$175 million upgrade approved for football stadium at University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas System Board of Regents has approved a $175 million upgrade of the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial football stadium in Austin.
The Texas Tribune reports that the renovations will largely be paid for by donors and ticket sales.
The project will add "new suites, clubs, loge boxes, sponsor amenities, modified fan seating and new coaches' offices" to the south end zone of the University of Texas at Austin football stadium, according to system documents.
The university expects to raise $125 million from donors and has received $30 million in pledges so far. The remaining $50 million will recouped from proceeds from tickets and premium seating.
"The addition at the south end zone will provide an enhanced game day experience for fans and create additional revenue for Texas Athletics," the system documents say. "This project will further support student athlete recruitment and retention and help keep football revenues at a high level."
Plans call for $85 million to be spent on the south end zone addition, $15 million on architectural and design services, and $20 million on renovating an athletic center with "the latest technology in sports medicine and rehabilitation services," the documents say.
The project is expected to be largely completed by July 2021; construction is expected to start in summer 2019. UT-Austin President Greg Fenves says the improvements will not increase the 100,000 seating capacity in the stadium.
