UA Eyeing Football Stadium Expansion

The University of Arkansas athletic department is moving ahead with plans for a market and cost analysis for a north end zone expansion of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, according to a news release issued Nov. 29.

The purpose of the market and cost analysis, the release stated, “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.”

The university is issuing requests for qualifications for both the architect/engineer design team and construction manager/general contractor team to perform the analysis. Once that process is complete, the university will seek approval from its board of trustees to move forward with the analysis. The intent of the analysis is to review the viability of the project, according to the release.

“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,” athletic director Jeff Long said in the release. “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.”

If the study determines the expansion to be viable and a decision is made to proceed, the project will be brought back to the Board of Trustees for approval prior to beginning the project. The funding of the market and cost analysis and any potential project will be from athletic revenues, and no university funds will be required to complete the analysis or the project, the release stated.

The Razorback Athletic Facilities Master Plan was released in October 2011, and provides a “road map” for $320 million in facility renovations and additions that will affect all 19 varsity sports over the next 20 to 30 years. The first major project, a football center, is under construction and expected to be completed next year.