The $105 million renovation of Amon G. Carter Stadium, the first major upgrade since 1956, will begin immediately after the final home game of the 2010 season on Nov. 13, officials said Monday.

Athletics Director Chris Del Conte said the renovation, unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees in April, was an investment for the continued success of the football program.

“If we want to continue to be a national program, you’ve got to continue to invest in your programs, first and foremost,” he said. “The more you invest, the better served you are going to be.”

The upgrades will be to the west side and north end zone of the stadium and will be entirely donor-funded, according to a press release from the athletics department.

The upgrades will include suites, club seats, improved seating, wider concourses, new restrooms and concession areas, handicap accessible accommodations, elevators and escalators and new lighting, according to the press release. There will also be a new press box.

In addition to an improved fan experience, head football coach Gary Patterson said the renovations will benefit the football team in some aspects, like recruiting.

“It makes an unbelievable statement,” Patterson said. “It makes a very strong statement of what TCU is trying to get accomplished as a university.”

Patterson also said it would increase the team’s home advantage by making the stadium louder.

“The north end zone’s going to be bowled in; it’ll have a second level,” he said. “Just like the south end zone part has really made our stadium louder, the noise has not been able to leave, and hopefully it’ll keep more people in there yelling.”

Mark Cohen, athletics media relations director, said SMU’s Ford Field will hold the Armed Forces Bowl, usually held at the stadium, on Dec. 30 due to the renovations. Cohen said the teams and bowl activities would still be based in Fort Worth. The only difference would be that the game would be played in Dallas.

He said the location of the 2011 game is currently unknown and would depend on the progress of the renovations. The 2012 game, however, would return to Fort Worth after renovations would be completed.

Patterson said the football team would play all of its home games at Amon G. Carter Stadium during the renovation period.

Cohen said that the plans for the AFC Champion to use the university’s outdoor and indoor practice facilities prior to Super Bowl XLV would not be affected by the renovation.

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Previous Edition Published:Monday, August 16, 2010, 3.30 p.m.

SMU’s Ford Field will hold the Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 30 due to the official announcement of renovations to Amon G. Carter Stadium, a university media representative said.

Mark Cohen, athletics media relations director, said Monday that the $105 million renovation of the stadium would begin immediately afterthe final home game of the 2010 season on Nov. 13.

Cohen said the teams and bowl activities would still be based in Fort Worth. The only difference would be that the game would be played in Dallas.

He said the location of the 2011 game is currently unknown and would depend on the progress of the renovations. The 2012 game, however, would return to Fort Worth after renovations would be completed.

Head football coach Gary Patterson said the football team would play all of its home games at Amon G. Carter Stadium during the renovation period.

The renovation will be the first major one done to the stadium since 1956, when the university added the upper deck. The stadium opened in 1930.