Southern University stadium expansion to start in February '08

Photo: Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South performing at half-time in A.W. Mumford Stadium, 2007.

After years of delays and criticism, Southern University officials said Friday that the expansion of A.W. Mumford Stadium is finally set to begin next month. The expansion will add 2,500 seats to the 26,500-seat stadium. Southern borrowed $60 million through bonds for construction, with about $14.5 million for the stadium. The cost now comes in at $16.5 million, but Hughes said reserve funds will adequately cover such overruns.

The 18-month construction of the north end zone enclosure and new football complex is expected to be completed in July 2009. Along with the stadium enclosure, the project will include new training facilities, lockers rooms, offices, a weight room, sports memorabilia spaces, meetings rooms, about 500 club-level seats and 2,000 end zone seats.

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Two years of procrastination (politics) and everyone wanting to have input into the project will cost the university $2 million plus before the project is completed. Bottom line, this expansion of A.W. Mumford Stadium is very good for Southern University to stay competitive in Louisiana and Southwestern Athletic Conference athletics.

To view the plans, budget and architectural drawings for the project, please click on this .pdf file link and view pages 8-12 of the document: http://members.cox.net/trey636/BOND%20PROJECT.pdf

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