Rice-Eccles Stadium

While Rice-Eccles Stadium was built primarily as the home of University of Utah football, it was designed with the ability to host world-class events such as the 2002 Winter Olympic opening and closing ceremonies, Major League Soccer games and rock concerts. Olympic requirements dictated adding a northeast tunnel for direct access to the playing field and that the roof of the Stadium Box is designed to accommodate the world press expected for the Games. FFKR also anticipated the expansion of the stadium in the south end zone to complete the bowl configuration and the possible addition of a suite level at the top of the east bowl.

In late December 1996, a matching grant from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation changed Rice Stadium Expansion from a three-phase project to a 17-month, single-phase project to be completed before the 1998 football season. In one month, FFKR prepared construction documents that enabled the project to be issued for bid.

Construction began in April 1997 and proceeded during the 1997 football season. FFKR worked daily with Layton Construction to ensure that the stadium was complete for the 1998 season.