The University Athletic Association has completed a study and decided to move forward with a series of upgrades to the Swamp. The project is scheduled to be completed by June 2024.
Improvements include the installation of chairbacks in the lower bowl, aisle widening and handrails for ADA purposes, bench-seat width adjustments, scoreboard and sound system upgrades, and updates to the east and south concourses.
They will also continue to evaluate the potential of adding a club area and loge boxes to the south end zone.
The UAA intends to select a team of architects and engineers by the end of the fall. The budget for the project hasn’t been determined yet.
Athletic director Scott Stricklin cautions that all of their plans are still very fluid at this time.
All concepts & timelines related to enhancing The Swamp are fluid at this point. The UAA will soon select design professionals & devote ‘22 envisioning how The Swamp, one of the most iconic stadiums in college football, will continue to serve Gator Nation for generations to come. pic.twitter.com/uNrE7ZCNjG
— Scott Stricklin (@ScottStricklin) October 7, 2021
As it stands now, the sound system and scoreboard upgrades are expected to be completed prior to the 2023 season, with construction on the other areas of the stadium expected to take place during the 2023 season.
Adding chairback seats and expanding the width of the bleacher seats will require a reduction in stadium capacity, though it is unknown how much the capacity will be reduced by at this point.
This is the latest in a long line of facilities upgrades in recent years. The Stephen C. O’Connell Center and Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium were essentially transformed into new venues, while the football indoor practice facility and Florida Ballpark were built from scratch.
The James W. “Bill” Heavener Football Training Center is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by spring 2022.