With a major renovation at Hartford’s XL Center arena now launched, attention is now turning to Rentschler Field stadium across the river in East Hartford — home of the University of Connecticut football program — and the $63 million in state-taxpayer funded repairs a study recommended two years ago. The state legislature has approved the first $24 million for upgrades that would kick-off a five-year plan — $12 million a year — for major renovations at the stadium. The goal is for the stadium to keep up with evolving NCAA Division I standards. Rentschler is so dated, proponents of the renovations contend, that there are pay phones still mounted in the sports venue. The argument also is that upgrades would make the stadium more efficient to run and less costly eliminating temporary, stop-gap repairs. So far, the state has released $5 million for the renovation project. The Capital Region Development Authority, the quasi-public agency that oversees the stadium operations, intends to seek another $4 million in the near future, as renovations ramp up early in the new year.
CT’s marquee stadium needs $63M in repairs. Why increased attendance is making a difference.