Responding to structural problems resulting from the 1997 expansion and renovation of Notre Dame Stadium, the University began repairs to the upper concourse floor, concrete toppings, joints, railings and sealants during holiday break.

According to Dennis Moore, director of public relations and information, the majority of the repairs will be completed by the next football season, but repairs may continue afterwards.

"The principal repairs will be completed by next August. The bulk of the repairs has been scheduled for this time period," Moore said.

While the stadium is being repaired, meeting and training rooms are still available for use. The repairs became necessary after concrete in the expanded section began to crack following the expansion. Although the expanded stadium has been in use since the 1997 football season, the problems did not present a safety hazard for fans.

"We would not have used the stadium if it was a risk, but there are substantial repairs that have to be made," Moore commented.

While the University is currently footing the bill for the stadium renovations, legal action against the stadium's architect and engineer will decide who ultimately pays the tab.

The Univeristy filed suit in August 1999 against Ellerbe Becket Inc. of Minneapolis, the project's architect, Casteel Construction Co. of South Bend, the construction manager and general contractor and Ideal Consolidated Inc. of South Bend, the plumbing and mechanical contractor, alleging major construction and engineering flaws in the expanded stadium.

The University first became aware of design flaws after the opening game on Sept. 6, 1997 against Georgia Tech, when water and sewage began flooding the stadium prior to the start of the game. The suit alleges Ellerbe Beckett failed to design an adequate water supply system for the stadium and did not notify the University that the current sewage system needed repairs or upgrades. The suit claims the company made design errors based on inaccurate assumptions of the expected volume of toilets flushing at peak points before, during, and after the game. The suit also claims that Casteel and Ideal did not test the water supply and sewage systems before the first game to assure they worked properly.

In addition, the University has said that since the opening of the stadium, hand rails and joints replaced during the renovation have failed.

For now, Moore said the University is being "intentionally general" about details of the repairs, so as not to affect the litigation.

The South Bend Tribune contributed to this report.

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