Permanent lights at Kinnick Stadium could mean more evening events

IOWA CITY - New permanent lighting installed at Kinnick Stadium could open the door to more evening events in the historic venue.

'We expect the permanent lighting will allow for further flexibility in the scheduling of evening events in Kinnick Stadium,” read a statement from the University of Iowa athletics department.

Kinnick Stadium is one of the last venues in the Big Ten Conference to make the transition to permanent lighting, according to athletics officials.

Department spokesman Steve Roe said the additional lighting came at an estimated cost of $375,000. During past night events at Kinnick Stadium, temporary lighting was brought in at a cost of between $50,000 and $60,000 per event, according to Roe.

The installation of the permanent lighting complements other lights previously installed in the stadium. The most recent additions are permanent lights on top of the press box as well as additional light poles in the east side of the stands. The installation took place last month.