ASU board OKs $29M expansion of stadium

The Arkansas State University board of trustees Monday unanimously approved a ground-lease agreement that permits the start of a $29 million north end zone expansion project at Centennial Bank Stadium, which will be paid for with funds from the Red Wolves Foundation.

The project includes a 66,553-square-foot athletics facility -- with a weight room, training and rehabilitation area, academic rooms, and a team theater-seating room -- and premium seating in the north end zone.

The premium seating will include 150 loge boxes and 68 premium seats, and there will be landscape features that "pay homage to the state of Arkansas," such as waterfalls.

ASU System President Chuck Welch said the matter was "time-sensitive" because they are hoping to have the premium seating done by the next football season.

Construction, ASU Athletic Director Terry Mohajir said, could start as early as next week.

"It helps us from a lot of different areas," Mohajir said. "No. 1, it helps us generate revenue. It helps us retain and keep coaches. It helps us show students and recruits, and just regular students that want to come here that, you know what, we're an emerging university, and we think big. Not only do we think big, but we put into action what we believe we can do."

The trustees voted 5-0 to lease with the Red Wolves Foundation through Dec. 31, 2037, at a rent of $100 a year.

Board member Tim Langford of Little Rock said the project -- which he started hearing about in the spring -- was necessary for ASU to keep up with its peers in terms of recruitment and for the university to address potential equity issues with regard to Title IX.

Trustee Price Gardner of Little Rock said he spent a lot of time thinking about the matter.

"As a former player, I recognize the need for a facility," he said. "As a trustee, this is an approximately $29 million commitment ... and it's not a decision taken lightly or without a lot of additional diligence. All the boxes have been checked when questions have been asked. Like it or not, the realities of having a program that competes at the level ours does makes it a need rather than a want."

Sports on 11/21/2017

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