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GREENSBORO — Like the football program itself, N.C. A&T's latest facilities upgrade is still very much a work in progress.

More than a month behind schedule, construction continues on a $4 million-plus, three-level press box, VIP and luxury suite complex perched atop Aggie Stadium's west grandstands.

Work was supposed to end in August. But with two home games in the books, the structure still lacks exterior walls, and steel beams and duct work are openly visible.

The next home game is Oct. 8 against Bethune-Cookman. The following week — Oct. 15 — is homecoming.

"Of course we'd love to have it finished by homecoming," A&T athletics director Earl Hilton said, "but I don't get into how quickly or slowly the work goes. They'll tell me when it's ready, and I'm willing to wait. I'd much rather it be done right than done fast."

When finished, the 3,460-square-foot structure will house:

• A chancellor's suite for guests and VIPs on most of the second floor.

• Four, 12-person suites that bookend the first and second floors.

• Working press space on the first floor, including home and visiting radio booths.

• Home and visiting coaches boxes, and an official's replay booth.

• Open space on the roof for coaches, video and film crews.

• Two elevator towers to access the building, making it compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act

Hilton said no public money was spent on the project, with funding coming from donations, suite lease fees and bond sales.

"It really becomes the centerpiece of the stadium. A real gem," Hilton said. "We hope it will be a palpable asset for us, and it helps us with the recruiting process."

They have to finish it first. The heat of the summer stopped construction, when the exposed steel became too hot for workmen. There were also problems digging foundations for the elevator shafts.

New football coach Rod Broadway said the building should help the Aggies recruit, but he hopes more facilities improvements are on the horizon.

"One of the things you get with facilities is a 'wow' factor. So much of recruiting is facilities," Broadway said. "That's a building that we use five times a year. It's nice, but I'd like to see us improve the rest of our facilities — coaches' offices, meeting space and stuff like that — so when kids come to visit, they see a nice place.

"Right now, when kids come to visit, we have to either take them in the staff room or take them outside to talk with them. Because we just don't have the space where we can sit down and visit with the kid and his parents. We've got to get more functional than we are right now. But that (press box) is a good first step. It's impressive."

Contact Jeff Mills at 373-7024 or jeff.mills@news-record.com