New OU Stadium Project

Pretty groovy story from Tulsa World: http://hosted.ap.org/dyna...

Basically it's saying that a lot of Gaylord Stadium facilities will be improved. Most of them are for internal benefits such as locker room, office space, equipment room and other. I bet Sooner players will love those.

But for fans, they are going to enjoy extra restroom and concession areas. Plus suites on the stadium's east side if they can afford it. Sounds good to me :)

Below is the full article:

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A $12.5 million project to continue improvements at and expansion of Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is on the agenda for the upcoming meeting of University of Oklahoma regents.

According to an agenda item for Wednesday's meeting in Norman, which was posted on the university's Web site, the proposal under consideration would be the fourth phase of stadium improvements that began in late 2002.

The proposed fourth phase would include renovation of and improvements to the football team facilities, including the team locker room and shower and restroom areas located within the Barry Switzer Center.

Also included would be the renovation of the sports medicine and the equipment room spaces within the Switzer Center and the Red Room, which is used for football team meetings.

The stadium's west mezzanine also would be renovated to provide additional office space for the athletic department, studio and office space for Sooner Vision and additional club space for patrons. Emergency lighting for the stadium's public concourses also would be added.

The agenda item notes that if approved, construction on the project would begin this month. Some portions would be mostly finished before the Sooners open their 2008 season, while other parts would be completed during the season and into 2009.

University athletic department spokesman Kenny Mossman declined comment on the agenda item until after regents hear the proposal.

Previous phases of the stadium improvements have include the construction of suites on the stadium's east side, renovation of north end zone space, the addition of brick and cast stone to the stadium's west side, added restrooms and concession areas and added brick and wrought-iron fencing for the football practice field south of the stadium.

Regents also will consider a proposal that would allow the university's administration to negotiate an agreement with an architectural consultant for the construction of a boat house along the Oklahoma River in Oklahoma City.

The boathouse will be used by the university's women's rowing program, which likely will begin competition during the 2008-09 academic year.

The recommended firm for the consulting project is Elliott and Associates Architects of Oklahoma City.