Kansas AD Travis Goff shares update on Allen Fieldhouse, Memorial Stadium renovations

Allen Fieldhouse is officially under construction, the KU athletic department announced Friday in an email to Kansas supporters.

The project will be a two-phased approach over the current offseason and following the 2023-24 season.

“When it’s completed, the greatest venue in college basketball will be amongst the most accommodating and fan-friendly,” KU athletic director Travis Goff said in a release.

Construction began immediately after the end of KU’s basketball season and will be completed by the beginning of fall.

“Great strides have been made inside the walls of Allen Fieldhouse, with a focus on the east side entrance and premium donor spaces,” Goff said. “You will see a new team store this season that will serve as a major enhancement for all of our fans for both men’s and women’s basketball.”

Perhaps the most interesting part? The creation of a “Jayhawk pub” that will be a hospitality space for fans.

Goff told The Star about his mindset surrounding Allen Fieldhouse renovations in February.

“We made sure we are looking at it from ... a 2030, 2040 kind of lens, if you will — what should be the future of Allen Fieldhouse if you fast-forward 20, 25, 30 years down the road,” Goff said. “I think that’s exciting to think about.

“The challenge and the opportunity, of course, is how do we retain the incredible character, history and tradition of Allen Fieldhouse while making it a better fan experience? I am confident we are going to find the right balance there.”

The project is funded by a “transformational lead gift from a remarkable Jayhawk family has made this project possible and we are inspired by their generosity and vision,” Goff said.

David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium also due for renovations

Goff also spoke about the plans for the “11th and Mississippi Project” involving KU’s football stadium. Those plans are expected to be fully unveiled in the second half of 2023.

The gateway project will transform the area near the intersection of 11th and Mississippi in Lawrence with new facilities that may include a mix of conference and entertainment space, retail and other functions surrounding David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.

The project is an opportunity to “drive regional economic growth and generate revenue for academic programming.”

Goff beamed about the project’s potential.

“The Gateway Project will show the strong alignment between Kansas Athletics and our incredible University partners as we build a project that will leave an indelible mark for years and decades to come,” Goff said. “We are progressing in schematic design and have recently hired a construction manager who is refining the phased approach, timeline and cost projections.”

Goff emphasized that KU is “engaging the Lawrence and University communities to gain valuable feedback” before solidifying plans.

The cost of the project was not revealed Friday.

“I am working daily with our development team and campus leaders to create a viable financial plan and raise the needed funds from our generous supporters,” Goff said. “As we’ve said from the start, philanthropic support will be the catalyst to fulfilling this transformative project.”

Finally, Goff spoke about the Anderson Family Football Complex renovations.

“Work has already begun at Anderson Family Football Complex,” Goff said. “Crews began in mid-April and we’ve already seen great progress in both the locker room and weight room. We’re excited to unveil both of those new spaces to our football team when they report in July.”