The Univ. of Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium is “set to undergo an ambitious” $450M renovation, according to Henry Cordes of the OMAHA WORLD-HERALD. The improvements will mean “displacement of some 23,000 fans in South Stadium for at least one season” beginning in 2025, plus a “permanent reduction of the stadium’s seating capacity to 80,000.” Preliminary plans call for the “total demolition of South Stadium," with it replaced by a “new multiple-level grandstand featuring a new student section and back concourse where students can gather and mingle, new premium seating with lounge areas, and general seating with chair backs.” Plans similarly call for “chairback seats to replace benches in the East and West Stadiums,” and there would be “restroom, concession and accessibility upgrades throughout the stadium.” Once demolition begins “right after the 2024 regular season ends,” South Stadium seating will be “unavailable during the 2025 season, and possibly in 2026.” Memorial Stadium’s current capacity will “shrink 10% to 12% -- about 9,000 to 11,000 fewer seats.” Plans call for “at least” $225M of the $450M cost of the stadium overhaul to be “raised from private donors.” At least $100M “more will come from athletic funds,” including $50M in donor-given reserves and $50M from currently generated revenues. Where the final $125M will come from “remains to be seen.” NU AD Trev Alberts did “not rule out seeking public funds to upgrade a facility with proven economic impact for Nebraska.” However, he “made clear” that the school would “not tap any of the tax dollars, tuition or student fees that currently fund the university” (OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, 9/28).
