The university has commissioned Populous, a sports design firm, to create a “master plan” for potential changes in sports programming and renovations to campus athletic facilities. The plan will be presented to students, faculty and staff in the spring.
Chicago Breaking Sports reported Thursday afternoon that the university may be spending at least $1 million on the study.
Populous will examine playing fields, recreation centers and the facilities around Ryan Field, said a press release put out by the athletics department. Meanwhile, the university will survey students and, in the spring, hold forums to discuss the contents of the plan.
An advisory board made up of students, coaches and members of the athletics department will work with Populous throughout the course of its research.
Populous has formed master plans for sports complexes around the world, including the 2012 London Olympics’ main stadium and the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium, which was built in 2009 and cost $288 million.