OU Board of Regents detail upgrades to nine facilities
The Oklahoma Board of Regents provided an update on the improvement of nine athletic facilities on Friday.
As required by the Oklahoma State Regents of Higher Education, OU produced its yearly Master Plan of Capital Improvement Projects. The plan reflects the inflation-adjusted costs of the university’s long-term plans.
The board’s most recent update estimates the planned improvements to cost a total of $485 million. This is made possible by a combination of private and other Athletic Department funds.
No timeline was provided for the construction of the following projects.
Atop the list of projects is the ongoing renovation of football’s Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Following upgrades to the south and west side of the stadium along with the north end zone, future remaining phases have a projected cost of $300 million.
Per the board’s agenda, those upgrades include additional concourses and seating, handrails, technology improvements, game day operations and press facilities; space for Athletics administration and related operations; the demolition of the existing press box structure and the construction of a new west addition that will “significantly improve” patron and fan amenities; and field lighting improvements.
The Bud Wilkinson/Wagner redevelopment at the Northeast corner of Lindsey and Jenkins streets is also estimated to cost $75 million. The undertaking includes the relocation of the Student Athlete Academic Services, collaborative learning areas, an administrative office space, Varsity O-Club facilities, a multipurpose space and a review of the need for surface or structured parking in the area. OU is set to break ground on Love’s Field this summer as well. An estimated $42 million will be spent on spectator seating, fan amenities, team facilities, parking expansion and other site improvements.
Next up is the expansion of L. Dale Mitchell Baseball Park. Upgrades to spectator seating, fan amenities, team facilities and other site improvements are estimated to cost $30 million.
Gymnastics is also being shown some love following the women’s team’s national championship. Sam Viersen Gymnastics Center is set to receive upgrades to the team and training facilities along with other site improvements. This is estimated to cost $12 million.
Upgrades to Gregg Wadley Indoor Tennis Pavilion and Headington Family Tennis Center are estimated to total $8 million. This includes changes to spectator seating, fan amenities, team facilities and other site improvements.
An estimated $7 million worth of upgrades is also set to be made to Charlie Coe Golf Learning Center. Improvements will be made to the team and training facilities along with other on-site areas.
Lloyd Noble Center is set to receive a touchup as well. Upgrades to both the men’s and women’s basketball teams’ suites are estimated to cost $6 million.
Finally, Mosier Indoor Track Facility will receive some attention. An estimated $5 million will be spent on upgrades to the performance surface, venue infrastructure, team facilities and other onsite areas.
The board also approved the appointment of Rufus Alexander and Greg Nation as senior sports recruiting coordinators for the athletic department. Alexander is a former OU linebacker who will receive a salary of $100,000 for 12 months, while Nation is a former Norman High football coach who will receive a salary of $105,000.
The board’s agenda also detailed the recent donation of Tim Headington. The long-time OU supporter gifted $10 million to the athletic department and the construction of a student-athlete success center.