The University of Texas has released a document outlining plans for the US$140m expansion and renovation of the south end zone at the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
The 93-year-old venue is home to the Longhorns college football program and the development project has requested to replace the existing bleachers and existing video display, also known as ‘Godzillatron’.
The display was once the largest in the world when it was installed in 2006 for US$8m, measuring 134ft wide by 55ft high. However, it has becoming increasingly expensive to maintain and replace parts in recent years and saw a full upgrade prior to the 2017 season. With the planned expansion of seating in the south end zone it is unclear as of yet whether any new design would have the space to accommodate such a large display.
Although no artist renderings have been released, the request for qualifications for construction document sent to potential companies includes a section called ‘Project Description, Scope and Budget’ where the university requests “new exclusive suites; clubs; open air concourses; restroom facilities; new coaches offices; a banquet kitchen; premium, loge and student seating; private game-day parking; branding graphics; Longhorn Network areas; sports medicine/nutrition areas; hydrotherapy; and other support spaces”.
The Royal-Memorial Stadium, which currently has a capacity of 100,119 and is the sixth largest collegiate stadium in the USA, last saw an expansion to the south end zone seating in 2009 to the horseshoe-shaped venue.
According to the construction timeline listed in the document an execution agreement is projected to be completed by late June, which could lead to the possibility of construction beginning in 2019 and could be completed by 2021.
April 18, 2018
