Groundbreaking ceremony marks new era for CMU football
Colorado Mesa University (CMU) recently broke ground on the $1.5 million Canvas Union Champions Center, a new football facility that will be integrated into Stocker Stadium in Grand Junction, Colorado.
The project adds state‑of‑the‑art locker rooms, athletic training spaces, meeting rooms, coaches’ offices and a hospitality deck that will host games and community events. A new videoboard is also planned along North Avenue, enhancing the spectator experience.
The development revitalizes the historic Lincoln Park Barn, converting part of the structure into a modern weight room while preserving its heritage. City Manager Mike Bennett emphasized that the facility will benefit not only CMU’s football program but also local high schools that will use the venue for competitions.
Funding for the center comes from Canvas Credit Union, which contributed more than $1.5 million and lent its name to the project. University officials say the upgraded stadium will give students an experience comparable to Division I venues, with event costs subsidized by CMU’s payments to the city.
City officials project completion for fall 2027. In the meantime, the expansion is expected to boost regional sports infrastructure and provide a venue for high‑school football games, further cementing Grand Junction’s role as a hub for athletic events in western Colorado.