One year ago: The implosion of Kyle Field's west side

On this day one year ago — Dec. 21, 2014 — the west side of Kyle Field was imploded, clearing the way for the ambitious rebuild that completed the revered stadium's renovation.

In tribute, the Texas A&M University System on Monday released a video remembering not just the implosion, but the steps the Aggie Family took to reach that point and the incredible reconstruction that occurred after.

Let's get right to it.

Here's the video with John Sharp's narration, complete with the A&M System's release.

Kyle Field from The Texas A&M University System on Vimeo.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — A year ago today, the West Side of Kyle Field was imploded, kicking off the final phase of the $485 million renovation of the venerable football stadium.
 
“Many said we were crazy, and that we would never be able to meet the deadlines necessary to open Kyle Field for the first home game on September 12 — less than nine months later,” said Chancellor John Sharp of the Texas A&M University System.
 
But every deadline was met. Each milestone achieved.
 
Seeing is believing: This two-minute video shows the implosion and celebrates the reconstruction of the West Side.

Overall, the Kyle Field renovation took almost two years, over two football seasons, without the Texas Aggies missing a game. It took an average of 1,300 workers on the site and more than 120 subcontractors, working more than 3.5 million man-hours.

The structure needed almost 12,000 tons of steel, more than 1.6 million facade bricks, 2.7 million feet of electrical wiring, 5,952 gallons of paint, and 1,090 cell phone towers so Aggies could call, text, Tweet and Instagram their first impressions of the stadium during the opening game.
 
Chancellor Sharp released the video as a thank you to the Board of Regents, the Aggie network, and to current and former students:
 
“No matter where you’re from, Kyle Field will always be your home. Thank you, and Gig’em!”