The University of South Carolina Board of Trustees votes on approving at the USC Alumni to start working on a renovation of Williams-Brice Stadium on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024.Tracy Glantz/[email protected]
The University of South Carolina is laying the groundwork for the next major renovation inside Williams-Brice Stadium.
The school's Board of Trustees on Friday approved the beginning of a plan that will look at exactly what work gets done first inside the home of the Gamecocks football team.
Officially, USC's BOT approved Phase 1 of a "Williams-Brice Stadium Development Project." This includes a feasibility study so that the school can hire architects and contractors in the future for the actual work.
No timetable was immediately given for when any changes might happen at the stadium. USC did not immediately say whether any changes would affect stadium capacity.
Among the options for what could be done, in a presentation made Friday to the BOT by Derek S. Gruner, USC architect and associate vice president of facilities planning, design and construction:
▪ USC wants to create a master plan for renovating Williams-Brice, Gruner said, with the west stands being the "most advantageous" for upgrades. That's the side that's not in the direct afternoon sun, the same side where the stadium's press box and existing suites are.
The emphasis will be on the addition of suites. Early ideas for the 100 level include the possible addition of 18 traditional suites and eight founders suites.
The west side currently has 18 traditional suites, and that figure is believed to be the lowest in the SEC.
▪ A large premium club and addition suites are possible at the 200 level, Gruner said.
▪ Other than those suites and premium spaces, the school could target improvements to ground level concourse areas, restrooms improvement and other new club space.
The last major renovations that affected Williams-Brice seating came in 1996 when the south end zone changes added 8,000 seats and raised capacity to 80,250. Then, in 2020, club spaces additions and renovations brought capacity down to 77,559.
This story will be updated.
1930s: The stadium as originally built opened in 1934 and included 17,500 seats with $82,000 of funding, according to published reports. It was known as Columbia Municipal Stadium and became Carolina Stadium in 1941.
1960s: Stadium growth brings capacity to around 43,000.
1971-1972: Entire west side of stadium is replaced, including a new lower grandstand and the addition of an upper deck that cost $6.9 million and raised capacity to 56,400 seats. The name was officially changed to Williams-Brice Stadium.
1982: An upper deck was added above the existing east side stands, raising capacity to 72,000. Work cost $10.2 million.
1995: $9.9 million went toward west side luxury suites, club seats and a new press box.
1996: $13.5 million spent on south end zone project, 8,000 seats added. Capacity raised to 80,250.
2005: $3 million for Crews Building/weight room and meeting rooms on south side of stadium.
2012: $6.5 million videoboard added to north end zone.
2012: Gamecock Park tailgating area opens beside Williams-Brice at a cost of $30.5 million ($15 million for the site and $15.5 million for construction/landscaping).
2015: $14.5 million Springs Brooks Plaza opens surrounding the stadium.
2020: $22.5 million spent on club spaces additions and renovations. Capacity down to 77,559.