The University of Iowa wants to renovate its football stadium, construct an indoor track and field facility, and build a residence hall geared for athletes.
Officials will ask the university’s board of regents next week for approval to move forward with planning on the improvements to the Iowa City campus. The estimated cost of the proposed projects is $135 million to $150 million.
Gary Barta, athletics director at Iowa, says the improvements will help the university stay competitive with other schools in the Big Ten Conference.
“The key to success in the Big Ten Conference is recruiting the most talented student-athletes in the country, and world-class facilities are a large part of the recruitment process,” says Barta.
The proposed renovations:
West Campus residence hall, $85 million. The facility would be built near the football stadium and accommodate 500 to 600 residents in suite-style living quarters “to serve the on-campus living needs of student-athletes and the general student population.”
In addition to residential space, the facility would have an athletic training table, small event spaces and other standard amenities.
Funding would come from dormitory revenue bonds and athletic department gifts and earnings.
Stadium upgrade, $35 million to $45 million. The work would renovate the north stands of Kinnick Stadium and related concourse areas. Iowa already has carried out improvements to the south and west stands, and has upgraded the turf, video boards and sound system.
“The 30-year-old north stands remain unchanged from the original 1980s construction, with the exception of the video/scoreboard that was added in 2013,” the university’s proposal says. “They have become functionally obsolete by modern-day standards.”
Athletic department gifts and earnings would pay for the project.
Indoor track and field facility, $15 million to $20 million. Spaces in the building would include an indoor track, spectator viewing area, spaces for weight and athletic training, an events operation area, offices, locker rooms and storage.
