Missouri seeks stadium expansion for SEC move

Monday, June 25, 2012

ALAN SCHER ZAGIER

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — The University of Missouri has unveiled its long-promised plans to upgrade athletic facilities as it moves to the Southeastern Conference.

Plans released by the school on Monday call for the addition of 6,000 seats at Memorial Stadium, which currently has a capacity of 71,004. Even with the addition, Missouri would still rank ninth in stadium size among the 14 SEC schools.

University curators will discuss the plans on Tuesday.

Missouri also wants to add more enclosed luxury suites and expand a concourse at the stadium’s north entrance that could allow another seating increase in the future.

The school is also seeking to improve its tennis and golf facilities as well as its softball and baseball stadiums. The projects would cost $72 million in debt financing paid through bonds.

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JCLifer 11 months ago

Governor Nixon cuts funding for academics three years in a row, but the university wants to spend what little money it has on sports... Is there any wonder why Missouri is #50th bottom-feeder state with NO JOBS?

MO4LIFE 11 months ago

50th in state pay only!

JCLifer 11 months ago

Nope, we are near the bottom of the pile for many measures, not just pay. 25 years ago it was not like this.

Sequoia 11 months ago

Lotta chickens being counted before this SEC thing hatches.

Just what we need from state government: more luxury boxes, golf courses and tennis courts.

Why is it the people have to pay for amenities that benefit the few? Can't the richy riches pay for their own luxury boxes? Why do people who need government handouts the least (and those who oppose government "handouts" the most) ALWAYS GET THE GOVERNMENT HANDOUTS?

That's our business model in a nutshell: Gains: It's all mine. Free market. I did it myself. Spreading it around is "socialism." Costs: Uh, little help? Bailout? Public bond? These luxury boxes won't build themselves, people. Why do you hate the job creators?

spelchek 11 months ago

Uhhhhh, you realize all this expansion and building will create jobs right? Albeit not permanent (the building process), but put paychecks in employees pockets which will be spent in this area right? You realize the south is crazy about their football and all the out of towners will be spend in this area right? You realize that certain demands might be created from all of the visitors that could result in additional permanent jobs right? Ever heard of spend money to make money? In stead of whining, how about coming up with an idea to soak up some the money that is about to get spent in our area.

PatsyDecline 11 months ago

Let's review the last year or so for Mizzou.

Lost med school accreditation and had a staff member indicted on Federal Medicare fraud charges. Check.

Hire in a good ole boy for a do nothing consulting job at $100K annum. Check.

Have the Holy Priest of Football Coach Pinkel get arrested for DUI in downtown CoMO only for the entire incident to quietly go away. Check.

Destroy the credibility of the largest research reactor facility in the nation with petty interdepartmental squabbling about power and money. Engineer Drama. Check.

Raise tuition and cut services. Check.

Bow down and kiss the SEC boots for the privilege of being a door mat to the powerhouses. Check.

I guess this is how it works when you hire a used car salesmen to be the President! The dude doesn't even have a Master's Degree....LOL.

it's good to be the King!!

JCsleeper 11 months ago

The legislature should probably form a committee to study why MIzzou's athletic facilities are at the bottom of the SEC. Do some comparisons and maybe come up with some recommendations in a couple of years.

fctrfctn 11 months ago

I think you will find that most of this expansion will be funded with private, not public funding. There is a press conference at 4:00 today to release news of a major gift. Also the luxury seats are already on sale which is how they will be partially funded. Like it or not, collegiate athletics is big business.

spelchek 11 months ago

Don't try and reason with the unreasonable. Sequoia will try to convince you Obama loves the 2nd amendment and is trying to expand gun rights.

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