The University of Nebraska Board of Regents on Nov. 7 approved an $8.7 million construction project to renovate West Memorial Stadium and nearly $2.3 million in routine updates to the Nebraska Unions, University Health Center and housing facilities.

The approved $2.3 million updates include:

• $11,950 to remove and replace the south entry system of the Nebraska Union to make it more energy-efficient.
• $117,240 for furnishings for the new Gaughan Multicultural Center.
• $116,800 to improve the medical information system and replace outdated clinical equipment at the health center.
• $12,000 to replace 30-year-old beds at Husker Hall.
• $95,000 to replace the fire alarm system in the Cather-Pound-Neihardt dining hall.
• $848,500 to replace roofs in Smith and Selleck halls.
• $104,000 to replace furniture, carpet, linens and mattresses within University Housing.

Student fees and surplus funds from revenue bonds will pay for the renovations.

The $8.7 million Memorial Stadium project includes the expansion of the Husker Athletic Student Life Complex. The expansion is one of two components of the current $10.5 million “Honor the Past, Invest in the Future” fundraising campaign. The campaign also includes $1.8 million for recruiting enhancement displays in athletic facilities.

The majority of funds raised from the $10.5 million campaign project will allow the Hewit Center academic areas to nearly triple in size, expanding into a vacated weight room.

Approximately $1.8 million of the campaign will be used to assist with the recruitment of future student-athletes by connecting the past with the future.  The new fan-friendly historical and futuristic displays will accentuate Nebraska’s athletic tradition and incorporate new media presentations.

The recruiting enhancements will begin immediately. Work on the Student Life Complex begins in December 2009, with completion scheduled for August 2010.

Fundraising efforts led by Tom Osborne, athletic director, and Paul Meyers, associate athletic director for development, have raised $8.75 million toward the $10.5 million needed to complete the project.

Other Athletics projects approved include:

• $5.35 million to update HuskerVision control room equipment to digital technology and install additional video displays in Memorial Stadium.
• A $932,000 contract extension with Paciolan Systems, which provides ticketing software for Husker athletics.