Nebraska Board of Regents votes to move ahead with massive Memorial Stadium makeover

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The University of Nebraska Board of Regents unanimously voted to move forward with the Big Red Rebuild project.

A massive makeover for Memorial Stadium that aims to both preserve and modernize the iconic stadium.

SEE ALSO: NU Board of Regents to consider “major renovations” to Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium

The decision came after thoughtful discussion from all regents.

The $600 million transformation will revamp 20,000 seats, expand the student section, and create 360-degree views of the main concourse.

In addition to upgraded aesthetics, the desire for improved safety played a big role in the approval.

“I think safety issues are key. Part of the whole re-do of the stadium, so that people want a stadium where they feel they can enter safely, and evacuate safely, if need be,” said Regent Barbara Weitz.

Plumbing, wiring, and upgrading the lights will all be included in the rebuild, but despite these measures to improve the stadium from the inside out, many concerns were still raised during Friday’s meeting.

“Education is not a business,” said Prof. Regina Werum, a professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, ” I hope you know how to balance a checkbook, including costs, losses, and revenues.”

University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold addressed funding in his opening remarks.

He explained that the funding will not come from taxpayer dollars or tuition-driven funds; rather, they are hoping to raise at least $250 million through philanthropic donations.

Despite an inability to vote, student regent Brock Calamari raised a concern of his own.

“In the future, we will inevitably overhaul the East and West sides of the stadium and make better amenities and luxuries in those sections, further bringing down capacity,” he said.

“What will happen to the old couples that have been coming to the stadium since the 1970’s. They’ve been reseated, and they’re struggling to walk up to the nose bleeds.”

Husker fan Dan Wegert also asked the regents for fiscal clarity before the vote.

He told me this about their response, “I had multiple regents express their sympathies, and the University has given me some indication that there might be more clarity in the fall, but that’s a long time to wait and a lot of uncertainty.”

Channel 8 will be following the plan’s timeline, which is expected to be completed in 2028.