The City of Winston-Salem has approved funding for upgrades to Bowman Gray Stadium, which will be renovated for Winston-Salem State University football and other events.
At one point last year, it appeared that WSSU could eventually depart Bowman Gray Stadium in favor of a new on-campus facility, as it unveiled a 20-year master plan that included a 6,000-seat venue. However, the university eventually revealed that it would remain at Bowman Gray Stadium through the end of its lease in 2037, and city officials made plans to renovate the facility.
Plans for those upgrades are moving forward. On Monday, the Winston-Salem City Council voted 7-1 to approve a capital spending package that included funding for the Bowman Gray Stadium renovation project. A total of $9 million was approved for the stadium, accounting for a significant chunk of the $28 million package. More from the Winston-Salem Journal:
The Winston-Salem City Council approved $28 million in new capital spending Monday night, with the renovation of Bowman Gray Stadium at the top of the list.
The projects will be paid for mostly from various types of bonds: $18.25 million in limited obligation bonds, $6.84 million in two-thirds bonds, $1 million from capital reserves and $1.5 million from the 2018 general obligation bonds….
The biggest single item on the list of projects is the renovation of Bowman Gray Stadium, which was announced last November. That project has a $9 million price tag. It would involve extensive upgrades in seating, the race track, the football field, concessions and other features.
Used for football and short track racing, Bowman Gray Stadium was originally completed in 1938 as a Works Progress Administration project. The upcoming renovations are expected to take place over multiple phases, wrapping up in 2022.
Image courtesy WSSU Athletics.
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