Washington to perform $250 million renovation of Husky Stadium

[Sgt John]

SEATTLE -- The University of Washington Board of Regents have given approval to a $250 million renovation of Husky Stadium.

The board made the decision at its meeting Thursday, hours before Washington hosted UCLA.

Plans for the remodel include complete demolition of the lower bowl and the south upper deck. The field will be lowered and seats brought closer, and a football operations facility will also be constructed. Seating capacity is expected to stay close to its current total of 72,500.

The project is being paid off through 30-year bonds. The school intends to raise $50 million in private donations and pay the remaining total through new revenues generated from the stadium.

Washington will play its last game at Husky Stadium on Nov. 5, 2011, against Oregon and play the 2011 Apple Cup and 2012 season at Seattle's Qwest Field.

 

[Kingdome]

Here is a rendering:

 

[Sgt John]

Looks nice.

 

[Kingdome]

Local News | Big changes for new Husky Stadium | Seattle Times Newspaper

Seats: 71,197, a slight reduction in the current capacity of 72,500. Premium seating: 25 suites (room for up to 25 people), plus the President's Box (size to be determined), 25 loge boxes (room for about four to eight people), 2,555 South Side club seats, 756 Don James Center seats

Other facilities: A 70,000-square-foot football-operations support building in west end zone and a 200-stall parking garage below south-side stands

Cost: $225 million for stadium construction, plus $25 million to relocate track and purchase new equipment such as scoreboards and audiovisual equipment. The university has raised $14 million in private gifts and hopes to raise $50 million over a five-year period.

Schedule: Construction is to begin in November 2011. Huskies play 2011 Apple Cup, and all of 2012 season, at Qwest Field. Stadium is scheduled to open in August 2013.


Other than the slight reduction of seats and moving the student section, I think this will be great. My wallet will take a hit though as ticket prices will increase, again.

 

[MongerKhan]

Looks very nice

 

[mudloggerone]

I agree Khan but wonder why the reduction in seating? That make no sense to me unless the fan support isn't strong enough to justify a larger stadium.

 

[MongerKhan]

I would think more room for expensive boxes

 

[Kingdome]

The reason for the slight reduction in seating capacity are the luxury boxes and removal of the horseshoe that wrapped around the track, which takes away a good chunk of seats. The extra seats added by removing the track and lowering the bowl aren't enough to make up for those lost elsewhere.

More seats will be added in the future in the west endzone. We have our hands full with the current $250,000,000 remodel, which includes building a new track facility.

 

[Kingdome]

Also, I believe we will have more seats between the goal lines than any other college stadium.

 

[Kingdome]

Coach Sark's blog has pictures of the on going demolition/renovation. The lower bowl has been demoed and the south stands are being deconstructed.

Husky Stadium Update: Day 30 | Coach Sark

 

[Sgt John]

Washington will be the best team in Qwest Field next year.

 

[Kingdome]

The Seahawks would destory any NCAA team. It would not be competitive.

 

[Kingdome]

HuskyStadium.com has 6 different camera views of the construction site:

OxBlue Construction Camera: Husky Stadium Renovation Webcam Presented by OxBlue & Turner Construction Company

 

[mudloggerone]

Great stuff King. I remember the additions to Tiger Stadium being available on line and the pictures were fun to watch.

 

[xqj47alpha]

Coach Sark's blog has pictures of the on going demolition/renovation. The lower bowl has been demoed and the south stands are being deconstructed.

Husky Stadium Update: Day 30 | Coach Sark

deconstructed?

wouldn't that take a multitude of hippies finger snapping in unison while standing in line waiting for their 'new' ipod?