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UW plans Camp Randall renovation

November 7, 2000

Athletic Department officials propose a $99.7 million overhaul of 83 year-old Camp Randall Stadium financed mostly through Athletic Department and private sources.

Officials cite safety concerns, failing infrastructure, need for improved customer service and accessibility issues as the major reasons to remodel the stadium. Built in 1917, Camp Randall is the fourth-oldest college football complex in the nation. No major stadium structural renovation has been undertaken in 34 years since an upper deck was added in 1966.

The plan will be 90 percent financed from the Athletic Department and private sources. State money would cover 10 percent of the cost strictly for maintenance improvements to the stadium’s infrastructure. The proposed plan:

  • Adds three expanded concourses on the stadium’s east side including new restrooms and concession areas;
  • Increases women’s restrooms fixtures from 212 to 496 and men’s fixtures from 445 to 694;
  • Adds three levels of 32 suites (total of 96) and 900 club seats that will provide new revenue to help pay for the project;
  • Closes in the southeast corner with new seating, adds 4,000 seats to north end zone, and rebuilds the south end zone seats;
  • Eliminates 2,500 obstructed view seats in the lowest rows to improve circulation and fan safety;
  • Provides a net addition of approximately 5,500 seats raising Camp Randall’s capacity to about 82,500;
  • Eliminates the field level track while providing access points from behind the seating bowl so only team personnel are allowed on the playing surface;
  • Triples disabled seating capacity from 100 to 300 and adds five elevators to improve restroom and concession access;
  • Includes a four-story office building to house administrative, support staff and coaching offices that will be displaced with the expansion of the concourses on the east side;
  • Expands west side concourses adding restrooms and concession areas;
  • Adds a new video replay screen and scoreboard, sound system and permanent lights.

If approved, the plan could be phased in over three years beginning after the football season in 2001 and completed before the 2004 season. The plan requires approval from the University, the UW System Board of Regents, the State Building Commission, chaired by the governor, and the Legislature in order to be included in the next biennial budget.

The regents will consider the renovation plan at their committee meeting on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 1:30 p.m. in Van Hise Hall. The full Board of Regents is expected to consider the proposal Friday, Nov. 10.

Studies indicate the stadium needs $14.3 million to repair and maintain infrastructure such as storm and sanitary sewers, electrical capacity and utility services whether the new building plan is initiated or not. Officials said without the renovation, issues of safety, accessibility and customer satisfaction could not be addressed.

Seven other Big Ten schools (Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan, Purdue, Penn State, Northwestern and Illinois) have completed, or are planning substantial renovations and expansions to their football stadiums ranging from $32 million at Northwestern to $187 million at Ohio State.