Model of phase one of the Dix Stadium renovations with a new roof over the upper loge and new outdoor graphics. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF THE UNIVERSITY ARCHITECT

Credit: DKS Editors

Just in time for the home season opener against Delaware State Sept. 15, phase one of a two-phase plan to renovate Dix Stadium will be complete.

Laing Kennedy, director of athletics, said the renovations will keep pace with and exceed those of other institutions in the conference.

“Once completed, we will have a first class Division I football stadium,” he said.

Phase one includes a new brick fa‡ade on all four bathrooms and the locker room as well as improved roadways. The north end zone bleachers will be sandblasted and painted beige. There will be a new canopy over the upper loges, a new entryway and new graphics on the outside of the stadium.

Phase two will include a new wrought iron fence and a new video scoreboard similar to those at Miami and Ohio University. The south stands will also be removed, which will reduce the number of seats from 30,000 to approximately 28,000.

The first phase cost $2.2 million and the second phase will cost $1 million. The project is being financed by private gifts and the capital improvements budget of the university.

The second phase should be finished in time for next season’s opener.

Andre Seoldo, assistant director of athletics, said the goal of the renovations is to improve the look of the stadium and the overall fan experience.

“There really hasn’t been work done to the stadium since it was built in 1966,” Seoldo said.

Kennedy said the improvements will help the university recruit student athletes.

Also, Seoldo said the renovations are a lot more economical than building a new stadium, which the University of Akron is doing for $55 million.

Contact principal reporter Kiera Manion-Fischer at [email protected].