Thursday, March 28, 2024

ODU unveils $55 million proposal to expand, rebuild Foreman Field

An architectural rendering of the recommended Phase I of the Foreman Field rebuild. (Courtesy of ODU)
An architectural rendering of the recommended Phase I of the Foreman Field rebuild. (Courtesy of ODU)

NORFOLK – Old Dominion University’s Foreman Field will be rebuilt for $55 million without raising student fees under a plan endorsed Thursday by the school’s Board of Visitors.

The overhaul will remove Foreman Field’s bleachers, add 15,500 new chair-back seats and increase capacity to 22,130 people, about 2,000 more than the stadium can currently hold, according to a release.

The approach was pursued using the results of a survey by sports facility research firm CSL International of alumni, students, faculty, staff, donors and community members, according to ODU. Foreman Field was built in 1936 and has been serving sellout crowds since football returned to the university in 2009, the release said.

“While fans indicated the most meaningful aspect of game day was the atmosphere at Foreman Field, they expressed the need for the University to enhance their football experience by improving the comfort of seats and expanding food, restroom and other amenities,” the release said.

A computer-rendered image of the current Foreman Field. (Courtesy of ODU)
A computer-rendered image of the current Foreman Field. (Courtesy of ODU)

ODU’s Board of Visitors is taking a phased approach to the stadium expansion. The $55 million first phase will rebuild the entire east and west bowls with 26 rows of chair-back seats and add new concession stands, restrooms and an enhanced press box. The north and south end zones will remain intact. The first phase of work will make it possible for a later expansion of the stadium to more than 30,000 seats with an enclosure of the north end zone and, potentially, upper decks.

“This decision, based on solid research and the preferences of the Monarch community, positions the university for the future within a bold yet sensible framework,” ODU President John R. Broderick said in the release. “I’m excited that we will enhance the Foreman Field experience for fans without putting additional financial pressure on our students.”

The next step will be to seek non-general appropriation for the first phase in the next state budget cycle, Broderick said.

[pdf-embedder url=”http://wydaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/foreman-field-study-presentation.pdf”]

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