116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Home / Sports / Iowa Hawkeyes Sports
Hawkeyes downsize baseball field renovation, for now, due to ‘cost concerns’
University of Iowa proposes new $5.5M clubhouse, instead of $27.4M major renovation
Vanessa Miller
Apr. 16, 2024 2:34 pm, Updated: Apr. 16, 2024 4:33 pm
IOWA CITY — Instead of an originally-proposed $27.4 million major renovation of its 50-year-old Duane Banks Field — meant to “significantly improve the game-day experience” and add hundreds of seats for fans — the University of Iowa is paring down its baseball stadium upgrades, for now, “due to funding and cost concerns.”
The revised project proposal, going before the Board of Regents next week, instead would build a 2,365-square-foot stand-alone clubhouse next to the first baseline’s dugout for $5.5 million — a fifth of the cost of the larger renovation.
“Due to funding and cost concerns that arose after the intended scope of work was designed, UI Athletics determined the best approach is to advance a smaller project now, and do further renovations in the future, when associated gift funding becomes available,” according to regent documents made public Tuesday.
In 2022, when administrators drafted an initial design proposal, UI Athletics aimed to upgrade the Hawkeye baseball field’s press box, bleachers, concourse and entrance for $18.8 million to $20 million.
A tentative timeline at that point had construction starting in June 2023 and wrapping by April 2024. In November 2023, with that initial timeline delayed, UI Athletics proposed a revised budget of $27.4 million — representing a 46 percent increase, to be funded through donations and athletics revenue.
That project would have more than doubled the stadium’s square footage from 6,100 to 12,383 by — among other things — upping the field’s permanent seating from 2,100 to 2,492, a 19 percent increase. UI Athletics at the time said the renovations were badly needed — reporting the field "does not meet the State of Iowa Building Code’s ADA or plumbing requirements.“
“Duane Banks Baseball Stadium needs an update and an expansion to improve player development, recruitment and the guest experience, including accessibility and adequate restroom facilities,” according to Board of Regents documents in November 2023. “Additionally, the baseball stadium is too small, has poor guest seating, and does not have the required amenities in the press box.”
The renovation was to include a larger press box, new seating bowl, updated entrance, renovated sprinkler system, new clubhouse and expanded restrooms and concessions — outfitting it with Americans with Disabilities Act-complying ramps, seats, bathrooms and an elevator.
Construction was to start in the fall and finish by spring 2025.
The revised project — according to documents going before regents for approval next week — will focus on existing team and locker room accommodations, which are used before and after practices and games and need “updating and expansion to improve player development and recruitment.”
Download: 683152233-REGISTER-OF-UNIVERSITY-OF-IOWA-CAPITAL-IMPROVEMENT-BUSINESS-TRANSACTIONS.pdf
“Practice and game day support spaces for the team lack proper meeting space, restroom accommodations, ventilation, heating, cooling and insulation,” according to regent documents.
If approved, the revised project would start in the fall and finish in spring 2025 — and be paid for with athletics revenue and donations.
In addition to the new clubhouse, separate projects to update the lights and turf will occur this summer.
“By moving forward with the new proposal, the project can advance immediately while fundraising continues for future renovations,” according to the UI Office of Strategic Communication. “A new press box and upgraded fan amenities are in the planning phase.”
Duane Banks Field sits along Stadium Drive, between Kinnick Stadium and Carver-Hawkeye Arena. UI Athletics investigated moving it to a new location but found that would have been "much more expensive than renovations.“
Since the field’s inception in 1974, former Hawkeye and former major leaguer Cal Eldred in 2002 donated $245,000 for new lights. The field surface was replaced by AstroTurf in 2014-15, when a state-of-the-art videoboard was installed.
“This step in the renovation process allows us to prioritize improvements that directly impact the student athletes,” Iowa athletics director Beth Goetz said in a statement. “We look forward to designing the next phases of this project and appreciate the support of our donors as we continue to enhance the experience at Duane Banks Field.”
Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.
Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com