October 31, 2023

Federal Way Schools kicks off new $23M Memorial Stadium

Photos by McGranahan Architects [enlarge]

Grandstands on both sides of the field each contain 2,000 seats.

After more than 50 years, it was game over for Federal Way's Memorial Stadium as excavators torn down its two grandstands earlier this year for a $23 million replacement project.

Federal Way School District recently held the first event at the new stadium, which was built in place of the old field at 1300 S. 308th St., adjacent to Federal Way High School. Next, the district will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the field.

Under a progressive design-build contract, crews from BNBuilders built two new grandstands with equal covered seating on both the home and visitor sides. Seating capacity increased by about 700, with 2,000 seats now on each side.

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The project built new restrooms.

Other work at the stadium included installing heavier turf on the main field, resurfacing the running track, locker room upgrades, site improvements, and replacing support structures for bathrooms, concessions and ticketing booths. Safety improvements included new perimeter fencing, additional security cameras and facility access controls.

The DJC reported last December that the district said the project will bring new life and an improved spectator experience to the facility. The expanded stadium will now be able to hold regional and state events, as well as district graduation ceremonies — something it couldn't do before.

BNB says it held outreach events for small, woman- and minority-owned firms to partner on the project, with those firms as vendors for the grandstand, fencing and plumbing.

McGranahan Architects was the designer. BNB's team was lead by project executives Matt Lubbers and Geri Urbas, as well as superintendent Eric Shelton.

Funding came from a bond measure passed by voters in 2017.