Florida State University Board of Trustees approved selling up to $85 million in bonds for Doak Campbell Stadium upgrades, to be completed in time for the 2016 season.
The expected cost of the project is expected to be $79.5 million, but FSU is bonding the extra amount to cover contingencies. The money will be used to upgrade premium seating areas, paint the facility and make some structural repairs. From the Tallahassee Democrat:
Nearly $45 million of the project cost would go toward the creation of an upscale club seating section with wider, more comfortable seats desired by diehard Seminole fans. The boosters have been selling the seats in advance of the project’s approval. Through Jan. 31, about 1,500 seats had been sold, with people paying $4.6 million so far.
The project, the board’s materials note, is seen as a way to create new revenue streams to be used to support FSU athletic programs that ultimately will result in better recruiting, coaching and “results on the playing fields.”
In addition to the club seating area, $9 million would be spent to improve sky box suites, adding air conditioning, wireless internet connections and other amenities. About $26.3 million would be spent on stadium repairs and painting.
This probably won’t be the last renovation of the stadium, the trustees noted the need for future renovations.