AMES – Iowa State’s venerable Hilton Coliseum will undergo a multi-million dollar renovation project to expand its concourses, add additional concession areas, replace aging mechanical systems and improve fan accessibility if the state Board of Regents authorizes Iowa State to proceed with planning.
The widening of the concourses on the north and south side of the facility will improve fan accessibility, provide additional concession points of sale and improve exterior lighting which will enhance the visual aesthetics of the historic facility.
“This is another step forward in our efforts to enhance the game day environment for Cyclone fans attending athletic events,” Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard said. “Hilton Coliseum also holds a very prominent place in the entrance to our campus. Similar to how the south end zone renovation changed the entrance to campus off Highway 30, the enhanced exterior lighting included in these plans will make the entrance to Iowa State University even more dramatic.”
Built in 1971, Hilton Coliseum has undergone major construction projects in 1980, 1994 and 2002. An aging infrastructure and congested concourses, however, needs to be addressed.
“As a key athletics venue and important campus building – for events like commencement and job fairs – keeping Hilton’s infrastructure and accessibility up to date is a must-do for our department and the university,” Pollard said.
The project is expected to cost $25 million and will be funded entirely by the athletics department.
The request to begin planning $25 million of improvements at Hilton Coliseum cleared a state Board of Regents committee Feb. 27 and will go before the full board in April.
