Take a good, long look at the west side of Tiger Stadium, because by the fall, it will be receiving a facelift.
 
The LSU System Board of Supervisors’ renovation plans will replace the chain-link fence around the entrance to the west side of the stadium with a wrought iron structure, said Herb Vincent, associate vice chancellor for University Relations and associate athletics director.
Vincent said the chain-link fence was put up during a previous renovation and was intended to be temporary.
 
“Wrought iron is much more attractive,” he said.
 
He said the University will also create what he called a “Championship Plaza,” similar to the one at Alex Box Stadium, to exhibit the history of Tiger Stadium and honor important players. The project will also include areas along North Stadium Drive. Vincent said the gates the Tiger Band uses to enter the stadium will be replaced, and the sidewalks along the street will be repaved.
 
Vincent said the project will cost about $8 million and will be funded by the Tiger Athletic Foundation.
 
Construction should begin this semester, and Vincent hopes the project will be completed by football season.
 
“Fans really don’t get a feel for the history of Tiger Stadium right now,” he said. “This will be a much more attractive entrance.”
 
Vincent said the University has seen a demand for more seating in the stadium and has begun studies on the project’s feasibility.
 
“We need to find out if the cost is justified,” he said.
 
Vincent also said the University will test the ground around the south end zone, where the structure would be expanded, to find out what’s below the surface and if anything can be built on it.
 
Though there has been talk of upper-deck seats and suites, there is no official plan yet. Vincent said there is no timeline for the project, and he doesn’t know when the preliminary plans will be complete.
 
He said matters pertaining to the expansion have been discussed at Board of Supervisors meetings, but nothing has officially been submitted for approval.
 
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Contact Rachel Warren at
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