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College Facility Notes: Stricklin Working On Florida's Upgrades

Florida is investing $50M for a new ballpark for its baseball programPOPULOUS

In Orlando, Mike Bianchi noted Florida AD Scott Stricklin is trying to upgrade the school's facilities "in a hurry," with plans already made to renovate Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with "more premium seating and other fan amenities." While discussing Florida's $130M investment in various upcoming projects, Stricklin said, "You don't want to be frivolous. We're not going to have gold-plated toilets in any of these facilities. We're not going to have waterfalls in the locker rooms. ... You want to make sure you're spending in a really smart way." Stricklin: " At some places ... you do things to create a wow factor, or to create an interest or to make it different. And at some places, that's perfectly reasonable to do, but I don't think we're in that position" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 4/4).

BRIGHT LIGHTS: In Portland, Danny Moran reported Oregon State is upgrading Gill Coliseum "in the form of a high-definition video board and LED lighting." The privately-funded project is "scheduled to be completed" by the start of the '18 women's volleyball season in August. The new videoboard will be "suspended from the arena's ceiling above midcourt and will feature 'four inward-curved LED video displays.'" Gill Coliseum has been open since '49 and has "long been in need of major upgrades when compared to arenas at other Pac-12 schools" (Portland OREGONIAN, 4/4).

DECISIONS, DECISIONS: Alabama AD Greg Byrne confirmed that the school has "hired an architectural firm to look at the future" of a multipurpose arena on campus. In Birmingham, Michael Casagrande noted the 50-year-old Coleman Coliseum seats 15,383, and is home to "both the Alabama basketball programs and gymnastics team." The building is "outdated from a revenue-generating standpoint," and the last "major renovation" came in '05-06. Byrne, appearing on WJOX-FM, said, "They have been studying Coleman and weighing building a new arena versus renovating Coleman. It's not done by any stretch but right now, it is certainly looking like a renovation" (AL.com, 4/2).

SPRING HAS SPRUNG: In K.C., Alex Schiffer reported Missouri's spring football game will "have a bit of a different look to it," as the south end zone stands at Memorial Stadium "have been demolished as part of a major renovation." The renovation is for Missouri's "new football offices and facilities" and is not "expected to be complete until" the '19 season (K.C. STAR, 4/4).

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