TCU’s Board of Trustees approved fundraising efforts for an Amon G Carter Stadium renovation Tuesday morning, a project that is expected to cost $100 million dollars and begin in May of 2018. The announcement comes courtesy of www.gofrogs.com.
Originally disclosed as part of a survey earlier this fall, the plans became official with Tuesday’s vote. The plans include additional luxury seating, two private clubs, 1,000 additional club seats, and a large balcony that will overlook Frog Alley.
Taking place on the east side of the stadium, the updates will increase the popular premium seating options for Frog fans as well as create several new spaces that can be used for outside events on game days. Additionally, TCU will update the north end zone video board, expanding it and bringing it up to standards from across the conference and country.
The project, with an estimated total cost of $100 million, calls for two new levels of luxury seating above the current upper deck on the east side of the stadium. The expansion will include 48 loge boxes with two private clubs, over 1,000 club seats and 20 luxury suites. There will also be a 100-foot outdoor balcony overlooking Frog Alley, the TCU campus and downtown Fort Worth as well as vast additional premium space that can be used for outside events on game days. Additionally, a new video board will be installed in the north end zone.
While construction is expected to begin this spring (assuming the money is raised, which judging by the last go-round, won’t be a problem at all), it won’t be completed in time for the 2018 season. That means a season in an unfinished stadium, which could displace fans for the coming campaign. Regardless, it’s in line with the long-term vision for TCU Athletics, and something Athletic Director Chris Del Conte is excited about.
"We are very grateful to our Board of Trustees for their support on this project," TCU director of intercollegiate athletics Chris Del Conte said. "In this ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics, you need to reinvest in your facilities. This project will position us well for the future.
"The expansion would not be possible without the passion of our fan base. There is demand for premium seating and suites. As is always the case at TCU, we must secure the funding in advance before construction can begin. We are confident the TCU Horned Frogs family will again be up to the challenge as they have been for our other recent projects, including the rebuild of Amon G. Carter Stadium and the opening of the Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena."
"Our fans and donors have expressed a strong desire for more premium seating before and throughout the feasibility process we conducted," TCU deputy athletics director for external affairs Jeremiah Donati said. "We believe this proposed balance of suites, loge boxes and club seating will provide an enhanced game-day experience for our fans that will rival any other in college football."
The second round comes just six years after a $164 million renovation that coincided with the move into the Big 12 Conference. The first round, also spearheaded by Del Conte, was raised completely prior to construction began and was an impressive feat by the private university, proving that they could indeed be players on the big stage. This next step will only further that truth.
You can see the full renderings here.
Special thanks to www.gofrogs.com for the information and photo.