June 27, 2001
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) - California's football stadium, which sits atop a
major fault line, is getting a $100 million remodeling to make it earthquake
safe.
The 75,000-seat Memorial Stadium is built on the active Hayward Fault, which
is about 70 miles long and runs through major East Bay cities. Some seismic
experts say it is the one most likely to produce the next devastating U.S.
quake.
The stadium, which resembles a concrete version of the Roman Colosseum, is
home to Cal's football team. The only other campus building to sit on the fault
was a dining hall, which was torn down.
The $100 million is 100 times greater than the cost of building the stadium
in 1923. Much of the money will also pay for non-earthquake related upgrades.
The university will raise money through donations to the athletic program.
The project will be completed in phases over seven years, without interrupting
the football schedule, vice chancellor Edward Denton said.
