The Iowa Board of Regents yesterday approved plans for $135-150M of upgrades at the Univ. of Iowa that at its center "would significantly improve amenities" for UI’s student-athletes and "ticket-buying football fans," according to Chad Leistikow of the DES MOINES REGISTER. Project planning "was green-lit for improvements to Kinnick Stadium’s North end zone that is likely to include more premium seating; construction of a suite-style residence hall on the doorstep of sports facilities; and construction of a new indoor track-and-field building west of Finkbine Golf Course." Yesterday's authorization allows Iowa AD Gary Barta to "consult with architects to map out execution of the first phase of a 10-year master plan unveiled last week to make improvements across all 24 university sports." Barta envisions "creating more elbow room in the currently cramped North end zone" to improve "restrooms, concourses, concession and revenue-generating premium seats in a section of Kinnick that’s been virtually untouched" since '83. Barta has an "eye on keeping capacity near the current 70,585." Barta said, "It's still possible to keep it at 70,000 or higher. That's the goal. But I'm not going to make that goal supercede having a great fan experience. I'm going to challenge the architects to get us the improvements we need and get it to 70. I have no idea what it'll look like. But yes, I'm open to whatever they come to us with that works." Leistikow notes Barta "did not reveal a time frame on completion of the project." Barta said, "We want to get going as fast as we can" (DES MOINES REGISTER, 8/6).
NIP, TUCK: In Ohio, Tom Groeschen notes the Univ. of Cincinnati "hopes to draw a capacity crowd in the 40,000 range" for the reopening of Nippert Stadium on Sept. 5. UC AD Mike Bohn said that the $86M renovation "is on time and on budget ... with seating capacity growing from 35,000 to 40,000." The project is "being funded by private donations" (CINCINNATI.com, 8/5).
