More than 70% of the money has been raised so far for the new projects, which includes a $65M ballparkPOPULOUS
The Univ. of Florida completed a $15M renovation of its softball stadium last winter, has "broken ground" on a $65M baseball venue that will be ready for '21 and will "begin work next June" on the long-awaited $85M stand-alone football facility, according to Edgar Thompson of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. UF AD Scott Stricklin, who is nearing his fourth anniversary in the role, said that more than 70% of the money has been "raised for the projects" so far. Stricklin said, "We're right on track here. We've had a great response. We have people who have stepped up, and I think we have others that will. It's been exciting." UF completed a $1.2M "overhaul of the football locker rooms last month that drew rave reviews." Stricklin: "We want our kids to have nice things. We are trying to attract really talented young people." Thompson noted once the football complex is in place, Stricklin will "turn his full attention to the biggest project of all -- looking to bring The Swamp into the 21st century." One of college football's "most storied stadiums continues to create one of the game's premier game-day atmospheres." But Stricklin said there are "some things we can do from a fan-comfort standpoint." Stricklin: "I don't think we're where we need to be" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 8/4).
