DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium Renovations (Univ. of Texas)

[Lextx97]

I know there were some pictures/renderings and information in another thread concerning the renovations and rebuilding of the north endzone of the stadium, but I thought I would post a link to the webcam for the construction. The renovations began on Dec. 8th (Fri.) and the old endzone has now been completely razed <sp>. Also, I've attached a few links to threads at hornfans.com that have a number of cool pictures that captured the wrecking ball dismantling of the old endzone. The last link has before and after pictures:

http://www.texassports.com/webcam.html

Wrecking ball has come

North endzone is gone

DKR NEZ renovation

Here's an overlay of the old stadium endzone (yellow) with the new renovated endzone rendering:



Before:


After (models):

[elmariachi]

What will be the capacity when it is done? What is the current capacity?

[Lextx97]

The current capacity is listed at 80,082. The renovated stadium will have a capacity of just over 90,000 when finally completed in 2008. For the 2007 season, only the lower horseshoe part will be completed. Without the new upper deck, the new endzone will actually have a smaller capacity than the old configuration. Thus, bleachers were and will be further added to address the lower capacity, in the interim.

This season, 4,000 bleachers were added to the south end (open end) of the stadium raising the capacity to 85,000. The average attendence was just under 89,000 (counting all heads in the stadium). 3,000 additional bleachers will be added for the 2007 season for a total 7,000. I'm not certain what the capacity will be with all the bleachers provided in the interim - perhaps near 85,000. I'm also not certain whether the bleachers will remain after the final renovation is complete. There certainly appears to be a demand for the seats - now. We'll just have to wait and see. If the bleachers remain, capacity could reach near 100,000 for the highest profile games. If the bleachers are removed, it's more likely that average attendence will be at around 93,000.

[GoldenBoot]

What will be the capacity when it is done? What is the current capacity?

The $176 million first phase of "bowling-off" DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium has begun. Roughly 10,000 new seats will be added by razing the north endzone stands and replacing it with a new lower deck (directly behind the field); Club level seats and luxury suites; and a new upper deck (which will be a continuation, or “wrap-around,” of the stadium’s east upper deck. Upon completion of this phase of the expansion, the stadium’s official seating capacity will increase to approximately 92,000-95,000; with gameday attendances between 97,000 and 100,000 (roughly 104% of seating capacity).

NOTE: The University has yet to publicly announce the new (first phase) official seating capacity for the stadium. So far, they have maintained it will be "more than 90,000."

There is no current timeline as to when construction will begin on the next phase - bowling-off the south endzone. Once fully complete, DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium will likely have an official seating capacity of 115,500 or more (pushing gameday attendances to over 122,000) according to the University's master plan approved in the late 1990's.

Currently, DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium has an official seating capacity of 85,123 (including 4,000 “temporary” bleacher seats in the south endzone). In 2006, the University of Texas had 7 home games and averaged 88,505 spectators per home opening (ranking #1 in the Big 12 Conference and #10 in the nation in average attendance).

''Top 10 Largest Crowds at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium:''

1) 89,422 - Ohio State - 2006
2) 89,102 - Texas A&M - 2006
3) 89,036 - Oklahoma State - 2006
4) 88,972 - Iowa State - 2006
5) 88,966 - Baylor - 2006
6) 88,913 - Sam Houston State - 2006
7) 85,123 - North Texas - 2006
8) 84,082 - Nebraska - 1999
9) 84,012 - Texas A&M - 2000
10) 83,919 - Texas Tech - 2005

*P.S.
1) I have not heard any information regarding the aforementioned addition of 3,000 bleacher seats. Nothing has been made public by the University. Additionally, the south endzone cannot accommodate bleacher seating of 7,000. The height of the bleachers would begin to obscure the view of the new Godzillatron.

2) The lower deck of the expansion should be complete by August 2007. The sky boxes, club seating and upper deck should be complete by August 2008. I am not sure of the breakdown in seat numbers.

[Mopacs]

WOW, that was quick

[Lextx97]

As for the additional 3,000 bleachers for the 2007 season, I haven't found anything to officially confirm from the university. However, Suzanne Halliburton stated as such a few weeks ago in the AAS, although she doesn't state the exact number:

Q: What will DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium look like on opening day in 2007? What will be the capacity beginning in 2008 when this phase is complete?

A: The athletic department just announced more renovation specifics this week. Demolition on the north end zone starts in early December. The lower deck will be finished by the the 2007 kickoff; to compensate for the temporary loss of seats in the north end zone, more bleachers will be added to the south end for 2007.

http://www.statesman.com/search/cont.../10asksue.html

Chip Brown (DMN) also stated the same earlier this year:

It [Adzillatron] sits above 4,000 portable bleachers Texas has added to help meet demand for tickets at Royal-Memorial Stadium this season. (Texas has sold out its allotment of 74,000 season tickets and could have sold at least 2,000 more).

The number of portable bleachers will grow to 7,000 next season as Texas rebuilds its north end zone.

http://www.wcnc.com/s/dws/nwsltr/spo....30f227c4.html

[KevinFromTexas]

Has anybody heard anything about how tall the stadium is?

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by Lextx97

As for the additional 3,000 bleachers for the 2007 season, I haven't found anything to officially confirm from the university. However, Suzanne Halliburton stated as such a few weeks ago in the AAS, although she doesn't state the exact number:

http://www.statesman.com/search/cont.../10asksue.html

Chip Brown (DMN) also stated the same earlier this year:


http://www.wcnc.com/s/dws/nwsltr/spo....30f227c4.html

Excellent! Thanks for the info. Lextx97! I had not seen or heard of the additional seating for 2007 - since the north endzone's new lower deck is supposed to be completed by August 2007.

I'm interested in learning more about where (and how) they propose to add the additional 3,000 bleacher seats in the south endzone.