ODU S.B. Ballard Stadium Reconstruction

A Job That Should Have Taken 18 Months Completed In Just 9 Months

6 Hundred Thousand Pounds of Demolished Materials. 675 Piles for the Foundation. 760 Pieces of Precast Concrete. 19 Hundred Tons of Steel and Aluminum.

Old Dominion University’s old Foreman Field has been replaced with a modern upgrade. S.B. Ballard Construction Company was proud to announce the grand opening of the new S.B. Ballard Football Stadium at Old Dominion University on Saturday, August 31, 2019.  Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium was a multi-event facility that opened in 1936.

The goal was to make this facility more fan-friendly and with seat back chairs, bench back seating, elevators, better concessions, more restrooms, improved audio and video components and more Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium has achieved that goal. Now, fans enjoy the game in the new east or west stands, while being closer to the action, with a better view of players’ benches. Built to offer ODU patrons and supporters a variety of modern amenities, S.B. Ballard Stadium increases the gameday atmosphere and the comfort for every fan.

While the project had a $67.5 million dollar cost, it was funded in its entirety by athletic revenue, private funding and bond proceeds.  No tuition increases or state funds were required.

A project of this magnitude would traditionally take eighteen months to complete. However, utilizing a highly compressed work schedule alongside several forms of advanced technology, S.B. Ballard fully executed the project in just nine months.  S.B. Ballard Construction Company was ready, willing and able to do it and the results are spectacular.

Virtually all of the original stadium was demolished to make way for new seating and new amenities.

PREMIUM BOWL SEATING.  Brand new east and west stands offer increased fan comfort by offering bleacher seating with backs and a 9 inch legroom increase in the bowl.  In addition, the new bowl configuration creates a more personal sports experience by bringing fans 10 feet closer to the sidelines, providing better sight lines over the players’ benches.

UPGRADED FACILITIES AND AMENITIES.  Built to be fan-friendly and offer a variety of modern amenities, the new S.B. Ballard Stadium increases the gameday experience for all fans. Enhancements include a new press box, elevators,  improved restroom facilities, a state-of-the-art sound system, a new video board, and new sports lighting which provide better quality game lighting for high-definition cameras and broadcasts

WIDER VARIETY OF CONCESSIONS. More than twice as many points of sale  compared to the old stadium, and the concessions stands are larger with a wider variety of menu. Fans can satisfy their appetites with Ynot pizzas, seafood, loaded nachos and vegan and vegetarian concessions options, as well as a whole range of Mexican dishes. There are seven first-floor concessions stands – four on the east side and three on the west. Both sides have “blitz stations” offering healthy snacks and beverages, as well as vendors on the second floor.

The ODU Bookstore has outlets on the first floor of each side of the stadium selling Monarch wear. 

PRESERVING ODU’S HERITAGE. The new stadium proudly memorializes the history of Foreman Field by referencing the iconic arches of the original stadium and incorporating Foreman Field’s original 1936 brick pattern into the new design.

AWARD WINNING. Winner of the Rise to the Challenge award as part of the USGBC Virginia Community Leader Awards for an exceptional green building project that overcame significant obstacles.