University Announces Plans For Expansion
Of The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel

January 17, 2003
University Park, Pa. – The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, the centerpiece of Innovation Park at the University Park campus, will undergo an extensive expansion project that will double the number of available guest rooms and make the center more attractive for professional conferences that require ample on-site lodging facilities for their events.

            The University's Board of Trustees heard a report today (Jan. 17) that detailed the 99,000 square-foot addition. The project proposal was approved yesterday by the Research Park Management Corporation.

            "The 150-guest room addition to The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel will enhance the efficiency of the facility and enable the University to more fully utilize its conferencing facilities," said Gary C. Schultz, senior vice president for finance and business/treasurer of the University, in his presentation to the Board. "In addition, this project will give us the opportunity to improve the exterior circulation and building entries while improving the visibility of the Penn Stater and creating a more memorable image."

The project was designed by GBQC Architects of Philadelphia, which designed the original conference center facility. The composition of the addition will be consistent with the existing structure in the use of brick, metal panels and glass.

The plan also calls for a new loop road around the entire facility and signage to clarify access from the two main entrances to the park. Recent improvements to Innovation Park access roads now directly link its facilities with the campus via Park Avenue, U.S. Route 322, and I-99, and will eventually connect directly with the University Park Airport.

The concept of Innovation Park and The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel was originally approved by the Board of Trustees in 1987 and completed in 1994. The hotel and conference facility currently offers 150 guest rooms and has the capability to host events for approximately 1,000 attendees.

            However, given the rapid growth of the campus and the State College area since the original conception of Innovation Park, as well as Penn State's growing national reputation as a leading center for education and research, officials and project planners have determined that there is a need for an expansion of this facility, particularly in regard to the number of available hotel rooms.

            "An expanded hotel and conference facility will have a tremendous impact not only on the visibility of Penn State nationally, but also on the surrounding community," said Schultz. "An enhanced conference center hotel will allow us to meet the needs of most of our professional constituents. In addition, by providing hotel accommodations for more conferees we expect to provide a positive and immediate boost to the local and regional economy through the increased demand these conference visitors will bring for retail goods and services in the area."

With the construction of the Bryce Jordan Center in 1996 and the expansion of Beaver Stadium in 2001, combined with the evolution of Interstate 99 and a robust local economy, the lodging and hospitality service industry in the area has been booming. In fact, over the past decade, more than 10 private hotels and motels have been built in the State College area, with more still in the planning stages.

"For too long we have been turning away too many potential visitors to campus, too many conferences that demand more on-site lodging, and too many events because Penn State   and and the local community – lacks the facilities for some of the bigger events," said James H. Ryan, vice president for outreach and cooperative extension at Penn State. "There is growing number of days each year beyond home football games, graduations and major Bryce Jordan Center concerts where people lack a place to stay at night."

"We do believe that if you build it, they will come," he added. "Not long after this project is finished, we will wonder why the community still can't meet the demand."

            The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel hosted approximately 2,000 conferences and events attracting more than 67,000 attendees last year. In sum, nearly 50,000 guests stayed at the hotel in 2002.

            Funding for the project, estimated at $26 million, will come from revenue generated by the conference center hotel and will not utilize any taxpayer dollars.

*ptk*

Contacts:
Tysen Kendig  tysen@psu.edu or Bill Mahon at bmahon@psu.edu
Dept. of Public Information at 814-865-7517