The Board of Trustees at the University of Kentucky convened on Thursday to endorse the Champions Blue Board of Governors. During this meeting, UK Athletics put forth a proposal aimed at enhancing several facilities, including Kroger Field.
The proposed investments encompass $15 million allocated for maintenance at Kroger Field, $13 million designated for the renovation of corner suites and elevators, $5 million intended for the enhancement of soccer and softball facilities, $8 million for the design of a West End Zone Club, as well as improvements to Wi-Fi at Kroger Field. Additionally, there is a request for a $31 million operating loan, which will be repaid with interest, following UK’s recent transition of its athletic department to a limited liability company (LLC).
It is essential to persist in the upkeep and repair of the stadium for safety purposes, ensuring that all elements, including stairwells and ramps, are free from hazards that could endanger our patrons,” stated UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart during an interview with BBN Tonight’s Maggie Davis. “This is crucial, and additionally, we must focus on enhancing fan amenities that enable us to generate new revenue streams or implement changes in our suites.
The renovations to the soccer and softball facilities have been added to the proposal as John Cropp Stadium will host the 2026 SEC Tournament. These two facilities are connected, so the renovations would go hand-in-hand.
Notably, the totals proposed on Thursday adds up to just $72 of the requested $110 million. With football, softball and soccer only being address, men’s and women’s basketball were not included in the request, along with baseball and the rest of its sports. With $38 million more requested, only time will tell what those additional dollars will be used for.
In addition, the athletic department added a request to gather information for a potential entertainment district on UK’s campus. Some of that revenue could go to this, although this is a concept as of this report. This would include entertainment options such as restaurants and hotels, among other fan-driven activities.
After the meeting, Barnhart discussed revenue sharing within his athletic department. However, he had no specific timeline for what that might look like, or how he plans to divide UK Athletics’ share of the $20.5 million they’re set to receive in the fallout of the House settlement.
There will be more to come, Barnhart concluded. Trust me, we got more on our plate, and we’re excited. That’ll come as we go, probably more into the fall.
