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Show inadequate seating facilities. The University administration realized that this was an opportune time to campaign for a stadium, and no time was lost in making this fact known to the citizens of Salt Lake City. President George Thomas gave unselfishly of his time and effort in bringing about a definite form to the undertaking. To him goes the credit for not only beginning the project but also in attending to its satisfactory completion.On January 27, 1927, the Board of Regents reached a favorable decision on the stadium idea and appointed the following body of men as a Stadium Trust, to be empowered with the financing and construction of a stadium; George Thomas, president of the University; Walter A. Kerr, chairman of the Athletic Council; Ronald McGregor, student representative; Charles R. Mabey, president of the Alumni Association; John F. Fitzpatrick, Warren L. Wattis, and W. W. Ray. Royal K. Barnes was later added to the Trust.The Trust was organized January 20, when President George Thomas was elected Chairman. Theron S. Parmelee was chosen secretary, and Thomas Hull treasurer. The Trust immediately appointed Professor R. B. Ket-chem to work out the plans and constructional details, and with these complete, bids for the excavation work were opened February 16. The Stadium Trust accepted the bid of Ross Beason Company for the financing of the stadium. The University is grateful to the following firms and individuals for the excellent performance of their duties in completing the work on the stadium in time for the first game of the season:Professor R. B. Ketchum, Engineer; Howard Barker, '14, Associate; George EI-lerbeck, '27, Associate; Vernon L. Bell, '26, Associate; J. L. Griffith, Excavation; Supervision, J. L. Griffith, Thomas Hughes. Christensen, Jacob and Gardner Company General Contractors for everything except the excavation. William Askee, Superintendent. William Green, Heating and Plumbing. Edward O. Anderson, Architect.These people have taken a genuine interest in the undertaking, and they are deserving of sincere appreciation from the students and faculty of the University. Thanks are also due to the Trust Commission for its energetic action in getting the stadium ready in time for the Utes to meet the Colorado School of Mines in a new home.Both the East and West buildings of the stadium contain training rooms, team rooms, shower room, ladies' and gentlemens' rest rooms, and a large amount of attic space for the storing of athletic equipment. Both contain steam heating units, maintained by a steam plant in the west building independent of the University heating plant.Conduits for telephone wires are arranged so that those on the sidelines can get connection anywhere on the concrete railing with the men in the press box.Forced ventilation through fans attached to the heating units is a feature of the training quarters, the air being driven by electric motors.Access to the stadium is had through straight romps up the embankment to the top of the structure. This is thought by Profes-SITE OF UTAH STADIUM BEFORE BREAKING GROUNDPage 172 |