(BY DEWEY TERRIL)
(JC Post)

K-State Athletics Director Gene Taylor unveiled Saturday the largest capital project in department history ( 105 million ) pas part of the overall facility master plan that will benefit all 16 Wildcat athletic programs.

The department has already raised more than $69 million of the $105 million total project cost, and construction on the first of four projects, the south end zone improvements at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, is scheduled to begin in May of 2020 following approval later this month by the Kansas Board of Regents. Completion is expected by the start of the 2021 football season.

Also included in this capital initiative is the construction of a new volleyball arena, Olympic performance training center and a new football indoor facility and outdoor practice field. Construction of the final three components will begin once appropriate funding has been committed and approval has been given by the Board of Regents.

“One of our top departmental priorities is to provide our teams the best facility they need to compete for championships while doing so in a manner that makes sense for K-State, both financially and practically. and this project is consistent with that goal.”

The south end zone project at Bill Snyder Family Stadium ( $50 million ) will include a new club /suite/loge premium seating area, expanded Legends Room event space, upgraded restrooms and concessions, additional concession and new restrooms on the south concourse and new video boards in the southeast and southwest corners of the stadium. The project will also extend the northwest and northeast entrances to Bramlage Coliseum by 17.5 feet, adding nearly 4,500 feet of additional concourse space inside Bramlage.

The new volleyball competition arena ( 17.5 million ) will have retractable seating for up to 3,500 fans and also house new locker rooms, team lounge, staff offices, training spaces and a team theatre. Adjacent to that facility will be the

new Olympic Performance Training Facility ( $13 million ) which would house spaces for a strength and conditioning center, sports medicine, locker rooms, equipment and nutrition areas and storage for Olympic sport teams.

On the east side of Bill Snyder Family Stadium, the new indoor football practice facility ( $24.5 million ) would included a 200′ by 400′ practice field with 65′ roof clearance and accessibility to the Vanier Complex and football stadium. Additional features would include a limestone exterior to match stadium and campus architecture as well as a new outdoor practice field.

“While we have a great start to fundraising which has provided momentum, energy and confidence, it is imperative that Wildcat fans continue to contribute at any level and be a part of this very important initiative to cement our position as a leader in the Big 12 and collegiate athletics, Taylor added.