LSU Gets State Approval Of $75M In Borrowing For Tiger Stadium Expansion Project

Louisiana state officials "swiftly approved" $75M in privately-funded borrowing Thursday to expand LSU’s Tiger Stadium, according to Michelle Millhollon of the Baton Rouge ADVOCATE. Tiger Athletic Foundation President & CEO Major General Ron Richard said that construction "will begin this fall with work wrapping up in time" for the '14 season. The improvements "focus on the south end zone of Tiger Stadium, where 65 suites over two levels, 3,000 stadium club seats, 1,500 upper deck seats and additional standing room only space will be added." Richard said that the project "will increase the stadium’s seating capacity from 92,000 to 100,000." In addition to the $75M in borrowing, the TAF "also secured $25 million in bank loans." Taxpayers "will not be responsible for repaying the borrowing." The south end zone project "will be the third major expansion of Tiger Stadium in the last two decades." The construction project "also includes better facilities for gymnastics, tennis and track and field." LSU Senior Associate AD Eddie Nuñez said that gymnastics and tennis "will get new facilities while track and field will move into renovated space." He said that currently, track and field athletes "lack locker facilities" (Baton Rouge ADVOCATE, 7/20).

SIGN OF IMPROVEMENT: In Detroit, David Jesse reports the makeover of the Univ. of Michigan’s athletic campus "will continue with the addition of a large marquee near Michigan Stadium and the renovation of Schembechler Hall after the Board of Regents approved the projects" on Thursday. The marquee will cost $2.8M and be "located on Stadium Boulevard in between the Big House and Crisler Center." Construction is "expected to be completed" in the fall of '13. It will be "large -- 27 feet high and 48 feet long, with the bottom of the marquee standing 21 feet above grade." UM AD Dave Brandon said that the board will be "used to publicize upcoming events and to pump up fans on game day." It has "audio capabilities and will be similar in construction to the new videoboards inside the stadium." The other project on the athletic campus is the $9M "renovation of Schembechler Hall." The addition "will add 7,000 square feet onto the building" (FREEP.com, 7/19).