Ohio Stadium
|
|
Ohiostad.jpg
Over the years, minor adjustments raised the seating capacity to nearly 85,000. The stadium was heavily renovated in 1999-2000, replacing the press box, building additional seating above the existing upper deck, constructing 81 luxury suites and 2,500 club seats, adding additional seating at the bottom of the field by lowering the field of play by 14 feet, 6 inches, and building on top of the old track, and replacing the temporary bleachers in the open end of the horseshoe with permanent seating, as well as improving the seating and concourse areas. The result of the $194 million renovation was to raise capacity to 101,568. Amazingly, 80% of the cost of the renovation was funded by the sale of leases on the suites and club seats, with the rest funded by various gifts and the sale of the naming rights of portions of the stadium, using no public or university money.