Parts of the project, including the new roof, are expected to be in place for the Fall of '20GETTY IMAGES
Syracuse Univ. plans to spend $118M on "improvements to the Carrier Dome that will include a permanent roof, a vertically hung scoreboard, air conditioning and other amenities," according to a front-page piece by Chris Carlson of the Syracuse POST-STANDARD. The project "won't affect a football, basketball or lacrosse season, and some of the work will begin as early as this summer." Parts of the project, including the new roof, are "expected to be in place" for the Fall of '20. Other improvements are "scheduled to be in place" by the Fall of '22. The renovations should "address many of the common complaints from fans about a building that was considered a modern marvel when it opened" in '80 but whose "air-supported roof and concrete interior were growing increasingly archaic and challenging." The improvements planned for the '20 football season include the "roof, scoreboard, new sound and lighting systems, improved wireless internet and improvements to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act." The planned improvements for '22 include "air conditioning, enhanced restrooms and new concessions spaces." The changes will allow SU to "turn out the lights in the building, allowing for more dramatic pre-game and halftime experiences." SU AD John Wildhack said, "The center-hung scoreboard will be a wow factor for our fans. The fact that (it's on a track and) you can move it over for basketball is cool." Syracuse Senior VP & CFO Amir Rahnamay-Azar said that the school will "pay for the project using three internal sources of revenue -- fundraising, school reserves and borrowing" (Syracuse POST-STANDARD, 5/15).
