Texas A&M Football
Kyle Field reconstruction's Phase I nears completion
Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp on Tuesday offered reassurance that
the Kyle Field redevelopment project is progressing on schedule and
would be ready for the Aggies’ home opener against Lamar on Sept. 6.
“We are both on time and on budget for the 2014 season,” Sharp said in a news conference at the Zone Club at Kyle Field. “The 12th Man has always provided a home-field advantage like no other and this season, the enclosed south end and east-side canopy should make it a nightmare to opposing teams. I believe that’s what Coach (Kevin Sumlin) asked for when he said, “Make it loud.’”
Sharp made those comments even as scores of construction workers continued the project that will turn Kyle Field into the premier venue in college football.
The grass playing surface has been installed. A temporary sound system is up and running. Sharp said there will be 340 percent more women’s restroom stalls. There will be three times as many concession areas and 60 points within the stadium to purchase water and other drinks.
Yet, the greatest concern has been whether this phase of the two-year renovation project was on pace so that the Aggies could host their home opener without any issues.
Greg McClure, the project manager of Manhattan-Vaughn, the construction company selected for the project, said there is no reason for worry.
“We’ve been able to get about 9,000 tons of steel in here, all this pre-cast in nine and a half months,” McClure said. “Every challenge we thought we had, we’ve met. We’ll continue to meet those challenges over the next three weeks as we get ready for game day.”
“We are both on time and on budget for the 2014 season,” Sharp said in a news conference at the Zone Club at Kyle Field. “The 12th Man has always provided a home-field advantage like no other and this season, the enclosed south end and east-side canopy should make it a nightmare to opposing teams. I believe that’s what Coach (Kevin Sumlin) asked for when he said, “Make it loud.’”
Sharp made those comments even as scores of construction workers continued the project that will turn Kyle Field into the premier venue in college football.
The grass playing surface has been installed. A temporary sound system is up and running. Sharp said there will be 340 percent more women’s restroom stalls. There will be three times as many concession areas and 60 points within the stadium to purchase water and other drinks.
Every challenge we thought we
had, we’ve met. We’ll continue to meet those challenges over the next
three weeks as we get ready for game day.
{"Module":"quote","Alignment":"right","Quote":"Every
challenge we thought we had, we’ve met. We’ll continue to meet those
challenges over the next three weeks as we get ready for game
day.","Author":"Manhattan-Vaughan project manager Greg McClure"}
Also, a smart phone app “Destination Aggieland” has been created
that will help users get directions to the stadium, navigate traffic,
find parking spaces, locate shuttle services, tailgate areas and even
seats inside the stadium. It will also aid users in finding restaurants,
hotels and entertainment before and after games.Yet, the greatest concern has been whether this phase of the two-year renovation project was on pace so that the Aggies could host their home opener without any issues.
Greg McClure, the project manager of Manhattan-Vaughn, the construction company selected for the project, said there is no reason for worry.
“We’ve been able to get about 9,000 tons of steel in here, all this pre-cast in nine and a half months,” McClure said. “Every challenge we thought we had, we’ve met. We’ll continue to meet those challenges over the next three weeks as we get ready for game day.”
For more — a comprehensive on-site transcript of the project managers' remarks in the Zone Club — see here.
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