Purdue 'moving right along on schedule' with Ross-Ade project
Drive by Ross-Ade Stadium, and you can see the construction equipment and watch the whirl of hardhats as workers push on during an extensive renovation that’s taking place.
Work began on the $45 million project shortly after the conclusion of the 2022 home football schedule. The project has three main components:
• Building a tunnel from the locker room in the Kozuch Football Performance Complex to the stadium
• Converting and expanding a Purdue Team Store located in the northeast corner of the Ross-Ade parking lot into a dining/nutrition center
• Overhauling the south end zone
“Hunt (Construction) is doing a great job as our general contractor,” said Purdue AD Mike Bobinski. “They’re arguably the best in the business when it comes to these kinds of projects. And they’re doing great work and moving right along on schedule.”
For the most part, the project is expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2023 season, which will be the 100th for Ross-Ade Stadium. The first game is Sept. 2 vs. Fresno State.
The south end zone and tunnel are expected to be ready for the first game, but the dining/nutrition center won’t be, which was expected.
“We’re targeting a July 1 of ’24 for actual operation date,” said Bobinski. “I think the structure will be buttoned up really pretty well by the fall. They’re moving right along on that right now.
“I think it’s a matter of the kitchen equipment and things that just have a really long lead time from a delivery perspective that wouldn’t make that available right this fall.”
MORE: As Purdue home football schedule ends, Ross-Ade project set to kick off | A.D. Mike Bobinski confident south end zone, tunnel will be ready for Purdue opener | Tiller Tunnel ensures former Purdue coach’s legacy: ‘He never felt it was about him’
The graphics for the inside of the recently branded “Tiller Tunnel” also may not be complete.
“Those are the things that get problematic to get completely buttoned up right before in a tight time frame,” said Bobinski. “But those concepts that have been put together are really cool and when it’s all finished, which hopefully will be before we kick off on the 2nd, it will be really cool.”
Purdue had a specially directed fund-raising effort for the Tiller Tunnel during the school’s Day of Giving last month. Drew and Brittany Brees committed matching dollars to those who contributed to the Tiller Tunnel.
“I think the Tiller Tunnel will be everything that people would imagine it to be in terms of just a changer and an unbelievable way for a team to enter the field,” said Bobinski. “I think it’s even cooler and more impactful than I could have imagined.”
