Why Tennessee baseball Lindsey Nelson Stadium renovation budget proposal increased to $105.1 million

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville is proposing an increase to the Lindsey Nelson Stadium renovation budget project because of unforeseen soil and utility conditions discovered during construction.

The UT System Board of Trustees will vote on a proposed increase of $9.3 million to accommodate for new developments regarding utilities at the Tennessee baseball facility. The Vols won the program’s first national in 2024 under coach Tony Vitello.

Key items identified include a utility review, an abandoned electrical duct bank and a required shoring wall, according to the agenda for the Fall Board of Trustees Meeting. The agenda for Oct. 24 and 25 also said the “as-built” files for the stadium were incomplete.

If approved, the proposal would increase the stadium renovation budget to $105.1 million to account for actual costs and construction documents. The increase would come from gifts to UT, which wouldn’t affect the Tennessee State School Bond Authority bonds UT is already using.

The UT System Board of Trustees approved the project’s budget of $95.8 million in 2023.

Lindsey Nelson Stadium renovation proposed budget increasing due to utility issues

The construction team working at Lindsey Nelson Stadium encountered issues with utilities surrounding the stadium, which led to a delay in the timeline for the project. UT plans to have the project completed prior to the 2026 season, UT announced in August. It had hoped to complete the renovations prior to the 2025 season.

Many utilities had to be relocated, which required processes including local review and approval before starting other aspects of the renovations. Notably, the utility work affected the placement of foundations and steel for new suites and a club level along the third-base line.

The suite and club level are on target to be added before the 2026 season as UT will continue work on the ballpark during the 2025 season.

UT will continue work on the home-plate entrance and plaza area, as well as the third-base line restrooms and concession stands during the 2025 season. Upgrades such as a new sound system, player entry, merchandise shops and a kitchen also are on the plans. A fully completed mezzanine level, an MVP room expansion, renovated home-plate concessions areas and elevators round out the list of projects slated for the third phase.

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Pat Head Summitt Street will remain closed to vehicles during the 2025 season.

What construction will be complete before Tennessee baseball’s 2025 season?

Many updates and additions will be completed before the 2025 season, Vitello’s eighth at Tennessee.

Tennessee plans to install four-top tables along the right-field line, a permanent net system and a right-field student section. It is aiming to add a bar area on the left-field line, new chairback seats under an added mezzanine level as well as restrooms and concession stands along the first-base line.

UT is renovating restrooms and upgrading seating behind home plate.

What is the budget for Lindsey Nelson Stadium renovations?

The initial estimate when UT began construction on Lindsey Nelson Stadium approached $100 million.

The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees approved a renovation budget of $95.8 million in June 2023. That marked a significant increase from $56.8 million, which was reflected in the University of Tennessee at Knoxville’s proposed budget for 2022-23 fiscal year.

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The funding will come from a combination of major donor gifts, ticket sales, seat donations, suite sales and the My All Campaign. The funding has nearly $7.994 million earmarked for naming rights to Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Keenan Thomas is a higher education reporter. Email keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter @specialk2real.

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Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.