Robins Stadium Expansion
FACT SHEET
- General Information
- Working With The Community To Address Traffic
- Landscaping, Lighting and Sound
- Community Outreach
• The expanded facility will be located entirely within the University's existing boundaries and will be placed at the site of the former First Market Stadium. There will be no encroachment on area neighborhoods.
• The current off-campus facility used for home football games, which the University leases, was built in 1929. It is outdated and does not meet the needs of our growing football program in 2008.
• The proposed capacity of the stadium is for a maximum of 8,700 spectators. To put this in perspective, the expanded First Market Stadium will have a seating capacity less than the current capacity of Robins Center (9,071), which serves as home to our men and women's basketball teams.
• As a state-of-the-art athletic venue, First Market Stadium will strengthen the University of Richmond and represent an important new asset for the City of Richmond and the entire region.
• Unlike other proposed projects in Richmond, there is no cost to the City or its taxpayers for the University's Robins Stadium expansion. It will be built entirely with private donations and University funds.
• The Robins Stadium expansion has been carefully planned to minimize impact on the surrounding communities, and to further enhance the University's national reputation for having one of the most beautiful campuses in America.
• The University of Richmond is an important cornerstone of the region's economy and a key contributor to Richmond's culture and quality of life. With more than 1,500 employees, the University accounts for more than $450 million in local economic activity on an annual basis.
• Currently the Robins Center has more than 30 events per year. The Spiders only play five to six home football games per year. The University and surrounding communities will experience only marginal increases in the amount of traffic in and out of the area each year.
• The University is working with the surrounding communities, traffic engineers and local police to develop traffic and parking strategies to minimize any potential disruptions on neighbors. Measures will include police controlled intersections and access, assigned parking areas, incentives for use of public transportation and useful information for spectators.
• Students will now be able to walk to the stadium. It is anticipated that students will make up approximately 1,200 of the fans in attendance. Student travel to and from games will not be required, as it currently is necessary for students to attend games at UR Stadium in the City.
• An emergency access plan has been coordinated with the surrounding jurisdictions and emergency response facilities to ensure that football traffic does not hinder emergency access to neighborhood streets.
• The stadium will have new sharp-cutoff field lighting. This state-of-the art lighting system will reduce glare for the surrounding neighborhood. The enhanced lighting system is currently being used by numerous stadiums across the country for evening activities.
• The expanded facility also will include a new, modern sound system, which will help focus sound within the stadium, and moderate the sound experienced by local neighbors.
