Univ. of Colorado AD Mike Bohn and Chancellor Phil DiStefano yesterday "outlined a plan for approximately $170 million in upgrades at Folsom Field but did not provide a specific timetable for when the projects will begin," according to a front-page piece by Kyle Ringo of the Boulder DAILY CAMERA. CU is "challenging donors to raise $50 million toward the project and will begin construction when that figure is met by donations." No tuition, student fees or state funding would be "used to fund the project." It will be "paid for entirely through private fundraising and money the athletic department earns through television contracts and future revenue from the Pac-12 Network." The plan "includes both renovations to current facilities and new construction, including a new student-athlete academic center, a new permanent indoor practice facility and eventually a new soccer and lacrosse field." The first phase of the project would be "building the academic center beneath the east side club level of Folsom Field and also taking precautions against shifting ground beneath the north side of the east stands." Board of Regents members seemed to "respond favorably to the presentation." The board "won't have to approve anything until a program plan is completed, which the school hopes to do by December." CU plans also include "expanding the Dal Ward Center on the east and west sides and enclosing the north end of the stadium, which would add to the capacity of the stadium, which currently seats 53,613." Improvements to the Coors Events Center are "not included" in the $170M project, but also are "planned" (Boulder DAILY CAMERA, 2/21).
