Economic uncertainties and the state’s budget deficit have prompted questions regarding the future of the Camp Randall renovation project.

The UW Athletic Department has reportedly discussed delaying the $99.7 million project, the Wisconsin State Journal reported Thursday.

But Chancellor John Wiley said the status of the renovation process has not changed.

“Nothing really has changed other than some increasing concern over the state budget,” Wiley said.

He said factors affecting the athletic department’s budget, such as the hiring of extra security at football games since Sept. 11 and decreased state aid to the athletic department, raise concerns about the department’s budget.

“I don’t want to go ahead with the project if it endangers the athletic department’s budget,” Wiley said.

The project, which began with infrastructure improvements earlier this month, is scheduled for completion in August 2004.

Wiley said the university needs to make sure the project is financially feasible and expects to know in a month whether the renovation will be delayed.

UW Athletic Director Pat Richter told the Wisconsin State Journal that although the department no longer receives money from the state, there is a shared sense of responsibility with the rest of campus.

“We’re not on an island here,” Richter said. “We’re sensitive to how our decisions affect the institution and how the current state budget affects all of us at Wisconsin.”

Currently, the athletic department plans to fund 90 percent of the renovation through the sale of luxury suites, club seats, a preferred seating plan known as the Badger Fund and private gifts.

The project plans to increase the stadium’s capacity by 5,500, bringing the total to 82,500 and will include a building to house coaches, support staff and athletic department administrators.

The athletic department is scheduled to present the UW Board of Regents with a funding update next month; the decision to delay the project is likely to come prior to this update.