Camp Randall is looking to prove that even an 86 year old can compete with the younger swingers.
It all started back in 2000, when officials decided the stadium was in need of renovations, comparable to a rough draft done an hour before class. The renovations were to be the first maintenance improvements since an upper deck was added to the stadium in 1966. When the project started, there was to be an addition of three levels of suites (96 in total), a new video-replay screen and scoreboard, sound system and permanent lights, and finally, 5,500 seats, raising the capacity to about 82,500 fans, along with restructuring the foundation of the stadium.
With the basic foundation work complete, the renovation hit its major snag in February 2002, when the renovations were forced to a TV-timeout standstill. Three major contributing factors to the delay of the project were: a sluggish national economy, cuts in state funding and the increase in security costs due to the events of Sept. 11, 2001. The primary projection of $99.7 million had ballooned to $103.9 million.
“We want to make sure that our financing is really secure,” UW Chancellor John Wiley said at the time of the delay. “The last thing we want to do is go ahead with a renovation project of this magnitude and endanger the athletic department’s budget.”
The break in action would last nearly eight months, when a special gift put the project back on track.
In mid October 2002, a $6 million-dollar present from Milwaukeean business brothers Ted and Jack Kellner became the catalyst that renovation needed.
“It is a great day for Badger athletics,” UW athletic director Pat Richter said in a news conference. “This gift allows us to move forward in a way I believe will be even better than perhaps a year ago.”
A revised project, costing $72.5 million, was approved in December, and the real work started a little over a month ago. As of now, it is a two-phase project, with some work being done during the upcoming season and then phase two during the 2004 season, with the finished product being presented for the 2005 season.
Through rain, snow and sweltering heat, phase one is already under way. Phase one will include the erection of new club seats on the east side of the stadium, a new fifth concourse level, rebuilding the south end-zone seating bowl with a new concourse, rest rooms, concession stands, locker rooms and various other new facilities. As for the scoreboard, it’s still labeled “under construction” and as of now will not be ready for the 2003 season.
What inconveniences are Badger fans looking at for the 2003 season? For those who didn’t attended the spring game, the major work on the stadium, and the detours that come with them, are becoming evident. The entire east side of the stadium was closed for the game, with only limited entrances open. However, by the time the 2003 season rolls around, there should be only minor inconveniences.
During next season, Camp Randall will look a lot like a construction worker’s playground, with heavy machinery that will make even the biggest offensive linemen look like ants. While the project has had its bumps along the road and the renovations are not going to be as large as first thought, by the time 2005 season rolls around, Camp Randall might even be mistaken for a stadium half its age.
