The next step has been taken in getting a new softball stadium at the University of Missouri.
The new facilities will provide fans with a "full-view" concourse and outfield plaza, a 1,500-1,700 seat venue, and an outfield berm-lawn area offering increased capacity for an additional 500-1,000 spectators.
The stadium will be built in what currently is the parking lot for the Hearnes Center.
At a February 2015 meeting, the University of Missouri Board of Curators approved the new $16 million Missouri softball stadium project. It will be funded from $13.5 million in private gifts and $2.5 million in debt financing. Additionally, at the February 2015 meeting, the Board approved employing Lempka Edson Architects (L+E), Overland Park, Kan., as the project architect.
The project also includes the redevelopment of the existing 1,109-vehicle MU student and commuter parking lot that will displace 503 parking spaces. A new parking lot will be constructed south of Champions Drive at the intersection with Providence Point Drive to replace 251 spaces.
The new parking lot is anticipated to be completed in November 2015, with the new softball stadium completed by December 2016.