UA Athletic program considers football stadium expansion
by November 29, 2012 5:04 pm 91 views
While in the midst of searching for a new head football coach, the University of Arkansas Athletic Department on Thursday (Nov. 29) announced it is investigating the possibility of expanding the north end of the Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
“The purpose of the market and cost analysis is to specifically examine the variables associated with an expansion such as seating capacity, design, construction, economic variables and the demand for additional seating, all of which should be studied when considering a stadium expansion,” noted the UA statement released Thursday afternoon.
Funding for any expansion will come from athletic program revenue, and no university funds will be used in the analysis or construction.
According to the statement, the university is calling for “Requests for Qualifications” (RFQ) for an architect/engineer design team and for the construction manager/general contractor (CM/GC) team to perform the analysis.
“Once the RFQ selection process is complete, the university will seek approval from the Board of Trustees to move forward with the analysis. The intent of the analysis is to review the viability of the project,” noted the statement.
If the analysis proves the project is feasible, the plan for the work will require approval from the UA Board of Trustees.
“As we begin to consider an expansion in the north end zone of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, it is important we have sound information from which to make a decision,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long said in the statement. “The analysis will help us have a clearer understanding of the many variables that must be thoroughly examined before making a decision to move forward. It is important that we continue to strive to accommodate the current and future seating demands of Razorback fans.”
Unveiled in October 2011, the Razorback Athletic Facilities Master Plan provided a road map for $320 million of facility renovations and additions that will impact all 19 Razorback sports over the next 20-30 years. The first major project from the master plan, the football center, is under construction with a targeted completion date in 2013.