UW Trustees Authorize Contract for Athletics Video Boards, Audio System

The University of Wyoming Board of Trustees has selected a firm to install video boards, ribbon boards, scoreboards and audio systems for two UW athletics facilities.

The board voted Wednesday to authorize a contract with Panasonic Enterprise Solutions of Newark, N.J., to install the systems in War Memorial Stadium and the UniWyo Sports Complex. The total contract amount is $3.5 million.

The work will take place this summer.

Because of the planned expansion of the Rochelle Athletics Center into the Mick and Susie McMurry High Altitude Performance Center, the existing video board at the north end of UW’s football stadium will be removed. A new video board, about 38 feet high and 84 feet wide, will be installed in the south end zone.

In addition, 3- by 30-foot ribbon boards will be installed at the four corners of the stadium on the fascia of both the east and west grandstands. And a new audio system will be installed in the stadium.

At the UniWyo Sports Complex, home to UW’s volleyball and wrestling programs, a 9- by 18-foot video board will be installed on the north wall, replacing the existing board. In addition, a new scoreboard will be installed on the south wall.

The project is funded by a no-interest loan from the UW administration, to be paid back over 10 years by the Department of Athletics.

Also Wednesday, the Board of Trustees approved the exterior design of the Mick and Susie McMurry High Altitude Performance Center, a 78,100-square-foot addition to the 48,100-square-foot Rochelle Athletics Center.

Part of the UW Department of Athletics strategic plan, the building will provide a combination of new and renovated spaces, including an expanded academic center and sports medicine center; a new football weight room and locker room; renovated and new football meeting rooms and office space; and a training table to meet the nutritional demands of Division I student-athletes. The exterior has been designed in compliance with UW’s newly revised Historic Preservation Plan, which calls for elements to preserve UW’s classical architectural tradition.

The total project cost is $44 million -- $24 million in private donations and $20 million in state matching funds. GE Johnson Construction of Jackson has been selected as the construction manager at risk. Construction is expected to begin later this year.