The Ken Garff family has pledged US$17.5m for the renovation and expansion of Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah.
The donation will help fund construction of the Ken Garff Performance Zone in the south end zone, the only feature of the old stadium that remained when the current facility opened in 1998. The renovations will include enclosing the stadium bowl by connecting the east and west concourses on the south end, which will increase audience capacity from 45,807 to 51,444.
The upgrades will also enhance the fan experience by adding premium seating in luxury suites and loge boxes, as well as club, ledge and rooftop seating. The locker and meeting rooms below the current south end zone stands will be replaced and modernized, and new spaces created for coaches, officials, athletic training, equipment, press operations and the band. A kitchen, recruiting lounge, field-level club lounge and outdoor patio are also planned.
Construction will begin after the last home game in 2020 and will be completed prior to the kick-off of the 2021 football season.
The Ken Garff family’s donation is the lead gift in the US$80m stadium project. To date, donors have pledged US$32m of the US$35m sought in philanthropic gifts. The remaining US$45m will be generated through various revenue sources associated with the project.
Pic credit: University of Utah
