Panther Stadium at Blackshear Field
Panther Stadium at Blackshear Field is a stadium on the campus of Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas. The venue is a multi-sport field used primarily for American football and is the home field of Prairie View A&M Panthers football. Initial capacity is 15,000 with future phases calling for expansion up to 30,000 being possible. The 15,000-seat stadium holds 10 skyboxes/suites and 500 premium seats, a field house featuring a large weight room, a dining area, academic support space, locker rooms and training rooms, and other amenities. The stadium's inaugural game was held on September 4, 2016 between Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern.[7]
Address | 1600 Stadium Drive |
---|---|
Location | Prairie View, TX |
Coordinates | 30°5′28″N 95°59′40″W |
Owner | Prairie View A&M University |
Operator | Prairie View A&M University |
Capacity | 15,000 |
Surface | FieldTurf |
Construction | |
Broke ground | January 30, 2015[1] |
Opened | September 4, 2016 |
Construction cost | $61 million[2] ($65 million in 2019 dollars[3]) |
Architect | PBK Architects[4] |
Structural engineer | Walter P Moore[5] |
General contractor | Skanska[6] |
Tenants | |
Prairie View A&M Panthers (NCAA) (2016–present) |
History
The new stadium was announced in 2014. It would cost an estimated $60 million to build and would be built on the old Edward L. Blackshear Field. Led by Roy Perry, Prairie View A&M alums earned an estimated $30 million and started the Prairie View A&M Foundation in 2009. Those funds would be used for campus enhancements with $10 million being set aside for football stadium renovations. The Texas A&M board of regents approved the project in early 2015, and the old stadium was demolished that fall, forcing Prairie View A&M football to find a local high school to host their 2015 home games.[8] Prairie View A&M hopes the new stadium will increase enrollment in the school. Overall students raised nearly 2/3 of the funds to build the new stadium. Additional construction at and around the stadium includes a new U.S. Olympic track and a new soccer stadium.[2]
References
- "Groundbreaking Ceremony Kicks Off $60 Million Stadium And Athletic Complex Project For PVAMU Athletics" (Press release). Prairie View A&M University. January 5, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- Pattani, Aneri (June 23, 2016). "Prairie View A&M Hopes New Stadium Will Boost Enrollment". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
- Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- "PVAMU To Hold Press Conference Regarding Status Of Football Stadium, Athletic Fieldhouse February 18" (Press release). Prairie View A&M University Department of Athletics. February 11, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- "Prairie View A&M University Panther Stadium". Walter P Moore. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- "Skanska constructs football stadium in Prairie View, USA, for USD 53 M" (Press release). December 30, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- Zwerneman, Brent (August 27, 2016). "New Football Stadium Ushers in Next Era at Prairie View A&M". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- "Prairie View A&M to Unveil New Stadium and Complex". Onnidan.com. Retrieved August 10, 2015.