By Josh Margolis
HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Work is continuing on Montana State University-Northern’s new football complex.
The dirt has been moved out of the bowl, footings are being inserted for the press box, and the final grade is on the field itself.
However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic slowing down manufacturing of materials such as field turf, Chancellor Greg Kegel says the estimated completion date has been moved back to October 1st.
“That’s kind of a little bit of a factor in us pushing the date back. The same thing with the people that manufacture the bleachers. They’re made elsewhere and then brought in and assembled.”
Kegel says there is a plan in place for home games prior to October if the season is played as scheduled.
“We’ll just use Blue Pony Stadium for those. We’ve got some arrangements with the High School for practice as well. So we’ve got a contingency plan.”
As of Monday, the University was still about 15 percent short of the estimated $3 million needed to complete Phase One.
However, Kegel says the University has a four year bridge loan with Independence Bank that will allow them to finish construction even if they don’t secure the funds in the near future.
