For almost half a century, Roy Kidd Stadium has been a cornerstone for Eastern Kentucky University and Colonel athletics. The stadium has been host to thousands of fans, pivotal games, and a multitude of campus activities. With upcoming improvements, Roy Kidd Stadium will be better served to meet the needs of EKU’s student-athletes, the University and the community.
An expansion project on the east side of the stadium will add to the fan experience as it will include over 3,000 new bleacher seats, and a concourse that will feature modern concessions and restroom facilities. A new pedway will be constructed from the hill beyond the north end zone that leads onto the concourse level.
The first floor is dedicated to the benefit of Colonel football student-athletes and will include a new team locker room featuring a team lounge, equipment room and a game day training area. A coaches’ locker room will also be included on this level.
The entire structure, which has been designed by Murphy Graves Trimble, PLLC (Lexington, Kentucky) and Rosser International, Inc. (Atlanta, Georgia), will be constructed with future expansion and renovations to Roy Kidd Stadium in mind. Construction will commence in the summer with completion expected prior to the start of the 2017 football season.
“This is an exciting time for our football program and the University,” Director of Athletics Stephen Lochmueller said. “This project will be an incredible benefit to EKU football, but it will also make Roy Kidd Stadium more appealing for future events that the University may host. More importantly, this project takes care of the young men on our football team and provides them with a first-class facility.”
Athletics facility renovations and expansions are funded through agency bonds sold in April 2015.
EKUSports will soon launch a new web page – www.EKUSportsBuilds.com– devoted to multiple upcoming facility projects on the athletics campus. The site will include live cams, video interviews, images and information on giving to the projects.