TEMPE, Ariz. – Following historic contributions from its athletic director and head football coach, Arizona State University today filed an amended capital development plan with the Arizona Board of Regents that increases its reinvestment and expands the stadium project to include a new Student Athletic Facility.
ASU is currently engaged in an intensive design process to finalize construction plans for Sun Devil Stadium. Pending ABOR’s approval, ASU’s FY 2015 Amended Capital Development Plan establishes a $256 million budget for the reinvention of Sun Devil Stadium increased from the initial goal of $210 million set in January. The project will be funded with system revenue bonds and financial contributions. The debt-financed portion is currently anticipated to be $200 million. The overall private fundraising goal is now $85 million. The campaign will not use taxpayer dollars towards this renovation, since it will be self-funded through private donations and new revenue streams.
“The momentum behind what our alumni and supporters are doing for Sun Devil Athletics is truly remarkable,” said Ray Anderson, ASU Vice President for University Athletics and Athletics Director. “It enables us to expand our vision and to deliver a higher level of quality for our student-athletes and our fans. With deep gratitude, we are taking their enthusiasm and using it to reinvest.”
The Student Athletic Facility is a new addition to the project. Located at the north end of the stadium, the approximately 84,500-square-foot facility will be integrated into the existing stadium structure, and will include office and administrative spaces, meeting rooms, support space, study rooms, storage and equipment space, locker rooms, lounge areas, athletic training areas, and conference areas.
“The Student Athletic Facility is a commitment from the university to the men and women who have the privilege of representing Sun Devil Athletics,” said Anderson. “Every student-athlete who passes through here will know their commitment to ASU is reciprocated not only through our coaches, trainers, and academic support, but also with our facilities.”
Other areas that will be improved, updated, or replaced in Sun Devil Stadium during its three-year phased reinvention include reconstruction of concourse levels, restroom facilities, concessions, electrical and plumbing upgrades, new club and premium seating, improvements in the lower bowl, modifications to the upper deck, and a new videoboard and sound system.
Anderson stressed that fundraising would not slow down despite exceeding preliminary expectations for the Momentum Campaign.
“The more we work through what we need and what we want from both a functional and a fan experience perspective, the more we recognize needs to be done through our fundraising efforts,” Anderson said. “So, we’re accelerating our efforts, if anything.”
The fundraising campaign will be conducted in phases – mirroring the three-year phased reinvention of Sun Devil Stadium. Changes began this spring when approximately 5,700 seats were removed from the north end zone as a preliminary step. Work on the project will be conducted in the off-seasons while the Sun Devil football team continues to play its regular seasons in the stadium, with construction being completed in 2017.
Sun Devil Stadium originally was constructed in 1958, has played host to the Super Bowl, the Fiesta Bowl, NFL games, and the 2013 Pac-12 Championship. The last major renovation to Sun Devil Stadium came in 1988 when 1,700 seats were added to bring the facility to a capacity of 71,706. The capacity of the new stadium has yet to be determined.