LAWRENCE, Kan. — The University of Kansas and Turner Construction Company have officially celebrated the opening of the fully reconstructed David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, a $400 million project that stands as the centerpiece of the University’s ambitious Gateway District redevelopment. The milestone was marked with the Kansas football team’s first practice on the brand-new field, signaling the beginning of a new era for KU athletics and campus life.

The stadium project, one of the largest capital investments in the University’s history, transformed the facility into a modern, multi-use destination designed to serve students, fans, and the broader community year-round. Turner provided both preconstruction and construction services, leading the massive effort that included partial demolition and rebuilding of the stadium, upgraded seating, and significant new amenities.

Among the upgrades are state-of-the-art press boxes, premium suites, club spaces, expanded concessions, retail areas, and a dynamic fan experience zone. Beyond athletics, the design also emphasizes community connection, with the creation of a striking new campus gateway at 11th and Mississippi Street that serves as both a landmark entrance to the University and a hub for activity in Lawrence.

“We are so grateful to Turner Construction for their incredible efforts on the transformed David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium,” said Travis Goff, Kansas Director of Athletics. “It was inspiring to watch the countless Turner employees work tirelessly regardless if it was snowing or a blistering 100-degree heat. They completed the job on time, on budget and in a first-class fashion. Their exceptional executive leadership, under Abrar Sheriff, and committed on-site employees have had a huge hand in bringing this vision to a reality.”

Turner’s work spanned years of planning and over 1.6 million logged work hours, with teams working in challenging conditions to ensure safe and timely delivery.

“It has been an honor to be a part of this transformational project for the University of Kansas that will have a lasting impact on the City of Lawrence, the State of Kansas, and the entire region,” said Jason Brown, Project Executive at Turner Construction Company. “This incredible achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our Turner team, our valued trade partners, and the skilled onsite workforce. Together, they worked around the clock, safely logging more than 1.6 million work hours. Their tireless commitment and craftsmanship have helped create a destination that will serve KU fans, students, and the community for generations to come.”

The project extended beyond the stadium itself. Turner also renovated and expanded the Anderson Family Football Complex, the team’s offices and training facility originally built by the company in 2008. This work further strengthens Turner’s long-standing partnership with KU and its athletics program.

“As a proud University of Kansas alumnus, it is incredibly meaningful to have partnered with the University on a project that will have a lasting impact on the campus and community,” said Abrar Sheriff, President of Turner Construction Company. “David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium will serve as a gateway to pride and progress for generations of students and fans.”

The redevelopment positions the stadium as more than just a football venue. With flexible spaces for conferences, concerts, retail, and dining, the facility is designed to stimulate regional economic activity while enhancing the University’s academic mission. By creating a strong physical and cultural connection between the KU campus and the Lawrence community, the Gateway District is expected to raise the University’s national profile and serve as a magnet for future growth.

University leaders emphasized that the investment represents not only a boost to athletics but also a commitment to student life, community engagement, and economic development. With the completion of the stadium, KU has taken a visible step toward reshaping its campus for the next century.

Originally reported by Turner Construction.