Panel to View CSUN Plan for Scaled-Down Stadium

Cal State Northridge officials on Monday are expected to unveil plans for a scaled-down football stadium to be built on Lindley Avenue.

Reducing the stadium’s size from 15,000 seats to about 8,000 is an attempt to appease neighbors opposed to a larger facility, said David Honda, chairman of the university’s athletic facilities site advisory committee.

If approved by CSUN President Blenda J. Wilson, the new venue would be built about 50 yards from an existing 7,500-seat football stadium, Honda said.

“We are looking to build a new football field . . . not the Rose Bowl,” Honda said.

The new plan was drafted at Wilson’s request by Tom Tindall, director of facility planning, Honda said.

The plan is the latest of several proposals the 12-member committee of residents, faculty and administrators will consider before making its final recommendation to Wilson on Dec. 1.

Current locations under consideration are on the Zelzah Avenue side of campus near Nordhoff Street and off-campus at Pierce College in Woodland Hills.

Area residents prefer the off-campus site, said Bob LoPresti, a resident member of the committee.

“The [CSUN] campus is not large enough,” he said. “It is an urban campus surrounded by residences. It cannot accommodate a stadium without causing serious side effects.”

The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in the satellite student union at Lassen Street and Zelzah Avenue.