With more more than 11 months to go until Univ. of Arkansas football play its "first game in the renovated Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium," the new features "already are proving to be popular among consumers," according to Matt Jones of the ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE. Razorback Foundation Exec Dir Scott Varady said that the school has "signed commitments for all 38 new suites that will be located on the north and east sides of the stadium, and commitments for 59 of the 70 loge boxes that will be built on the north end." An additional 2,200 club seats will be "constructed on the north end." The Razorback Ticket Office began "offering those tickets last Tuesday and sold 60 in the first week." The additions are part of a $160M renovation "scheduled to be finished by next August." The expansion will "add 4,849 seats to premium areas, which -- after a reduction of 637 outdoor club seats on the east side to make room for new suites -- will bring the stadium's listed capacity to 76,212." The 38 new suites will "bring the total number of suites at the stadium to 172." Each new suite "requires a seven-year commitment and a donation of about $3,700 to $4,100 per seat each year." Each suite will be able to accommodate 18-30 people, "including six standing-room only tickets." Varady said that the majority of the suites have been "secured by individuals." He added, "There is this perception that this caters to the corporate world, but that's really not necessarily the case." About 80 loge boxes will be "available at field level," priced at $4,000 "per seat each season." An additional 272 loge box seats will be "located on the level above the field" (ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE, 9/26).
