A plan to expand the capabilities of Appalachian State University’s football program may involve student fees, said Robert L. Shaffer, associate vice chancellor for public affairs.
    “Private dollars alone will not fund it,” said Shaffer. “Student fees may come into the picture.”
    While committee members are saying nothing has been concretely determined in the way of funding, Jane P. Helm, vice chancellor for business affairs, said university dollars will be used and student fees are “certainly part of institutional funds.”
    Shaffer said the plan has not been proposed yet and is only recommended by the committee.
    The plan includes renovating Varsity Gymnasium, expanding Owens Field House as well as Kidd Brewer Stadium and resurfacing the playing field.
    Roachel J. Laney, director of athletics and committee member, said the tentative dollar amount for the project ranges from $13 to $30 million.
    The plan came from the Football Opportunities Study Committee. The 30-member committee formed last February by Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski includes faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends.
    Laney said the committee broke into four sub-committees concentrating on facilities, marketing, finances and competition.
    The facilities sub-committee decided three months ago to hire Davidson Consulting Group (DCG), out of Davidson, Laney said.
    According to committee meeting minutes for the June 21-22 meetings, four consultants were brought before the committee. George Goodyear, chair of the committee, said the committee must have “a feasible study of how much money ASU can raise, a building and design plan for a facility and a marketing plan for the ASU football program.”
    The consulting group reported four possible plans including: remodeling the Dwight W. Quinn Recreation Center for football needs, building a 30,000-square-foot indoor practice facility or building a 120,000 square foot football center. Each plan included increasing Kidd Brewer Stadium’s seating capacity toward 25,000.
    Goodyear said the committee unanimously approved a plan to improve the football program.
    Laney said the committee decided upon a plan that would turn Varsity Gym into an indoor practice facility. The football team would still use Kidd Brewer Stadium as their practice facility the majority of the season, but in the winter and off-season, the indoor facility would be a must.
    Owens Field House will also be expanded in the plan. The expansion would include spaces for those offices now in Broome-Kirk Gym, female locker rooms, improved gates and an expanded weight room facility. The current Astroturf in Kidd Brewer Stadium will also be replaced with a more up-to-date grass-like turf suitable for most sports.
    Kidd Brewer Stadium will see expanded seating with a visitors’ side guest box, an expanded student seating section, a renovation of the chancellor’s guest box and press box, the addition of visitors’ side restrooms and handicap access for the home side.
    Goodyear said the project plans will benefit not only football but other varsity sports as well.
    “Even though football is the most visible sport on campus … there are 19 others that are affected,” said Goodyear.
    Laney said the indoor practice facility will be open to club sports. He cited Kidd Brewer Stadium as an example of a varsity facility that can be utilized by those not in varsity athletics.
    “We do not lock up Kidd Brewer Stadium at anytime,” Laney said.