A $21M project will add premium areas to the south, east and west sides of the stadiumGETTY IMAGES
South Carolina's Williams-Brice Stadium will "get a facelift soon that includes an area where fans could be served alcoholic beverages" during football games after renovations were "unanimously approved" by the school's BOT, according to Josh Kendall of the Columbia STATE. A $750,000 project to "renovate the first floor of the Floyd Building on the north side of the stadium is projected to be completed in time" for the '19 season. Additionally, a $21M project that will "add premium areas to the south, east and west sides of the stadium is expected to be completed in time" for the '20 season. South Carolina AD Ray Tanner said that the renovations are "expected to create 9,000 'premium access opportunities.'" Tanner added that the athletic department "expects to earn" more than $1M annually (after repaying the $1.3M of annual debt the project will create) by "selling the access to the premium areas." Kendall notes the changes will "not affect the seating capacity of the stadium in any significant way." Tanner said that the Floyd Building renovation will "include concessions that will serve alcohol if the proper licensing is approved." The '20 project will "include a '2001 Club' for fans in the southwest corner of the stadium." The area will have "space for around 350 fans, 144 of whom will have premium loge seating connected to the club and directly above the tunnel" where the football team runs onto the field before games. Fans within the "2001 Club" will have "field-view access to the game day entry by players." Loge seating "provides fans tables with their seats" (Columbia STATE, 9/20).
