$5 million now needed for Cyclones' new scoreboard

AMES - The maximum cost of installing a new scoreboard at Jack Trice Stadium has increased from $4 million to $5 million.

Iowa State University officials will seek approval of the budget increase from the state Board of Regents during a meeting Wednesday in Ames. The meeting information was released Thursday.

The new total is due primarily to an increase in the projected costs to erect the structure that will support the new video and sound system above the Jacobson Building, which sits at the north end of the football stadium, ISU officials said in the meeting information.

ISU's plan for a new scoreboard and sound system was approved last October by the regents. The plan will move the scoreboard and video screen to the north end of the stadium from the south end.

The current scoreboard and sound system, purchased in 2002, is outdated and obsolete technology, ISU officials said. ISU will buy the new system from Daktronics, the same company that made the current football scoreboard and the scoreboard in Hilton Coliseum.

ISU plans to finance the $5 million purchase, with annual payments estimated at $675,000 for 10 years, with interest of 5.9 percent. Funding for the payments will come from athletic department revenues and scoreboard advertising.