overhaul on the east side of campus. The first phase carries a price tag of $83 million with $20 million coming from a tax imposed by the city of Carbondale, $41.5 million coming from student fees and the remaining $21.5 million coming through private donations.
Athletic Director Mario Moccia said the good weather last week allowed a lot of progression on the project.
“We’re as up to speed as we’ve ever been from a construction schedule standpoint,” Moccia said. “It’s been pretty amazing to see what they’ve been able to accomplish so far.”
Moccia said the press box at the new stadium is almost at its full height, and just a few more pieces of steel need to be installed.
King said weather would no longer play a major factor in the construction of the addition to the arena because a metal sheet is now covering the top, and the roof construction will begin next week.
“When it rains, water still gets through on that upper level, but, for the most part, we’re able to continue working over there when we have weather issues,” King said. “When we get that roof put on, that will even make it more permanent.”
King said except for the new concession stands, bathrooms and a few other small things, construction on SIU Arena has been halted until the season is over.
Moccia said the department has almost reached the halfway point for the $21.5 million needed in private funding with about $9.7 million in cash and pledges.
“People still are making pledges everyday,” Moccia said. “We have a ton of people on the prospect list. We feel really good about where we are right now.”
Moccia said with the football team competing in the playoffs and basketball season now beginning, a surge in private donations could be expected.
“I think we’re unbelievably fortunate to have teams winning right at the cusp of this,” Moccia said. “It sure helps when teams win.”
Stile Smith can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 259 or sts34@siu.edu.
