HAWK ZONE

Kansas Board of Regents approves nearly $50 million budget for Allen Fieldhouse renovation

Topeka Capital-Journal

Kansas fans throw up newspapers as the starting lineup is announced before Tuesday's game against Oklahoma inside Allen Fieldhouse.

The Kansas Board of Regents approved a new projected budget Wednesday for the renovations concerning the University of Kansas’ Allen Fieldhouse, as they amended the capital improvement plan for fiscal year 2023.

Kansas Athletics, which will also look to remodel the Wagnon Student Athlete Center, announced the plans for the project earlier this month. The charge was to perform substantial upgrades to Allen Fieldhouse in two phases and finish the project by the fall of 2024. The budget, which is outlined as being for “Allen Fieldhouse Renovations Phase 2,” has increased from $20 million to $49,346,000.

“These renovations will enhance the gameday experience for Jayhawks, including our students, faculty, staff, alumni and donors,” said Kansas chancellor Douglas Girod said in a Jayhawks’ release announcing the project earlier this month. “Additionally, these enhancements position KU Basketball to continue driving new student recruitment, alumni engagement and donor relations, all of which benefit the university and our broader academic mission.”

According to the agenda for the Kansas Board of Regents’ meeting Wednesday, the reason for the increased budget comes both because of the “additional scope of work” and how much all of the work will now cost. It stated the cost of the mechanical and electrical equipment has escalated, and that construction inflation has “dramatically” changed the anticipated cost. All in all, the project's funding will come from private gifts and Kansas Athletics funds.

The project is still anticipated as being completed in Sept. 2024, which fits in line with Kansas Athletics’ earlier announcement. It’s just a matter of if any external issues arise, such as with the supply chain. The two-phase plan allows them to navigate the 2023-24 men’s and women’s basketball seasons for the Jayhawks.

“We would not have this tremendous opportunity if not for the inspirational gifts from one of our very best Jayhawk families,” said Kansas athletic director Travis Goff in the Jayhawks’ release earlier this month. “On behalf of the entire institution, our basketball programs, and our fans, thank you for your game-changing impact on this crown jewel facility.”

Because of how iconic they believe Allen Fieldhouse to be, Girod told The Topeka Capital-Journal on Wednesday that they have an obligation to maintain its historic details. But Girod said as well that it’s been years since they last completed an extensive update of the building like this, and even longer since it was first constructed. So, this is their next move to keep it up to date.

This project, like the one surrounding the university’s football stadium, is one that Girod said will continue to help Kansas’ public front door as a university move in the right direction. That means the ability of its athletics teams and athletes to draw in out-of-state students, keep alumni engaged and other aspects that’ll improve fan experience and infrastructure are being pursued.

“Somebody asked me, ‘When are we going to knock it down and build a new one?’” Girod said. “And my answer was, ‘Never.’”

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.