Memorial Stadium Renovation

Per an email from the Athletic Department:

  • Work continues on a plan to modernize Memorial Stadium that will carry us into the next century built on a sound and sustainable financial model. Our intention is to unveil a design, construction timetable and the financial plans in the first few months of 2025.
  • In October, the Board of Regents approved the sale of alcohol in Memorial Stadium, preceding our pursuit of a concessionaire for the 2025 season. Prior to next fall, we will redesign and modernize our concession areas to support alcohol sales and to expand offerings and service ahead of major renovations to the stadium. Also in 2025, you will see new turf in Memorial Stadium before ultimately, grass takes its place. In December, we will also be replacing turf in the Hawks Championship Center with the identical turf that will be placed in Memorial Stadium.
  • We are also taking a wholistic look at stadium security before next season. While the Evolv entrance screening technology was a good first step, security must follow up-to-date best practices. While the original stadium design never contemplated nearly half of our crowd entering through the west and southwest gates (this will be addressed in the modernization) access has been smooth. Our move to mobile ticketing for the 2025 season will only enhance access for all fans.    
  • As you are aware, cashless concessions were put into place this fall, with the average concession transaction time decreasing from 30 seconds to under 10 seconds.  
  • A $20 million investment in new cell towers around the stadium will enhance cellular connectivity in 2025, with high-speed Wi-Fi added later as a part of the modernization project.
Click to expand...

 
Lorewarn said:
New turf installed for one year? Wtf why?
Click to expand...


The current turf sucks but they aren't ready to do the switch to grass. Also don't think the new turf will only be for one year. It says ultimately we'll switch to grass, not immediately for 2026.

Also in 2025, you will see new turf in Memorial Stadium before ultimately, grass takes its place.
Click to expand...


They're also then going to repurpose the "new" turf outside the stadium since the marching band will not be allowed to practice on the grass in the stadium.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Husker in WI said:
Just paraphrasing the AD - he pretty much blamed the spring game knee injuries on it, regardless of how new it is. 
Click to expand...




Something seems fishy here. It's the same industry standard company and the same product as previous installs and installs around the country. If they're replacing it with something else for increased safety for a single year, what's the alternative that they're replacing it with?

 
Lorewarn said:
Something seems fishy here. It's the same industry standard company and the same product as previous installs and installs around the country. If they're replacing it with something else for increased safety for a single year, what's the alternative that they're replacing it with?
Click to expand...


No clue - but again, I think it's for more than a year. I don't see anything indicating they're actually ready to move to grass in 2026, it's just the plan eventually. Think they are also partially justifying the "new" turf with the fact that it will still be used by the band once it's ripped out of the stadium in favor of the grass. So whether it's in the stadium for 1, 2, or 5 years before the grass is put in, it will continue to be used after that. But yeah, I hadn't realized the current turf was that new and I'm not sure why it's critical to pull it out now and why the replacement will be any better. 

 
Here's where he's talking about the turf:




So I'd guess it's just going to be a higher-end turf product. He also mentions the construction as a reason they aren't immediately switching to grass, and I think that's slated to end prior to the 2028 season. So looks like new turf for 2025, and we'll probably use that until at least 2028 - and depending on the exact construction dates I find it difficult to believe they'd get the grass put in for that 2028 season. I'd expect grass maybe in 2029, and probably before the 2030 season. But it's not imminent, these are not short term plans. 

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I know this is an impossibility due to the astronomical cost, but it would have been amazing if they would have used the old track site on what is currently Innovation Campus and built a new stadium from the ground up. 

 
knapplc said:
I know this is an impossibility due to the astronomical cost, but it would have been amazing if they would have used the old track site on what is currently Innovation Campus and built a new stadium from the ground up. 
Click to expand...
You shut your mouth!

 
knapplc said:
I know this is an impossibility due to the astronomical cost, but it would have been amazing if they would have used the old track site on what is currently Innovation Campus and built a new stadium from the ground up. 
Click to expand...
Ohhhh, now Knap jus TRYIN to rile up the boys and girls. About as likely as an Arkansas Razorback flying...

But it's an intriguing idea. It doesn't hurt to daydream a little.

 
El Straino said:
Ohhhh, now Knap jus TRYIN to rile up the boys and girls. About as likely as an Arkansas Razorback flying...

But it's an intriguing idea. It doesn't hurt to daydream a little.
Click to expand...


Ha. I'm not trying to rile anyone up. I've talked about this before, probably in this very thread. 

It would be a great solution to one of Memorial Stadium's biggest problems - it is in an awful location. There's very little parking near the stadium itself, and as a result the tailgating scene is really dicey. One giant lot of fans all tailgating together would be ideal. Plus, starting from the ground up would give us the opportunity too create a stadium that would last another century. 

But that's all pie-in-the sky stuff. Unless Uncle Warren drops a billion dollars on UNL, there's no chance we could do this. 

 
Back
Top