CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) – The cost for a new track and soccer facility at the University of Illinois has bounced 50% higher.
The (Champaign) News-Gazette reports Tuesday that it is now estimated the complex will cost nearly $21 million compared with the around a $14-million estimate last year.
School officials in the Champaign-Urbana area partly blame trade tariff for pushing the price of steel and aluminum higher. Construction costs are also higher because of a shortage of construction workers in a strong economy.
The soccer fields should be completed by the start of next fall’s season. The stadium for soccer should be in done in 2020. The building of the track area should wrap up by the time the university hosts the Big Ten championships in the spring of 2021.
