KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - With only 11 weeks left until Tennessee's football season opener, construction continues at Neyland Stadium.
Phase I of an estimated $107 million renovation project is slated to be complete by Sept. 2 when the Volunteers host California.
The first phase will cost about $24 million and includes the construction of 414 club seats underneath the skyboxes above sections AA through FF and the widening of the north end zone concourse inside Gate 21.
Construction began after last season, and so far it is on schedule.
"Yep, we're in good shape," project manager Bill Gardner of Johnson & Galyon contractors said during a tour with reporters on Monday.
The new club seating includes an indoor common area where meals will be served and fans can congregate around televisions. The construction meant the removal of about 2,400 bleacher seats.
Seating capacity of the stadium will drop from 104,079, but Neyland will remain the third-largest in the nation with a little over 102,000 seats. The capacity will fluctuate during the entire renovation project as seats are removed and others added.
Fans entering the stadium from the main gate on the north side will see a big change in appearance. The concourse has been widened from 10 feet to 30 feet. There are more restrooms for women and new family restrooms.
The concession stands are being rebuilt with a brick-looking facade and arched windows above the counters. The concrete blocks are brick red, gray and dark gray and give the more polished look of some of the newly built stadiums around the country.
The concourse will have chilled water fountains "for hot September afternoon games," athletic director Mike Hamilton said. The old ones spouted tepid or even warm water.
Petro's will continue to have a stand on the concourse. New concessions will include chicken and Texas Roadhouse selections. A new 2,800-square-foot team store has been built inside the gate area.
These improvements are being paid for through $22 million in donations generated through the sale of the club seats. Other private gifts and donations from former grandfathered ticket holders also have helped bring in $54.5 million for the entire renovation project.
Donations of at least $50,000 over five years for capital improvements are required for club seat owners. They also must pay $4,000 annually per seat to cover the cost of tickets, a parking pass and meals.
All the seats have been bought, and there is a waiting list.
The hospitality area will feature a square of nine televisions on one wall that can either show separate programs or broadcast as one giant screen. The back wall of windows overlooks Fort Loudoun Lake, where the Vol Navy docks for game days.
Hamilton called it a "spectacular view," but he hopes the view of the field will be more entertaining.
"Hopefully, most people will be watching what's on the other side of the club seats," he said.
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