South Carolina board approves stadium plans

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The University of South Carolina's board of trustees approved building a $17.5 million baseball stadium for the Gamecocks.

The approval Friday means that work on the 6,800-seat structure, which will be located near the school's Colonial Center in the city's downtown Vista area, could start this summer. It is expected to be finished in time for the 2007 season.

The school had previously said the field would cost $10 million. However, university spokesman Russ McKinney says the higher figure includes things like landscaping, environmental work and infracture costs. "By the time you do the entire project, (the cost) is higher than that," McKinney said.

McKnney said South Carolina's athletic department will put up $14 million for the project with the rest coming from other sources, including university funds. McKinney said no taxpayer money would be used.

The stadium will replace Sarge Frye Field, baseball's home since 1956.