Nebraska unveils $450 million plan for Memorial Stadium renovation project
The University of Nebraska unveiled its renovation plans for Memorial Stadium on Thursday, with construction expected to begin this coming spring. The year 2023 marks the 100th anniversary of the iconic venue.
NU released a comprehensive $450 million plan to renovate Memorial Stadium, which athletic director Trev Alberts and University leaders will present to the Nebraska Board of Regents during an Oct. 5 meeting in Omaha.
A total of $225 million of the $450 million will come from private funding. According to the program statement, the project has a completion date goal of July 2026 and is expected to reduce stadium capacity to around 80,000 from its current capacity of about 90,000.
University officials stressed that zero state tax dollars, student tuition or other fees will be used to pay for the renovation.
A big chunk of the project will involve South Stadium. The proposed project in the South Stadium would provide a new seating bowl with chairback seats, loading dock area renovations, new restrooms, new concessions and vertical transportation opportunities for fans in that part of the stadium.
The south end zone is the only part of Memorial Stadium that has never received a renovation since being built in the 1960s. Per the proposal, the entire South Stadium would be removed and replaced as part of this project. South Stadium would be unavailable to fans for at least the entire 2025 season and possibly the 2026 season.
The selective demolition of the East, North and West stadium areas on limited floor levels would be required.
As for the East and West stadiums, the proposed project will provide renovated restrooms, concessions, and chairback seating.
As for North Stadium, areas vacated by the football program in the Tom and Nancy Osborne Athletic Complex will be renovated to expand the existing sports performance areas to be used by all other sports except football.
Here is what Husker Athletics is presenting to the NU Board of Regents as far as the total scope of the project:
Full project description
***The renovation of Memorial Stadium includes all four sides of the stadium: South, East,
North, and West.
***South Stadium demolition and replacement with chair-back general seating and enhanced
premium seating
***New chair-back seating in the West and East Stadiums with increased aisle width
***360-degree field level concourse connection
***270-degree main level concourse connection
***New stadium support spaces to include loading dock, vertical transportation, and
commissary to enhance “game day” operations and the ability for 365-day use of the facility
***Concession upgrades, refurbished menu options and added points of sale throughout the
stadium
***Restroom modernization throughout the stadium
***Re-organization of various Athletic Department functions in the North Stadium
***Academic curriculum space allocation
***Development of the South Plaza as a new gateway to the west edge of campus
***Enhanced student life amenities
***ADA upgrades through the stadium
Alberts said in a prepared statement that fans may need to be patient as the major renovations are being completed.
“One hundred years ago, Nebraskans came together to celebrate the first game at Memorial Stadium – the start of what would become a century’s worth of memories for students, alumni, fans and families all across our state,” Alberts said. “Now our fans have an opportunity to come together again to ensure that we can make memories for another century. After 100 years, the reality is our stadium needs significant modernization.
“A project of this scale can’t happen without some degree of disruption, but we ask our fans to give us grace as we work through our ambitious plans. We could not be more excited to bring this proposal to the Board of Regents and share our vision with Nebraskans for making Memorial Stadium the home of one of the best fan experiences in college athletics.”
“The University of Nebraska is proud to be investing in excellence in all areas — academic and athletic. Facilities are a crucial part of that strategy,” University of Nebraska President Ted Carter said in a prepared statement. “Just as we are making unprecedented investments in our classroom and laboratory space, outstanding athletics facilities help to build Nebraskans’ excitement about their university and add to the power of our national brand.
“This project is an exciting part of our vision for Nebraska to compete at the highest levels across the board.”
Alberts will speak to the media at 10:30 a.m. CT on Thursday with more details on this project.
