The Memphis City Council may spend up to $15 million over threeyears, renovating Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
The sum represents about one tenth of the potential funds neededfor the overhaul.
Last summer, a contingent -- including representatives from TheUniversity of Memphis, the Liberty Bowl and the Heritage Classic --developed a wish list of Liberty Bowl improvements. A subsequentreport from the Kansas City-based architectural firm HOK Sports,cited that those improvements would cost between $115 million and$147 million. Among the proposed upgrades were chair-backed seatsto replace existing benches, a revamped press box, a media room,new locker rooms and a new artificial playing surface.
The report, which was made available to Parks Committee membersearlier this year, also indicated that a new stadium could be builtfor $175 million.
According to Council Member Scott McCormick, chair of the ParksCommittee, the asking price for either option is much toosteep.
"I can tell you right now, we're not investing $115 million,"McCormick said. "I think the idea of spending $100 million plus(also) prohibits the thought of building a new stadium. We justcan't do that right now."
The city spent more than $300 million in the last 15 years onconstruction of The Pyramid and the FedExForum. The city also owesmoney on renovations of the Cook Convention Center and has annualoperating deficits there and at the Mid-South Coliseum.
These projects have contributed to a tough financial climatethat makes massive Liberty Bowl improvements unlikely.
"The atmosphere is not the best to ask the community to investmore money into athletic facilities," said Associate AthleticDirector Bob Winn.
Instead, the council has chosen to participate in incrementalupgrades. In the past year, the Liberty Bowl has been the site ofminor improvements, including waterproofing and outer fence repair.Workers are also in the process of repairing an elevator shaftleading to the press box.
The 2005 city budget includes $1.2 million for improvements atthe Liberty Bowl, which would include tearing up the natural grassfield and installing a state-of-the-art artificial surface, calledFieldTurf, immediately following the upcoming season. In the longrun, the new surface would actually save money on maintenancecosts.
"That grass would have to be replaced every year for $300,000,"McCormick said.
While limited resources could be available in future budgets, itis unlikely to be anywhere near $115 million.��
Despite the difference between the report asking price and thefunds made available, McCormick said there is at least one point ofagreement.
"I think everybody agrees that the Liberty Bowl is a communityasset," he said. "Like any asset, there is a need to invest money(to keep it viable)."
Just how much money is needed is the question.
"All we can do is ask for things and then go through the properchain of command," Winn said. "There is a great channel ofcommunication between (all of the parties involved)."
Council members were expected to discuss the HOK report incommittee meeting Tuesday, after publication time, with a potentialtour of the stadium set for Wednesday. At this point, however, itis unlikely that any further action will be taken regarding thestadium, officials said.
