Daily Digs: Florida Reducing Capacity at 'The Swamp,' IU's Athletics Facility Upgrades, and More!

Florida AD Says Renovation of 'The Swamp' Coming 

Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin remains committed to renovating The Swamp.

Speaking on the Gator Nation Football Podcast on June 25, Stricklin updated the status of the project and explained why seating capacity will need to be reduced at the home of Florida football, which currently seats 88,548.

"People ask, ‘Why do we need to do anything?," Stricklin said on the podcast. "There’s about $500 million in deferred maintenance alone in this stadium. So, if you want to have that go to a safe environment that makes us all proud, we need to invest in it. And that’s all we’re doing; we’re re-investing in something that I think every Gator fan really holds dear ....

“And the minute we start addressing deferred maintenance, we’re going to trigger federal code related to the Americans with Disabilities Act and that right there reduces the seat capacity by thousands. Adding ADA seats, widening aisles—and so that’s if we add no chair backs anywhere in the stadium. That’s just a reality that we’re dealing with. That’s not something I dreamed up. We can sit there and just not touch it and let it fall into disrepair, or we can finally address it and try to do something in a thoughtful manner that makes The Swamp stay The Swamp and try to minimize that impact as much as possible."

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Indiana Football: New Turf Installed at Memorial Stadium, Mellencamp Pavilion Gets a Makeover

Indiana’s athletic department moved forward with some much-needed upgrades to the football facilities this summer as it keeps an eye on Memorial Stadium’s future.

Scott Dolson, IU’s athletic director, continues to work behind the scenes on the long-gestating plan to modernize the 65-year-old venue. The project dates back to a survey sent out to fans ahead of the 2023 season. 

While he isn’t ready to reveal the size and scope of the potential renovations, the Hoosiers aren’t standing still. 

There’s a new playing surface being installed at Memorial Stadium that will be ready for fall camp and $3 million worth of work being done at Mellencamp Pavilion. The athletic department is also prepping additional gameday upgrades for fans this fall.

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Adrian Public Schools Considers Community Rec Center 

The Adrian Public Schools Board of Education will make a final decision July 28 on whether to ask voters to approve a 0.75-mill ballot proposal to fund a community recreation center in November.

The board approved an application for the millage proposal June 21 in order to continue preliminary work on the concept that's been ongoing for the past two years.

"Many communities have built similar facilities," Athletic Director Chad O'Brien wrote in a release. "This is Adrian's opportunity to create a recreational space for our residents and students."

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