- September 16, 2024
- Posted by: John
- Categories: Home News, Industry News, News
The University of Missouri Board of Curators has unanimously approved the $250 million renovation of Memorial Stadium.
The university will break ground on the project to transform the stadium at the University of Missouri-Kansas City on November 30. The venue is the home of the Mizzou’s football program.
Scheduled for completion in 2026 to coincide with the stadium’s 100th anniversary, the project will elevate the fan experience and solidify Mizzou’s competitive standing in the Southeastern Conference.
Board Chair Robin Wenneker said:
The landmark decision to approve major renovations to historic Memorial Stadium reflects the board’s deep commitment to the University of Missouri Athletics and Mizzou Football. I’m extremely proud of the leadership our board and our administration have shown in enhancing the experience our fans so richly deserve.
Our significant investments demonstrate our resolve to being highly competitive in the SEC and match our drive for global competitiveness across the entire university. This project will ensure that Memorial Stadium remains a source of pride for all Missourians and the greater Mizzou family for years to come.
Designed by Kansas City architecture firm DLR Group, the project includes a new multi-level north concourse addition and will feature a wide variety of new premium seating options, along with modernised concessions, enhanced restrooms and a new stadium entry plaza.
The north concourse structure will total approximately 191,000 gross square feet, including 99,000 gross square feet of enclosed, climate-controlled areas.
Curator Bob Blitz, the chair of the board’s Mizzou Intercollegiate Athletics Special Committee said:
The most public-facing signal of championship expectations is the quality of an institution’s football stadium. Failure to invest now would cause a rapid decline in our fast-rising championship program.
Other primary elements of the renovation include a new retail outlet for Mizzou merchandise, the integration of an enhanced videoboard and sound system in the north end zone and improved wayfinding and graphics throughout the stadium.
As part of the project, the Bunker Club in the south end zone will be converted into a recruiting centre.
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Other features include enhanced LED field lighting, Wi-Fi improvements, upgrades to concourse restrooms and concessions, auxiliary locker room conversion and other stadium structural repairs.
University of Missouri President Mun Choi said:
The Memorial Stadium Improvements Project is a milestone in Mizzou’s continued growth. This project symbolises the university’s strategic vision to provide world-class facilities for our student-athletes while reinforcing Mizzou’s role as a driver of economic impact for the state.
This investment is about more than football. It’s about community and economic development for the state of Missouri.
As announced in April when the Board of Curators approved the hiring of DLR Group, the project envisions the development of 14 field-level open-air suites behind the north end zone and two new club sections, including a field-level, 300-person Rock M Club built directly under the historic Rock M Hill behind the current north end zone, and a 500-person Mezzanine Club.
The project will explore the addition of 150 family loge boxes, 250 club seats and 28 “Tiger Den” private outdoor patio boxes for families or corporations. Under DLR’s design, the stadium’s capacity will increase to approximately 65,000.
Mizzou Director of Athletics Laird Veatch said:
This project is a game-changer for Mizzou Football, our fans and our student-athletes. This could not be possible without the leadership of our Board of Curators and President Choi.
Their unwavering commitment continues to push Mizzou Athletics on an upward trajectory. This historic stadium renovation will not only enhance the overall fan experience but provide the resources necessary for our program to compete at the highest level in the SEC.
Missouri head football coach Eliah Drinkwitz said:
This is an incredible statement by our Board of Curators and President Choi. Their leadership has been instrumental in pushing this project forward. These stadium improvements are crucial for recruiting and developing the next generation of Tigers.
We’re building something special here, and a renovated Memorial Stadium will be the heartbeat of that progress.
Source and Image courtesy of University of Missouri
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