Purdue athletics officials are looking to take the next step in the Ross-Ade Stadium renovation planning process, with a key vote set for Friday.
Purdue has been exploring potential upgrades to Ross-Ade Stadium, envisioning a major overhaul to the facility that is estimated to cost $100-$125 million and be funded with private money. As the planning process continues, the university’s athletics department is seeking to move forward to the next level of design.
A crucial step in that direction could happen this week, as the Purdue Board of Trustees is set to vote Friday on a request to move forward with that part of the process. In addition, the board will consider a request to proceed with a videoboard replacement project in Ross-Ade Stadium’s south end zone. More from the Lafayette Journal & Courier:
Athletic Director Mike Bobinski will seek authorization from the board to move the stadium’s renovation project to the next level of design at the cost of around $4 million
Bobinski will also seek the board’s approval to begin the process of replacing the current video board in the south end zone with a new model, which could stand 57-foot by 150-foot. The dimensions of the current video board are 31-foot by 68-foot and cost $1.7 million in 2007.
“It’s almost sideline to sideline,” Bobinski said. “It’s a very significant statement.”
A 10-foot by 375-foot video ribbon board is currently being installed in the north end zone and will be completed in late August well before Purdue’s first home game Sept. 7 against Vanderbilt.
If it receives proper approval, the new videoboard would be installed before the 2020 season. A timeline for completing the larger renovation project has not been finalized.
Image courtesy Purdue Athletics.