The first phase of $80 million worth of renovations to athletics venues at UNM is scheduled to begin Dec. 20 at University Stadium.
The Pit will receive $60 million in updates, and University Stadium will get $20 million.
Paul Krebs, vice president of athletics, said he does not intend to scale back the renovations to save money.
"We've chosen to really break down the renovation and improvements to the football stadium in smaller, bite-sized, more manageable projects," he said.
Regent Mel Eaves said the athletics renovations will proceed despite the University's spending freeze because the renovation funds come from a different source.
"They either come from a bond that was issued for capital improvements, or they come from money from the State of New Mexico that is designated for capital improvements, and they come from donations made by fans of the basketball program," Eaves said. "So, the rebuilding of The Pit is not in any way taking money away from the budget that is used for construction and general expense on the University campus."
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Andrew Cullen, associate vice president for institutional planning, said the stadium project has shifted gears because it would cost more to have two construction projects - at the stadium and The Pit - going on simultaneously.
"There is just some concern with everything that is going on the economy that whether or not it would be wise to tackle both a big renovation project of The Pit and a big renovation project of the football stadium at the same time," Cullen said.
The stadium's first phase of renovations will cost $8 million - $6 million comes from a 2007 UNM Systems Revenue Bond, and $2 million comes from the 2008 State of New Mexico Severance Tax Bond.
Tim Cass, associate director of athletics, said the renovation project was broken into phases to provide the most effective changes to the stadium first.
"Our focus has gone in a different direction for a variety of reasons, in terms of what we were going to start first, but everything we will do will follow the master plan renovations," he said.
The University Stadium renovations include creating an entryway from the west side of the stadium, adding a handicapped seating area and connecting the walkways at the stadium. There will be a lounge, 40 suites, 300 club seats, a 2,500 square-foot store at the north end of the building, more ticket offices and more eateries. Video boards will also be installed at each end of the stadium.
"At this point, I think this will have the most impact for the amount of dollars spent," Cass said.
The Pit's press box will be renovated, and luxury suites will be added to the Tow Diehm Center.
Krebs said the Pit will be an asset to South Campus once it's renovated.
"There's going to be a lot of exterior glass, lighting, high ceilings - (it will) really make a strong impression when you drive up to the building," Krebs said. "I don't think there's any question that we want you to know when you've walked through the door that you've arrived at the University of New Mexico."
