The University of Iowa‘s Board of Regents will soon consider a plan for a roughly $90 million renovation to Kinnick Stadium.
On the table is a proposal that follows some trends in college football. Using athletic department funds, the university would completely rebuild Kinnick Stadium’s north end by tearing it down and replacing it with a structure that houses several new amenities. Along with improved seating options, the new north end would also include upgraded concession and restroom facilities.
In doing this $89.9 million renovation, the university would add new premium seating to Kinnick Stadium and look to modernize a portion of the facility that was first constructed in 1983. The upcoming vote will allow portions of the plan to move forward. More from the Globe Gazette:
Details of the project were unveiled in documents released Tuesday, and Regents will be asked to approve the schematic design, financing plan, project description and budget for the project on Oct. 19 during its meeting at Cedar Falls, Iowa.
The new project is scheduled to be built within the existing stadium footprint, adjacent to Evashevski Drive, and will include a total of 10,234 seats to maintain a total capacity of over 70,000 at Kinnick Stadium.
“I’ve seen some drawings, and they just look spectacular,” [head coach Kirk] Ferentz said.
Two levels of grandstand seating totaling 8,516 seats are planned, with one seating bowl located below and one situated above a premium club level that would include 1,570 outdoor club seats.
On its current schedule, the renovation will take place over multiple phases. It would start with a demolition at the end of the 2017 Hawkeyes season, allowing for portions of the new north end to be in place for the 2018 season. The renovation would conclude by the beginning of the 2019 campaign.
Image courtesy Iowa Hawkeyes.