Projects Underway

In June, the UK Board of Trustees approved an internal loan from the University to Champions Blue/UK Athletics of up to $110 million for critical investments in infrastructure and other initiatives. 

The internal loan – to be paid back with interest – is part of a 3.5-year financial plan in which Champions Blue will make investments, designed to generate new, additional revenues to position UK athletics on a growth trajectory to meet the challenges of this dramatically changing landscape.

This $15 million project will initiate a comprehensive maintenance and repair program for Kroger Field on campus. A 2023 condition assessment study resulted in a master maintenance plan for Kroger Field. The maintenance plan includes a detailed, proposed preventative maintenance and repair program to ensure long-term durability and extend the football stadium's useful life.

This $13 million project will renovate the 40 corner suites located in the east and west end zone seating bowl of Kroger Field and replace the six existing elevators used by fans to access the corner suites and upper concourse. Improvements to the suites will include updates to finishes, lighting, countertops, cabinets, fixtures, flooring and seating. The suites and elevators require updating as they were installed in 1999 during the expansion of the end zone seating area.

This $5 million project will upgrade the existing sports lighting systems for both the soccer and softball fields to state-of-the-art LED systems. Additionally, this project will include updating the netting system in the indoor hitting pavilion, installing a Trackman radar system used by the team to analyze performance data, installing a new sidewalk entry area to greatly improve pedestrian safety outside the facility, and replacing existing field fencing and gates that have exceeded their useful life. As the University is hosting the 2026 Southeastern Conference Softball Tournament these improvements will enhance the fan experience.