Jan. 4, 2005
ORLANDO - The University of Central Florida is exploring the possibility of building a 45,000- to 50,000-seat football stadium on its Orlando campus, UCF President John Hitt announced today.
Previous estimates made an on-campus stadium cost prohibitive, but a design now being considered would cost about $40 million to build. Earlier estimates placed the price at nearly three times that amount.
"We are studying the feasibility of an on-campus stadium, and new cost estimates indicate it would be self-supporting," Hitt said. The proposed stadium would be paid for and supported by boosters and ticket and concession sales. No state dollars would be used for construction.
If UCF decides to move forward, the stadium would be built on existing practice fields east of the UCF Arena in the intercollegiate athletics complex. Construction could begin as early as this summer and be completed before the 2006 football season.
UCF has played at the Florida Citrus Bowl stadium near downtown Orlando since the team's inaugural season in 1979. If an on-campus stadium were built, as many as 15,000 students would be within walking distance from their homes.
In 2005, the Golden Knights will join Conference USA. Eight of the 12 football teams in the realigned conference have stadiums on their campuses, according to conference officials. Memphis, Tulane and the University of Alabama at Birmingham play off campus.
"Many of our students, alumni and strong supporters have told us over the years that they want a stadium here at UCF," Hitt said. "An on-campus stadium could help us create more of a collegiate football experience for the students and fans, foster new traditions and build a stronger community for the university."