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University Of Florida Announces $64.5M Renovation To O'Dome

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GAINESVILLE (CBSMiami/AP) — Sun Life Stadium isn't the only Florida sports venue that's getting an expensive makeover.

The O'Connell Center on the University of Florida campus is back on track for a significant renovation.

Florida announced new plans for the facelift Tuesday, with a projected price tag of $64.5 million. That's nearly $20 million more than the initial estimate last year.

The Gators delayed the remodel in February, citing a change in construction companies. The project had been scheduled to begin in March.

Florida has since signed a construction authorization contract with Brasfield & Gorrie. Portions of construction are scheduled to begin this fall, but the O'Dome will remain fully operational until the renovation phase begins in March 2016.

The project is scheduled to be done in time for fall commencement in December 2016.

The facility, which originally cost $14 million to build, opened in 1980. It has undergone several renovations since.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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