University of Virginia Library

Atlanta Firm To Design Plans
For Scott Stadium Renovation

By LIBBY WITHERS

An Atlanta architecture
firm has tentatively been hired
to draw up plans for the
renovation of Scott Stadium,
University Planning Director
Werner K. Sensbach confirmed
yesterday.

The agreement with
Finch-Heery Architects and
Engineers of Atlanta is not yet
final since the Planning Office
must go through a long process
in drawing up the contract.

Mr. Sensbach said, though,
that "Finch-Heery will
probably be employed if they
agree to the contract."

He pointed out the
difficulties concerning state
regulations and fees with which
the Planning Department has
to contend.

The firm, which was
recommended by the Board of
Visitors at their December
meeting, refused comment on
the contract.

Plans to renovate the
42-year-old stadium began in
October. Since then, the only
definite plans are to overhaul
the stadium in its present
location to a 40,000 seat
capacity.

Smallest Capacity

The stadium seats 23,848
persons, with the smallest
capacity in the Atlantic Coast
Conference, according to the
Public Affairs Office. At a
40,000 seat capacity, it would
fall short only of the stadiums
at Wake Forest University and
the University of Maryland.

"Our main concern is that if
the University is going to
expand and we're going to take
care of students, alumni and
visitors, we are going to need
more seats, Athletic Director
Eugene F. Corrigan said in
November.

A "feasibility study," Mr.
Sensbach said, is now under
way to weigh all possibilities of
renovation. The program is not
developed yet because every
phase must be studied very
carefully.

Examine Solutions

The main aim of this
program is to examine certain
kinds of architectural solutions
and to determine which is the
most feasible.

Athletic Director Eugene F.
Corrigan, who was not
available for comment, had
said earlier that expansion will
not be in end zone seats, but
will be similar to the University
of North Carolina, with upper
decks added above the
bleachers.

Members of the study are
also concerned with the need
for enlargement of the press
box, which at present is very
inadequate for television
equipment, Mr. Sensbach said.
He also mentioned the need
and consideration of assembly
rooms for press activities.

Other issues being examined
in the study are renovation of
the President's box and the
stadium restrooms, and repair
to the deteriorating concrete
around the stadium's lower
wall.

'Program Will Emerge'

Mr. Sensbach said that
though this program is still in
the development state, "a
definite program will emerge
from these studies."

Plans for a new site for
Scott Stadium have been
abandoned since studies have
indicated no problems in
renovating the present facility.