Canvas Stadium 10 Year Anniversary: Groundbreaking

The approval came at the end of 2014. Three months later, $239 million in financing was secured and a couple of months later, the land for the multi-purpose, on-campus stadium was prepped.

With Hughes Stadium still the home for Colorado State football, a groundbreaking ceremony for what would become known as Canvas Stadium took place Sept. 12, 2015, hours before the team played Minnesota.

A pet project of then-CSU President Tony Frank was moving forward with intentional pace, a plan laid out for the football team to move into its new home for the 2017 season. More than that, Frank believed a missing centerpiece for campus was in the works, one which would serve as a community center for Colorado State and the Northern Colorado community as a whole, and 10 years later, he's been proven correct.

The materials of concrete, steel, rebar, dirt and stone would be turned into a facility praised by those around the country as one of the best college facilities in the nation. The New Belgium porch was designed as a gateway to campus, the concourse designed so a view of the field was never impacted.

Populous was the architect, and Mortenson, a local construction company with strong Colorado State ties, was selected as the builder. Former CSU football player Cameron Moss was part of their team as a project engineer. He had done an internship with Mortenson his senior year, and his primary role during construction was that of managing the interior scope, including the concrete/masonry unit as well as the framing of walls and drywall partitions

"I feel like with this one, there is something definitely special for me because of my connection to the football program and my connection to the university," Moss said at the time. "That's why we do what we do. When the building opens, you get to see it used for its intended purpose, and in this case, people enjoying the fruits of everybody's labor. This one has a little bit extra for me because of the ties to the football program and the university."

The major excavation began in October of 2016, and in August, an additional ceremony was held for the raising of the topping-out beam. In April of 2017, the first sections of the playing surface were installed. Then, on June 9, 2017, with substantial completing, Colorado State took over occupancy.

The first special event came less than a month later, a wedding on July 3.

Seen as a football stadium by many, the Iris & Michael Smith Alumni Center is located in the northeast corner. With it came the return of the Old Main Bell to campus, which is rung each game day by an alumnus. The remainder of the east side of the building supports additional academic spaces.

The Hall of Champions is the main entrance for premium seat holders, a place where the history of the program and the athletic program is on display. The Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies Field Club is one of the most unique spaces in college football, granting fans a field-level view of the action.

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