Purdue’s plan to renovate Ross-Ade Stadium have been put on hold. Athletic director Mike Bobinski recently told Tom Dienhart of Gold and Black Illustrated that the school is putting a pause on the changes.

The Purdue Board of Trustees approved a renovation plan for the stadium that would cost over $100 million in August 2019. The goal was to start on the project quickly, but the COVID-19 pandemic has altered those plans.

“Like lots of things on campus that weren’t already a shovel-in-the-ground-type project, that one was put on hold froma  planning and education perspective,” Bobinski said.

According to Dienhart’s story, Purdue will face a $17 million deficit because of issues the pandemic caused. And while Bobinski is optimistic that the athletic department will be able to dig out of that hole relatively quickly, renovation plans may not resume until things are settled with the ongoing name, image and likeness (NIL) debate.

“What we’re waiting on once and for all is to get this behind us and then to really understand what’s happening in and around college athletics a little bit,” Bobinski said. “Just kind of get our arms around the lawsuit decision. When they come down with their decision, what is everything going to look like?”

Most schools across the country placed renovation projects on hold as a result of the pandemic. Purdue is no different.