By Blaine Howerton
North Forty News
Thousands of people are in the streets at CSU campus, waiting eagerly for the first access to an all new CSU stadium. It’s opening day. Music, food, gifts and CSU informational booths are plentiful. “Excitement is in the streets. This is just awesome,” said Sally Roberts, a CSU alum. “We have been waiting for this for a long time.”
CSU stadium has been a controversial topic in Fort Collins. Mostly due to traffic and congestion concerns during game days. Today is certainly the test for all of it – from the ticket scanners to the bathrooms.
“It was easy for me to get in. Plenty of parking so far,” said another loyal fan. “I just don’t remember this kind of excitement on campus since I have been tailgating at games for the past twenty years.”
Once past the gates, thousands of people were looking for shade and food to eat. They found themselves standing in lines hundreds of people deep. Tensions didn’t seem high though, while they waited for their Rams to come out on the field for the first time.
After the Rams came out there was a huge cheer and the football scrimmage began. While a ribbon cutting and speech were planned, neither happened. Nor did the whole scrimmage, at least before this reporter left. It was delayed due to lightning. An announcement came over the stadium PA with the words “take shelter in the stadium common areas or bathrooms.” That was my cue to get out before I got angry and impatient. Overall, it was a good day. Many things didn’t go as planned but it seems the goal was met – work out the kinks before the first big game (which is on August 26 at 12:30pm).