The University of Tennessee has broken ground on a $95 million renovation of its baseball facility that school officials say will make Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville one of the premier college baseball venues in the nation.
WATE-TV reports that the upgrades will increase the seating capacity of the stadium from around 4,300 to about 6,150. Additonal space will be available to provide standing room access for another 1,600. Concourses will be widened to accommodate the increase in visitors, create social areas throughout the ballpark as well as add more restrooms and concessions.
New seating and amenities will be available along the first- and third-base lines starting in 2024. All renovations are planned to be completed in time for the 2025 season.
Areas along the third-base line will see major changes including the development of main entryways and more permanent seating.
The expansion will add a premium level of 8,000 square feet with over 600 club seats and eight luxury suites.
Former Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, who played baseball and football at Tennessee, and his wife, Christy, donated $1 million to the renovation.