COLUMBUS (WCMH)– The renovations, which are expected to be finished by 2020, include more premium seating as well as an increase in the number of suites at Ohio Stadium.
Officials with the Ohio State University made the announcement of the renovations Tuesday during a press conference.
The project is expected to cost $42 million and includes:
- restore and re-coat the 94-year old concrete on C-deck.
- upgrade power distribution systems for the east, west and south stands.
- improve and upgrade B-deck to include better lighting, larger televisions, an improved sound system and better scoreboards, which will improve the experience of fans with obstructed-view seats.
- renovate the premium seating area to consolidate the university suites into one University Suite and add 35 loge boxes and 12 luxury suites.
“We are committed to providing our fans, players and coaches with one of the best facilities in the nation,” said Gene Smith. “We knew we had to get some of this done in order to avoid future degradation of the cement on C-deck. At the same time, we have fans requesting upgraded seating options. We see this as a great opportunity to accomplish both projects. It’s an important investment in the stadium that is beloved by so many.”
However, the renovations will mean the removal of 2,600 seats starting in the 2018 season, dropping gameday seating from 104,944 to 102,854. Those seats will not be available for the 2016 season ticket holder seat selection process. However, they will be available this season for alumni and public purchase on a single-game basis. Even though seats will be removed, there will still be an overall gain of 525 seats over the pre-2014 south stand expansion. Most of the seats lost will be on B-deck in areas that can have obstructed views and where some fans traditionally consider the view to be less than ideal.
Project timeline
- Design and build process completed in fall 2016.
- C-deck concrete restoration takes place in phases from 2017-2020.
- Removal of 2,600 seats begins with the 2018 season.
- University Suite expansion completed in Aug., 2017.
- Suites and loge seats completed in 2019.
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