Work on the new skyboxes at Jack Trice Stadium is proceeding as planned, and, weather permitting, they should be ready by the start of the 1997 football season.

“We are on schedule,” said Scott Barnes, associate director of special projects for the athletics department. He said the boxes are expected to be ready when the Cyclones play Oklahoma State on August 1.

Barnes said providing more space for the media was the main reason for building the new boxes. “Our media demands are greater now that we are in the Big 12 Conference.”

Steve Jones, communication specialist for Iowa State News Service, said newspaper and magazine reporters will share the second level of the press box with ISU staff. Broadcast media and coaches will occupy the third level. The boxes will also be used by Iowa State football operations staff on game day.

Barnes also said the skyboxes will provide an area to watch games for donors to the athletics department. Although two boxes are on hold for potential donors, Barnes said 20 of the suites have already been sold, and will give Iowa State a “new revenue stream.”

After construction is completed, there will be a total of 23 suites for patrons to view the game. According to Jones, nine of the boxes will be on the level of the new press box, and 10 or 11 boxes will be added to the existing four boxes already in the press area. Various boxes will seat anywhere from nine to 32 people.

Barnes said the $6.1 million project will be “totally privately funded.” The funding is to come from 10-year box rentals and “an anonymous donation,” he said, adding that regular ticket prices will not be affected by the new construction.

Barnes said the boxes will cost anywhere from $15,000 to $35,000 a year.

The skyboxes are in a three-level tower over the upper west stands. They are being built by Weitz Company, a Des Moines building contractor. Construction on the boxes began January 15.