Entire Bison football indoor project may be completed sooner than anticipated

FARGO — The North Dakota State indoor football practice facility that was originally slated to be built in two phases is beginning to look more like a one-and-done construction project. Funding for the second part appears to be moving faster than anticipated.

Site work began last month at what was formerly two grass and one artificial practice fields south of the Sanford Health Athletic Complex on campus. The project, known as the Nodak Insurance Company Football Performance Complex, got a $37.2 construction authority from the state Board of Higher Education, but NDSU athletic director Matt Larsen said it will probably be closer to $34 to $35 million.

Phase 2 is expected to be around $15 million bringing the total project cost to around $50 million. Larsen said the hope is to finalize fundraising by December.

“There are a handful of folks we’re having conversations with,” he said. “Hopefully we can piece it together with them.”

Finalizing Phase 2 earlier than anticipated could cut down on the construction timeline.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to start some of that before Phase 1 is complete,” Larsen said. “There are some pieces that are tied in together.”

Phase 1 consists mainly of the main indoor field, which will be 72 feet at its peak. Seven overhead doors to the east can open for easy access to the outdoor artificial turf field with the plan for it to be done by the time the Bison begin practice next fall. Phase 2 includes support amenities like a weight room, nutrition station, training room, equipment room and recruiting area.

“Obviously Phase 1 is incredibly important, but Phase 2 is a lot of the behind-the-scenes operational pieces so people see as much value in that as they do in the practice area as well,” Larsen said.

The entire project is being privately funded. Public disclosure of donors has been limited, although the athletic department identified Gate City Bank, Scheels All Sports, Team Makers booster club and alums Bob Yaggie, Bruce Yaggie, Terry Hanson and Tom Blattner when announcing the project last spring.

1/3: The old North Dakota State football practice fields are a collection of mostly underground site work with the construction of the indoor football complex. Jeff Kolpack / The Forum.

2/3: Construction on the Nodak Insurance Company Football Performance Complex could include Phase 2 sooner than anticipated. Jeff Kolpack / The Forum

3/3: The interior of the Nodak Insurance Company Football Performance Complex. NDSU Athletics photo