The University of Alabama is preparing plans for a $30-million expansion of Sewell-Thomas Stadium, as the college-baseball arms race continues to accelerate.
The plans aren’t final and still need to be presented to the board of trustees. If approved, work could be done for the 2016 NCAA season. From the Tuscaloosa News:
UA has started raising money for the upgrades, which could cost $30 million. The proposed multimillion dollar renovation would take place in three phases: reconfiguration of the field within the current stadium, which includes moving home plate closer to the fence to help solve sight-line issues; constructing a freestanding indoor practice facility; and both completion of the inside of Sewell-Thomas Stadium, including the addition of luxury suites, and bricking the outside of the stadium, extending the concourse and more.
The plan could be presented to the board for approval as soon as next month’s meeting or may be presented in the fall.
One issue: where the Crimson Tide would play while Sewell-Thomas Stadium is being renovated. A possible solution: Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, former home of the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League).
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