16 Wednesday, August 23, 1978 University Daily Kansan Memorial Stadium repair project nears planned completion date By MARY HOENK Staff Writer Nine days remain in a countdown toward completion of a 10-month renovation project. It's a project that has been a source of controversy at KU since its blueprint stage An original proposal for the renovation project touched off a protest opposing financing the repairs, forced the cancellation of the 1978 Kansas Relays in the stadium and was a one-time threat to stadium commencement exercises. Finally, except for installation of an elevator, all major work will be finished on the $1.8-million project by Sept. 1, Doug Messer, assistant athletic director, said recently. Renovations will be complete in time for KU's Sept. 9 home opener against Texas A&M. Improvements to the 56-year-old stadium include concrete restoration, waterproofing, new seating, replacement of the artificial playing surface, renovation of dressing rooms and public restroom facilities, extension of the press box and miscellaneous repairs. Messer said the project was "way ahead of schedule" with only a running lane and a few sections of new seating missing from the completed renovation package. Finishing touches to the project include a 12 12 11 90 21 11 22 cost of blue paint and a possibility of the A jawhainted mask at mid-field. Staff photo by SUSANNE BURDICK The fence around the south side of the stadium also has been painted a royal blue. There are no plans to replace it with a wall or a chain-link fence. Messer said. The wall was part of an original $2-million proposal, which also would have included expansion of a Victory Club (a stadium and arena), contributors, and addition of VIP seating. The original $2 million plan was pared to $1.8 million after students protested a surcharge on student season football tickets to help pay for the renovations. Student season football tickets still will be increased from $20 to $23 dollars this fall to help finance the completed renovations. As a result of action taken at April's University of Kansas Athletic Corporation board meeting, the VIP seating and the ex-tennis team will be financed through private donations. Under plans approved by the board, the VIP seating area is to be funded by subscriptions. The Victory Club is to be expanded to twice its size and to be paid for by the council. It is also by corporate reserve funds, if appropriate, by the executive committee of the board. After the financial end of the renovations appeared to be settled, the stadium was back in the spotlight when former athletic director, Clyde Walker, announced last fall that no public events could be scheduled in the stadium while renovations were in progress. The Kansas Relays were canceled but later rescheduled to five sites to give athletes an opportunity to compete in other relays. The location of graduation remained uncertain throughout much of the spring semester as the administration investigated the situation. But temporary seating arrangements were made and a special one-day insurance policy was established to ensure that May candidates filed down the hill into the stadium. Updated Campus Foahntons Are Our Business And We Have The Best Selections In Lawrence For Your Every Need. Stop By And See Our Large Selection Of Back-To-School Fall Foahntons, Open A Personal Charge Account And Get Acquainted With Us. We Look Forward To Meeting You Welcome Back KU to the Fashion World of Carousel Hours 10-6 M-S 10-8:30 Thurs 23rd & Louisiana Malls Shopping Center Renovation Staff photo by SUSANNE BURDICK Mount Orend can be seen from the horseshoe of Memorial Stadium, the object of a $1.8 million renovation project scheduled to be finished by Sept. 1. At lower left, workers install new metra seats in the stadium as part of the remodeling work. at JAYHAWK BOOKSTORE ON ALL YOUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL NEEDS Headquarters for: NEW/USED TEXTBOOKS M. E./ARCH. DRAWING SETS H. P. CALCULATORS 3 new models on sale now T. I. BACK TO CLASS SPECIALS School Supplies/Cliff's Notes WE BUY-BACK BOOKS DAILY CLASS RINGS BY ART CARVED reg. 85 $ ^{00} $ now 59 $ ^{95} $ save 2500 Aug. 23rd-26th only need a $10^{\infty}$ deposit COUPON------------------------good thru Sept 15th TEXAS INSTRUMENT CALCULATORS Staedtler-Mars Technical pen set SAVE 5$^{00}$ on T.I. 55/57/58/59 (4 pens) reg. 3000 now 1995}$ COUPON good thru Sept. 15th HEWLETT-PACKARD CALCULATORS 5°00 off any Hewlett Packard calculator good thru Sept 15th Clip Coupons Longer Shopping hours Open: 8:30-7:00 Aug.23-25,8:30-5:00 Aug.26 12:00-4:00 Aug.27,8:30-8:00 Aug.28-3C Jayhawk Bookstore 1420 Crescent Rd. 843-3826