University of Richmond Athletics
Richmond's On-Campus Stadium Plan Approved by City Council
07/29/2008 | Women's Lacrosse
July 29, 2008
RICHMOND - The University of Richmond has received the necessary approvals from the City of Richmond to move forward with its plans to expand First Market Stadium on the campus of the university. The City Council voted July 28 at its scheduled council meeting to pass the ordinance granting a special use permit to the university, allowing it to develop and operate a multi-use outdoor stadium for up to 8,700 spectators.
The project calls for the expansion of First Market Stadium into a state-of-the-art multipurpose athletic facility, which will serve as the home of the Richmond football, soccer, lacrosse, and track and field teams, as well as community events such as the Virginia Special Olympics.
Architectural design has been progressing over the summer, and work on the stadium is expected to begin early in the spring semester. Approval by the City Council allows the project to remain on schedule to open for the 2010 football season.
Edward L. Ayers, president of the university, said, "Our new facility will provide outstanding opportunities to bring together students, parents, staff, faculty, alumni, neighbors and members of the broader community for sports events and activities. I am grateful to our many donors who make this project possible, and also for the strong community support that has helped us to reach this milestone."
The university received strong support for the stadium project from nearby neighborhood civic associations. For 18 months, the university worked with representatives of the associations and neighbors to ensure that the stadium design and operational plans for game days addressed key concerns including traffic, parking, lighting and sound.
The four neighborhood associations closest to the university, located both in the City of Richmond and Henrico County, each provided letters of support to the city for the stadium project.