Jack Trice Stadium is undergoing a large renovation this summer to enhance football fans’ game day experience.

The current renovation to the stadium is in phase two of a larger project that began last summer. This summer, renovations are being made to the east side of the stadium.

The Weitz Construction Company out of Des Moines has been facilitating the renovations at Jack Trice.

Ben Bruns, project manager and former ISU football player, said the east side renovations are a little more than a month ahead of schedule and the gate and fencing project is right on target.

Bruns said while all renovations affecting fans will be complete by the end of the summer. Canopies will not be installed until after the season has started.

Nick Britton, assistant athletic director for facilities and event management, said while most of the project will be finished before the season, “just some of the cosmetics will be incomplete.”

A new staircase on the east side of the stadium has been added, along with the Richard-Jacobsen Plaza, bathroom fixtures and concession stands.

“It will enhance the overall fan experience. All new toilets and fixtures will be a benefit to fans,” Britton said.

The project includes a 33 percent increase of rest room fixtures, Bruns said — a major convenience to fans who don’t want to miss the game by waiting in line to use the facilities.

The construction on the east side was budgeted for $11.5 million and Bruns said everything is currently within budget.

He said most of the money comes from private funds and gifts. With the current state of the economy, he said the athletic department is “not increasing ticket prices at all.”

The concourses of the stadium are also being widened. Bruns said the paths have more than doubled in the narrowest spots. This will allow spectators to move more freely around the stadium to get good use of the restroom facilities.

“For folks walking around [during games], it will be a much more pleasant experience,” Bruns said.

Britton said while the ticket price will not increase, the athletic department is hoping for an increase in season ticket sales.

“We have been at this for a couple of years and I want people to know how much fun it was to work with the athletic department and facilities planning and management,” Bruns said.