Finishing The Pyramid still requires big money

In horse racing parlance, handicappers favoring a speedy, frontrunning racehorse like to use the phrase "first you've got to catch me, then you've got to pass me" when describing their steed's chances for victory.

For observers of Cal State Long Beach's, The Pyramid, the saying should go like this. "First you got to build it, then you got to finish it."

Finishing is exactly what CSULB officials intend to do.

Bill Husak associate athletic director estimated a total coast of about $5 to $6 million is needed to totally finish The Pyramid's construction. The donation, or gift, would probably come from a corporate direction.

"I think you could expect a major donor to come forward this year," Husak said.

Athletic department sources confirmed that negotiotions for advertising and sponsorship packages have taken place with two automotive companies. The program could possibly result in attaching the sponser's name to The Pyramid.

After a sponsor is found, university officials are planning to add an additional 1,000 seats. Those seats would be above the existing chairback seats immediately behind the team benches, Husak said.

"Our goal is by next summer to, if not totally build out the facility, to significantly increase the capacity to over 6,000 seats," Husak said.

The most expensive project remaining is the construction of almost 1,400 more seats behind the southern basket and in the corners of the first level.

"That will cost about $1.8 million," Husak said, "And the reason that is more expensive is because some re-flooring will be needed when the hydraulic-seats behind the basket are put in."

One more bank of seats, roughly 1,000, will be added behind the "orphaned" basket. Husak also said that 99 seats will be built into all four corners of The Pyramid giving it much more of a pit-feeling.

"There will be tunnels in all four corners where players can make their entrances and exits," Husak said.