OU Board of Regents approve $42 million budget, contracting for softball facility project

NORMAN — The OU softball team is fresh off its second straight national title.

Soon, the team's facilities will see a change-up.

The Oklahoma Board of Regents authorized the university's administration Tuesday to contract and make payments toward the construction of Love's Field, which has an estimated budget of $42 million.

The project update comes after the board approved the inflation-adjusted budget during its yearly Master Plan of Capital Improvement Projects on May 13.

As of Tuesday, $28 million of the $42 million budget has been raised by over 800 donors. This includes a $12 million lead gift from Love's Travel Stops that originally began as a $9 million pledge on Oct. 28, 2021.

"It’s happening!!!" OU athletic director Joe Castiglione said via Twitter. "Thanks to all the players and Coach Gasso, as well as coaches/staff/fans through the years that were part of building this elite program.

"We express our gratitude to the Love Family and many other donors stepping forward to make the new stadium a reality."

More: Former OU Sooners star Jocelyn Alo signs with professional softball team

Love's Field will be constructed at the northwest corner of South Jenkins Avenue and Imhoff Road in Norman. Groundbreaking is expected to occur in the coming months.

The new stadium will have a seating capacity of approximately 3,000 spectators with the use of fixed seats and tiered berm seating. The design also allows for expansion.

For comparison, OU's current stadium has a seating capacity of approximately 1,600. This includes temporary seating that is added each season.

The new facility will also feature a 10,500-square-foot indoor training center. This will include a training room, locker room, classroom and showcase area for national championships and other program accomplishments.

In total, the complex will cover approximately 42,750 square feet. The current facility covers 15,150 square feet.

Justin Martinez can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or @JTheSportsDude on Twitter. Make sure to subscribe to The Oklahoman to stay up to date with all local sports.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU Board approves $42 million budget, contracting for softball facility