Texas A&M have recently unveiled the renderings of their new renovation plans for Kyle Field.
The four-year, $400 million project would make Kyle Field’s new capacity somewhere between 93,000 and 103,500. If it does go for the latter, the new Kyle Field would be the largest stadium in the SEC. (Passing Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium which has a compacity of 102,455). It currently holds 83,000.
Bidding for renovations were opened by the university last November and the project was awarded to Manhattan Construction Group and Vaughn Construction, who will be taking on the renovations as a joint venture. The Manhattan Group is no stranger to sports architecture, as they oversaw construction of Reliant Stadium in Houston and Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. Vaughn Construction has overseen 45 projects for Texas A&M worth an total cost of over $600 million.
The plans for the new stadium call for the south end zone (currently open) to be closed off and add two new levels: The upper level would add an estimated 12,000 new seats, with potential for even more to be added in the future; the lower level of the enclosure would house an area for press, 12th Man Productions, a football locker room and a recruiting room. In addition to the renovations on the south end zone, the entire west side stands and press box, as well as parts of the east side stands will be demolished to make way for private suites and two existing buildings near the stadium. The field itself will then be lowered seven feet and moved approximately 18 feet to the south.
All in all, the new Kyle Field will be a lot bigger and significantly louder than it currently is. It may even compete with the University of Florida’s “Swamp” and LSU’s “Death Valley” for the SEC’s loudest stadium.
Construction is set to begin sometime next winter after the final home game of the 2013 season, and it will continue in phases during the offseason, as to not interfere with games in the fall. Each phase will be eight-months, with the final completion date set to be around August 2016.
