KCCI is reporting that there will be a joint announcement between Drake and the Des Moines Public schools later today. Apparently, there is speculation of a new football stadium east of The Knapp Center.

Just speculation right now.

????. Why would they need to do this? Drake Stadium is obviously old but it's charming and iconic. Too big for our football needs but fills up just fine for Relays.

Cityivew says Drake soccer and HS football. Drake football, I assume, would remain at the main stadium.

http://www.dmcityview.com/civic-skinny/2019/11/06/mike-whalen-wonders-about-buying-register-the-night-they-raided-the-old-cargill-hotel/

As discussed here, the soccer teams played most of their home games away from their actual stadium this year.

https://www.drakenation.com/137366/Soccer-2019

That would make much more sense.

I would be very careful with interpreting too much from this CityView article. This column is much more conjecture than actual facts on a regular basis. I wouldn't get too excited until we see an official announcement somewhere else.

Is this official enough?

https://news.drake.edu/2019/11/13/dmps-drake-partner-to-develop-new-community-stadium/

That's not official by any means. You PRACK!

That’s pretty cool. Impressive they are close to getting this done.

____________________________________

I believe this will be right across the street from the new development approved at the beginning of the year. What a great time to be a Bulldog.  

Right. Just to the east of Shivers

____________________________________

What about the poor owners of the laundrymat? Or the poor folks who have refused to sell in the northeast corner of the block. SAD ... very sad!

I like how it comes with faux fans already in the seats. 

Drake needs to purchase about 12,000 of these by Saturday:



$39 on Amazon.com...but they're reusable, of course.

Is that Reed Timmer?

"The stadium is being configured to host football and soccer games. In addition, contingent upon fundraising, the stadium can accommodate a bubble to activate the facility during the winter months."

Although football won't play its games there, they might practice under the bubble.  

https://www.dmschools.org/news_release/school-board-approves-bids-for-dmps-community-stadium-at-drake-university/?fbclid=IwAR3ASREFYksQ0_5QO-ZBaz6CyseHXBsk1tCBo85yWblh7P_G7VdrK0BcQmE

After pandemic and inflation delays, the stadium build is finally moving forward after a vote tonight. After the initial budget is no longer possible, DMPS has put up and additional million and Drake has agreed to cover the rest.

I do get the uproar about tradition. Also, how about ability to form new traditions. However, upgrade your other facilities and maybe in 10-20 years each school could revisit adding or renovations to current stadium. Anyone play football at against a Chicago school? I know we played games at one of their shared school stadiums.

I attended Waukegan High, all our school district has did is slap a coat of paint on and avoid the discussion of building a new stadium. Meanwhile the rest of our conference has suitable facilities. Yes, Waukegan does struggle financially compared to our opposition but you can fundraise forever until you reach the goal. 

The facility upgrade you speak of is pretty much the plan. Pre-COVID it would have cost at least 3 times more money to renovate the existing school stadiums and that's almost certainly higher now. That said a committee was formed and has already put out a first report on how to get the local school stadiums upgraded over the next many, many, many years.