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Temple president outlines effort for a campus football stadium

Temple president Richard M. Englert stated points that have previously been voiced, including a feeling that an on-campus stadium would result in annual cost savings.

Wednesday December 14 2016 Temple Owls introduce Geoff Collins as their new head football coach at a morning press conference held at the Liacouras Center. Here, New Temple football coach Geoff Collins ,center, stands between university president Richard Englert left,and athletic director Pat Kraft who presented him with a team jersey bearing his name  ED HILLE / Staff Photographer
Wednesday December 14 2016 Temple Owls introduce Geoff Collins as their new head football coach at a morning press conference held at the Liacouras Center. Here, New Temple football coach Geoff Collins ,center, stands between university president Richard Englert left,and athletic director Pat Kraft who presented him with a team jersey bearing his name ED HILLE / Staff PhotographerRead moreEd Hile

During his state of the university address on Thursday, Temple president Richard M. Englert says the effort to get an on-campus football stadium built is ongoing. He reiterated several points that have been made in the past.

Temple plays at Lincoln Financial Field. This is the last year of an agreement with the Eagles, but Temple holds two, one-year options. Temple has already exercised its option for 2018 to play at the Linc and is expected to do the same for 2019.

"We also continue to study the potential for a multipurpose facility, including a stadium, classrooms, research space and a retail complex," Englert said in his address. "We are especially studying the potential ramifications of such a facility on the neighbors adjacent to Main Campus."

The stadium is expected to seat 35,000. On Feb. 9, 2016, the Temple Board of Trustees approved a resolution that the construction budget for the football facility shall not exceed $130 million

"If such a facility were to be built, our goal would be a multi-purpose facility that will have benefits for our neighbors as well as the university," Englert said.

He also outlined a point that has been made frequently before, that he feels Temple could save money by building its own facility over continuing to pay rent to play at the Linc.

"In fact, we believe that owning our own facility, rather than renting, would result in a net $2 million to $3 million in annual cost savings," Englert said.

Temple has been meeting with neighbors and community leaders, trying to alleviate any concerns about the stadium being in their neighborhood and outlining the positive impact it would have. The stadium would be situated at the northwest corner of campus, about a block or two north of the Liacouras Center at Broad and Norris Street.