WSU athletics hopes to replace bubble with permanent structure

The Washington State University indoor practice facility commonly referred to as "the bubble" may soon be replaced by a permanent structure if some in the athletic department get their wish.

The Board of Regents will discuss during its meeting March 26-27 in the Tri-Cities enabling the department to consult with an architecture firm for an updated design and cost estimate.

John Johnson, senior associate director of athletics at WSU, said the department would like to add 15 yards to the permanent structuring, making the facility, which will accommodate multiple sports and include locker rooms and offices, roughly 100,000 square feet.

The facility, phase one of which was approved by the regents in 2001 and completed in 2002, was originally designed as a permanent rather than an air-supported structure, or bubble, which is a temporary structure, Johnson said.

Original plans for the facility, as announced by former WSU Athletic Director Rick Dickson in 1999, called for a brick building featuring men's and women's locker rooms containing 150 lockers each and a netting system to store 40-50 yards of turf pads, according to previous reports by the Daily News.

In lieu of the $14 million building, the $9.7 million temporary facility project began in October 2001 and was opened for use by December 2002.

"The footing for the facility and air-supported structure was constructed with the thought of a permit building being installed in its place," Johnson said.

Athletic department officials hope to update the original design plan, which is now about 15 years old, Johnson said.

"What we're trying to do is determine the most efficient design," Johnson said.

Associate Director of Athletics Bill Stevens said all WSU sports teams are able to use the facility depending on their needs. Stevens said the bubble is widely used by track, baseball, football and soccer teams.

Johnson said the project would be funded by donations to the WSU athletic department.

The department's proposal was discussed by the regents during its Jan. 29-30 meeting in Vancouver and will be presented as an action item in March.

Shanon Quinn can be reached at (208) 883-4636, or by email to squinn@dnews.com.