UGA’s Sanford Stadium to receive $63M upgrade

Sanford Stadium in Athens, home of the Georgia Bulldogs, is one of college football’s most iconic venues. But with a large portion of the stadium dating back nearly 90 years, games “between the hedges” are accompanied by some logistical challenges.

Now, the stadium is slated to undergo a more than $60 million renovation to relocate and update the home team’s locker room and add needed recruitment spaces and a public plaza to the western end of the facility.

According to the AJC, the new plaza will be constructed adjacent to the bridge dividing the stadium from the Tate Student Center. The scoreboard will be moved toward the road to allow for the construction of the plaza.

The most visible change will be the addition of a 500-seat recruiting pavilion adjacent to the existing student section, requiring reworking of that seating area. Officials believe the facility will allow UGA to be competitive with other top teams when it comes to recruiting.

Plans call for the work to start soon and run for 17 months. Construction should not impact football season, officials said.

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The spruced-up stadium isn’t the only thing the Dawgs are doing to stay competitive.

Since Coach Mark Richt (and his old house) got the boot at the end of the 2015 season, the team has been on an upgrade spree.

Last year, the university constructed a $30-million indoor practice facility for the football team, complete with a full-sized football field.

Maybe with the new facilities, Kirby Smart can get the program back on top of the SEC East.

• UGA plans $63 million renovation to Sanford Stadium [AJC]
• Georgia Bulldogs Break Ground on New Dawg House [Curbed Atlanta]