Key word on what you quoted was construction of the stadium BEGAN with. Nothing in that statement suggests there was no public funding just none used at beginning.
As Wildcard stated, public funding was used for the last expansion - it just wasn't state money. In 2008, the state's Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee approved UofL to use "Louisville Metro Government Revenue Bonds, Series 2008A and Series 2008B" for the University of Louisville Papa John's Cardinal Stadium Expansion. If you search for this information, you can verify that to be true. By the way - it will probably only take you one guess to get why state bonds weren't approved for use for that project, and why they won't be used for this project, either.
Additional funding to finance the project included gifts, the sale of luxury suites, and loge seating (as stated below).
http://www.uoflsports.com/news/2008/4/24/State_Approves_Papa_John_s_Cardinal_Stadium_Expansion.aspx
April 24, 2008
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville has received final approval from the state of Kentucky to move forward with the proposed expansion of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, said Vice President for Athletics
Tom Jurich.
Premium seat packages and suites in the new structure are currently being sold and additional gifts are still being sought to complete the $72 million project. While increasing the seating capacity to more than 60,000, the expansion will include 45 new luxury suites, a new south terrace, 2,000 premium loge seats and additional reserved seating.
The new east side loge section will offer outside seating and inside amenities. The six-row section is adjacent to a glass-enclosed lounge area with a private entrance, concessions, and restrooms under an overhang with fans and heaters to provide a comfortable climate. Also included are 45 new luxury suites, which feature 18 outside seats plus accommodations for 8-12 persons inside.
"We're very excited to get final approval from the State of Kentucky to move forward on our stadium expansion," said Jurich. "When this project is completed, Papa John's Cardinal Stadium will be one of the finest stadiums in college football. We appreciate the response we've received from our fans and the donations we've received from our corporate partners."
Fundraising for the $72 million stadium expansion is ahead of schedule, which includes the lead gift from Papa John's and John and Annette Schnatter at $10 million.
Sun Tan City, an Elizabethtown, Ky., based company, has also made a $3 million donation, and in recognition of this gift, the formerly named red parking lot located adjacent to the stadium will be renamed the "Bronze lot".
Loge seat sales are nearing the 1,000 seat mark and nearly two-thirds of the 45 new football suites have already been committed.
"Fans are really excited about the premium loge seats being added, and our package combining these loge seats with premium basketball seats in the new downtown arena has really caught on," said Gary Friedman, Associate Athletic Director. "I anticipate, with this stadium approval, the sales momentum will increase even more and the urgency to get these seats will pick up considerably."
Information on obtaining seats in the loge and suite levels is available through the Cardinal Athletic Fund at 502-852-5735, by checking
www.UofLsports.com or by logging on to
www.PapaJohnsCardinalStadiumExpansion.com. The expansion is slated to be completed by the fall of 2010.
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