On Thursday, the UT System Board of Regents gave its approval to the University of Texas’ proposed $175 million Royal Memorial Stadium upgrades.
Texas has been pitching a major renovation to Royal Memorial Stadium, with the proposal focused on the facility’s south end. The project is aimed at improving fan and player amenities, as it is expected that facilities for the football program would be added, along with a mix of fan amenities that includes loge seating, clubs, and suites.
Regents voted Thursday to allow Texas to start the renovation. With this improvement, Texas is hoping to tap into a college football trend by completing a renovation that improves team facilities while simultaneously adding premium areas to the fan experience. More from the Austin American-Statesman:
Regents gave the financial go-ahead for UT to start its ambitious $175 million project. Athletic director Chris Del Conte said he’s already raised $80 million from private donations. The new project will make the seating bowl complete, add an end-zone stadium club suite and totally revamp the entire football building….
This new project is more in line with today’s stadium enhancements, multiple UT officials said. The Longhorns will have a stadium club that stretches the entire length of the south end zone, similar to the field-level club the Dallas Cowboys have at AT&T Stadium. “I think it’s a fantastic concept,” [UT President Gregory L.] Fenves said.
Eight luxury suites will be stacked on both sides of a new jumbo video board, one that will be bigger than the current “Godzillatron” at Royal-Memorial Stadium.
Essentially, Texas officials are creating new, lucrative revenue streams rather than just adding more bleachers.
Texas has been hoping to start construction on the project in 2019, and conclude the work in time for the 2021 college football season.
Rendering courtesy University of Texas.