A renovation project that Idaho State University hoped to start this summer now has a proposed start date of 2020.

But, according to ISU Athletic Director Pauline Thiros, the later start date will result in a more refined final product.

In April, ISU announced a $4 million project to renovate Davis Field, the home of ISU’s track and field and soccer teams. The school’s initial round of bidding the project to contractors resulted in projected amounts that were too high, so the school re-engineered its plans.

In doing so, ISU found some improvements it could make to its original plan.

“We are working through the re-design process now and will bid the project again, with the expectation to begin construction in 2020,” Thiros said.

The main redesign to the project’s original concept is shifting the field’s expansion farther west, away from Red Hill. This will result in the west-side bleachers being replaced at a location farther west than they are currently located, while eliminating some costs associated with constructing a retaining wall bordering Red Hill.

Thiros said there will still be some required retaining wall work, as well as a landscaped grassy slope on the east side of the field, per the original plan.

Fans can watch ISU sporting events at Davis Field from that grassy slope.

“During the re-engineering process, we identified some opportunities that will actually improve the quality of the venue and provide more space, with less invasion of the hillside and therefore less complex structural work and a more efficient project,” Thiros said, adding that the initial high bids were “primarily due to the scope of the retaining wall work. Re-engineering the project will alleviate a great deal of that.”

The renovation plan includes, among other objectives, addressing the width of the soccer field, which will make ISU eligible to host tournaments and championship matches, and create a more attractive road destination for non-conference opponents. The soccer field currently does not adhere to the NCAA’s width regulations.

Additionally, the track will be replaced and drainage for the track and the field will be improved. The ISU track and field team will then be able to host outdoor track meets at Davis Field, including conference championships. Davis Field has not hosted an outdoor track and field event since 2007, as the track does not currently meet NCAA standards.

The field events area — for activities such as the long jump, pole vault, discus and high jump — will be moved from inside the oval of the track to a newly developed area on the south side of Davis Field. This will help address safety concerns and team practice conflicts.

And lastly, the upgrade will include professional outdoor arena lights so Davis Field can be used at night, greatly helping both the school’s soccer and track and field teams and adding flexibility for scheduling games and practices, ISU said.

“Teams will still operate at the current Davis Field site this fall,” Thiros said. “When construction begins in 2020 the track team will utilize Holt Arena in the spring, and we have discussed partnering with School District 25 for training needs in the fall. The soccer team will utilize ICCU Field (outside Holt Arena) for practice and competition during construction.”

Thiros did not clarify whether the updated project would have a new cost. The State Board of Education approved a budget of $5 million in April. ISU’s initial plan flew in under that budget.

“The university’s commitment to properly renovate Davis Field is unwavering, and we will accomplish it responsibly and in a way that provides for the needs of our programs and student-athletes,” Thiros said.