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The athletics division of Indiana University is taking steps to explore the modernisation of Memorial Stadium, the 52,000-capacity home of its American football team which opened in 1960.
IU Athletics has engaged sports planning and advisory firm Nations Group to assist in its efforts. Stakeholders including ticket buyers, fans, donors and business leaders have been invited to provide feedback on a range of topics relating to modernising the stadium and enhancing the game-day experience.
Areas being explored include a reimagined concourse, new social gathering spaces, upgraded concessions and restrooms, and enhanced premium seating options and locations.
Memorial Stadium has undergone two recent major renovation projects. The North End Zone Student-Athlete Development Center was completed in 2009, enclosing the north end of the stadium and connecting the east and west stands to create a horseshoe layout.
The North End Zone project also included new office, meeting, locker room, banquet, and strength and conditioning spaces for the Hoosier American football programme and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
In 2018, the stadium underwent another major renovation as the IU Excellence Academy was completed. The student-centred facility spans 66,575 square feet and enclosed the south end of the stadium to create a bowl effect for spectators.
The two projects cost a combined $86m (£67m/€79m)‚ and focused on enhancing the student-athlete experience. Any future renovation would be centred on enhancing the game-day experience for fans.
Scott Dolson, IU vice-president and director of athletics, said: “We are thrilled to begin the process of gathering input from Hoosier fans about a facility project that would transform how our fans enjoy Indiana Football gamedays. We’re excited to be able to partner on this project with Nations Group, which has the experience and market knowledge to help us inform a capital facility project of this magnitude.
“As we enter this exploratory stage, my hope is that Hoosier fans will join in on this endeavour by providing this much-needed input. Our goal is to identify and deliver on what our fans from their gameday experience, which makes this feedback a critical component of doing something of this magnitude the right way.”
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