The upper bowl and concourse of the Notre Dame Stadium will be off-limits to spectators at Saturday's Blue Gold Game as a result of repairs to the stadium the University begun in December.

The repairs are addressing structural problems that appeared after the expansion and renovation of the stadium in 1997, including cracked concrete and failed hand rails and joints. The University is paying for the repairs at the same time they are pursuing litigation against Ellerbe Becket, Inc, the stadium project's architect and engineer, and Casteel Construction Corporation, the general contractor of the project. The outcome of this litigation will determine who ultimately pays for the repairs.

According to Director of Public Relations Dennis Moore, construction equipment will remain on site Saturday so repairs can resume on Monday, but construction debris has been cleaned up.

"We're going to make sure the equipment doesn't impede fans going in and out of the stadium. The area will be cleaned up and any dust will be eliminated," Moore said.

The University first became aware of design flaws during the addition's inaugural game Sept. 6, 1997 against Georgia Tech, when the stadium flooded with water and sewage before 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 sewage line in place needed repairs or upgrades. The suit claims the company erred in estimating the expected volume of toilets flushing at peak times before, during and after the game. The suit also claims that Castell did not test the water and sewage systems before the first game to insure they worked properly.

Fans should not become accustomed to seeing the stadium under construction because this stage of work will be completed during the summer and construction equipment and supplies will be removed before the first game of the year on Sept. 22.

• Structural repairs close parts of Stadium
  
• Recycling program grows
  
• University plans for new, modern buildings
  
• Judge rules `Irish' offensive ethnic slur
  
• Students fight eating disorders