Univ. of Florida AD Scott Stricklin is “confident the Gators will reap considerable and critical rewards from an ambitious, years-long project scheduled for completion by 2030,” for the $1.45B price tag renovation of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, according to Edgar Thompson of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. Stricklin said that the makeover is set to begin “after the 2026 season,” while “nearly doubling Florida’s game-day revenue to roughly” $140M. Additional dollars are “sure to be available with sponsorships.” Texas A&M spent $450M to overhaul Kyle Field in 2013-14, a project Stricklin called “the most comprehensive until now.” Stricklin said, “This is a 360-degree, every inch of this stadium is going to be effected.” Thompson wrote there will be “new video boards above each end zone, expanded concourses, approximately 145 luxury suites -- up from 82 -- and a matching exterior facade are among the highlights.” Construction plans also include “premium party deck areas in the north end zone corners.” Funding is expected to come through a “combination of private giving, capital reserves and long-term debt” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 6/11).
ADA COMPLIANT: In Gainesville, Andrew Abadie wrote the main factor behind the expense is “preserving parts of the iconic identity of The Swamp, including the orange wing walls and the unique bowl design,” which allows for fans to “continue to sit close to the field and on top of the action.” Seating capacity “will remain the same.” Florida Athletics has selected Legends Global to help “guide strategic planning and project execution throughout the process.” Manhattan Construction Group and Hunt Construction Group will “partner as the construction management team leading the renovation effort.” Stricklin said, “We could have spent half this amount, and people would sit around and ask, ‘What did you even do?’ and we’d have lost about 10,000 seats.” The renovations include “updating ADA compliance and deferred maintenance issues, which alone will cost roughly” $500M. Aisles will be “widened in the lower bowl, seats will be slightly widened, and handrails will be installed,” which is an ADA requirement and will “reduce seating” in the bowl (GAINESVILLE SUN, 6/11).
