Oregon’s iconic Hayward Field could soon see dramatic changes.
On Thursday, plans for the renovation of Hayward Field were released by the UO’s Board of Trustees. The Facilities and Finance Committee will vote on the proposal by Sept. 10.
The proposed project would begin in July 2016, following the U.S. Olympic Trials.
The changes include major enhancements to spectator and training facilities. Spectator access would increase with flexibility to seat up to 30,000 people in a new west grandstand. In addition, training and academic facilities would be upgraded. The plan also includes a new home for the Bowerman Sports Science Clinic, which triples the amount of research space in the facility.
“I am also extremely excited that this project will strengthen both the university’s athletic and academic programs,” Oregon President Michael H. Schill said in a release. “This partnership between athletics and academics will be a model for our future success.”
The changes would be funded entirely by private donations with no impact on the university’s operating budget. The UO Foundation set up a single‐member limited liability corporation, Hayward Field Enhancement, LLC, for the purpose of renovating the track and field stadium.
Preliminary plans and designs will be completed before the end of 2015 and the cost of the project is yet to be determined, according to Around The O. The renovation would be “substantially complete” prior to the 2017 NCAA Championships.
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