WCU to hold groundbreaking ceremony for stadium renovations project
File photo
Western Carolina University will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 12, to kick off the first phase of a series of planned upgrades for E.J. Whitmire Stadium and other aging facilities used by Catamount student-athletes.
Members of the campus and surrounding communities are invited to attend the event, to be held at the Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center adjacent to the stadium.
The groundbreaking ceremony will mark the beginning of construction for additions to the stadium’s westside stands that include a new press box, coaches’ offices, player study space and a hospitality area that has been dubbed “the Western Skybox.”
University leaders have adopted a phased approach to athletics facilities renovations allowing for the initial upgrades to Whitmire Stadium while keeping options open for additional enhancements.
The first phase of stadium upgrades is expected to be completed by the beginning of the 2026 football season. The project will not affect the 2025 schedule, but it will create changes in gameday parking and stadium access.
In addition to the groundbreaking ceremony, the June 12 event will also celebrate new members of the Madison Legacy Society and Cullowhee Society and will recognize supporters of athletics facilities renovations. It will take the place of this year’s Planting Day Celebration, an annual event designed to thank donors who comprise the Madison Legacy Society and the Cullowhee Society and honor their record of major financial contributions to the university.
To RSVP by Tuesday, June 3, or for additional information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the Division of Advancement at 828.227.7124.
