A new $25 million athletic complex that will be home to the University of New Hampshire football team will most likely be ready by the end of 2015 season.
"A new athletic complex will help us build spirit and pride in the state's flagship public university and directly benefit the local economy," UNH president Mark Huddleston said in a statement.
Marty Scarano, director of athletics, said that since the 1930s, the team has played its games in Cowell Stadium that is considered to be one of the most outdated stadiums in the country.
"A new venue will allows us to host more state regional and national competitions like Special Olympics, concerts and high school championship games," Scarano said.
Besides football games, the facility, dubbed 'West Stadium' will be used for various other events too. The stadium opposite to the field house will seat more than 10,000 and will have enhanced seating, high-tech broadcast, WiFi facility, rest rooms and a student section among others.
The total cost is estimated to be about $25 million. The university officials said that the construction work of the facility will not begin until about $5 million has been collected in donations. The remaining amount will be gathered through internal sources.
"To me, it's something that has been in discussion for a bunch of years and it keeps getting closer and closer all the time," said UNH football coach Sean McDonnell. "The way I look at it we keep taking steps to where we need to go and we're going in the right direction. . . People are engaging the alumni and others and the people in administration want to work to make this a special place," Union Leader reports.
