Ole Miss announces plans for stadium expansion
By 2016, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium will be the largest stadium in the state of Mississippi.
Ole Miss director of athletics Ross Bjork announced renovation plans for the Rebels’ home on Monday, highlighted by the north endzone becoming bowled in and a new video board, among other additions.
The plans coincide with the Forward Together campaign the university announced in 2011. The current total for the campaign stands at $175.75 million, up from the initial $150 million, according to the Jackson Clarion-Ledger. Renderings of the plans for Vaught-Hemingway Stadium were released at the outset of the Forward Together campaign, and again last year, though Bjork says the plans announced on Monday best fit Ole Miss’ needs and its financial capabilities.
New renderings should be released soon.
Capacity will increase to 64,038 and is expected to be completed in time for the 2016 season.
Construction will begin in December 2015. Additional work will begin on the south endzone on Jan. 7, which will add 30 luxury suites and 770 club level suites for 2015.
The student section will move from the south endzone to the north endzone, according to the Clarion-Ledger. Bjork said the move will increase to student capacity to more than 10,000 seats, up from the current 8,100.
The north endzone will be home to a new video board, which will stand 104 feet wide by 94 feet tall. Two new video boards will occupy each side the north endzone, both at 30 feet wide by 50 feet high.
Bjork said the new capacity of 64,000-plus meets the demand of the university, and that the changes take advantage of the current infrastructure. Bjork added, however, that the way the north endzone will be constructed allows for future expansion, if necessary.
The way the north endzone is structured allows for future expansion, should the need arise.
— Hugh Kellenberger (@HKellenbergerCL) December 15, 2014