UK Athletics requesting $110 million for renovations to Kroger Field, other facilities

The University of Kentucky‘s Board of Trustees met to approve the Champions Blue Board of Governors on Thursday. During the meeting, UK Athletics proposed a plan to upgrade multiple facilities, including Kroger Field.

These requested investments include, $15 million for maintenance at Kroger Field, $13 million for corner suites and elevators renovations, $5 million to improve the soccer and softball facilities, $8 million for the design of a West End Zone Club, along with Wi-fi improvements at Kroger Field, and an additional $31 million operating loan to be repaid with interest as UK recently transitioned its athletic department to an LLC.

“You have to continue to maintain and repair the stadium for safety reasons, making sure that all the components of, whether it’s stairwells, ramps, those kind of things, that there’s not anything that’s going to put any of our patrons at risk,” UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart told BBN Tonight’s Maggie Davis. “That’s important, then the other piece is just the fan amenities that allow us to bring new revenue streams, or be able to do some things differently in our suites.”

The renovations to the soccer and softball facilities have been added to the proposal as John Cropp Stadium will host the 2026 SEC Tournament. These two facilities are connected, so the renovations would go hand-in-hand.

Notably, the totals proposed on Thursday adds up to just $72 of the requested $110 million. With football, softball and soccer only being address, men’s and women’s basketball were not included in the request, along with baseball and the rest of its sports. With $38 million more requested, only time will tell what those additional dollars will be used for.

In addition, the athletic department added a request to gather information for a potential entertainment district on UK’s campus. Some of that revenue could go to this, although this is a concept as of this report. This would include entertainment options such as restaurants and hotels, among other fan-driven activities.

After the meeting, Barnhart discussed revenue sharing within his athletic department. However, he had no specific timeline for what that might look like, or how he plans to divide UK Athletics’ share of the $20.5 million they’re set to receive in the fallout of the House settlement.

“There will be more to come,” Barnhart concluded. “Trust me, we got more on our plate, and we’re excited. That’ll come as we go, probably more into the fall.”