The proposed expansion of Beaver Stadium would add nearly 10,000 new seats,
including 1,000 additional seats for students, and renovate the press box.
The proposed expansion of Beaver Stadium would add nearly 10,000 new
seats,
including 1,000 additional seats for students, and renovate the press box.
To meet the ever-increasing demand for tickets to Penn State football games, the University's Board of Trustees on May 15 approved a major renovation and expansion of Beaver Stadium. The expansion will add nearly 10,000 seats, greatly increase and improve rest-room and concession facilities, improve handicap access and pedestrian circulation patterns, upgrade locker rooms and add new scoreboards with instant-replay capability.
President Graham B. Spanier, noting the many benefits of the expansion, stressed the access that the University will be able to provide to additional fans.
"The football program at Penn State is one of the most popular in the country," said Spanier. "This expansion will allow more fans to get tickets, and it will make going to Beaver Stadium a better experience for everyone, with greatly improved restrooms and concession stands. And the good thing for current fans is that the project will be completely self-supporting and will not take funding away from academic programs."
The cost of the estimated $84 million project, planned for completion in two construction stages by the 2001 season, will be met by revenue from the lease of skyboxes, club seating receipts, ticket sales from the new seats and other contributions.
"From the board's perspective, the most important things about the renovation are the increased availability of seats to accommodate fans, and a way to fund it that won't draw away other University funds or saddle current ticket holders with increased costs," said Board of Trustees Chairman Ted Junker. "The popularity of Penn State football just continues to grow, and we want to be sure we can accommodate as many future fans as possible."
The proposed expansion includes the addition of a second tier in the south end zone that parallels the north addition of 1991, but which includes all chairback seats. It will provide approximately 6,000 general seats and an estimated 4,000 club seats. The construction also includes a minimum of 58 enclosed skyboxes in a three-level pavilion behind the east stands.
Revenue from the lease of the skyboxes and the club seats will substantially underwrite the cost of the general seating, as well as the overall amenities, including restrooms, concession stands and circulation patterns. The skyboxes will be able to accommodate up to 16 people each, and will be similar to boxes at other collegiate stadiums around the country. In addition to chairback seats, the club level will offer protection from the weather for many seats and access to a club/lounge area with panoramic views of Mount Nittany and beverage and food service.
The expansion will bring the stadium's seating capacity to approximately 103,500. This will make Beaver Stadium the second largest collegiate stadium behind The University of Michigan, which is expanding to 107,000 seats.
"This is an important commitment on the part of the University to the future of Penn State football," said head Coach Joe Paterno. "We have the best fans in the country, and now even more of them will be able to get in and see the games in person."
Students will have priority for one thousand additional tickets. Priority for the remainder of the newly available seats will be based upon Nittany Lion Club points, said Tim Curley, director of intercollegiate athletics. "Fans who are interested in signing up can call the telemarketing office at (800) 863-3336 to be put on the list for consideration," Curley said. "Those who are interested in either club seating or skyboxes will need to let us know by Nov. 1, and Nittany Lion Club members will have until July 1999 to increase their point value, which is when we will assign priorities for the new seats."
Ticket demand in the past has resulted in a sold-out house for 118 of the last 119 games. (The one non-sellout in that string was the 1991 Cincinnati game, the first after the most recent expansion, when tickets were held back until the last minute to be certain the addition would be ready in time for the opening of the season.) Over the last five years, there has been a 97 percent season ticket renewal rate. Last year, only 4,000 single-game tickets were available for the six home games, and 2,400 of those were single tickets scattered throughout the stadium. Those tickets sold out in 2.5 hours.
In addition to the new seats, the renovation of the south end of the stadium will include a 28,000-square-foot restaurant/lounge called the Mount Nittany Lounge, which will offer a pre-game, halftime and postgame gathering area where fans who have purchased tickets in the club-level seats can enjoy light snacks and beverages. The club also will be available to the University community throughout the year for special gatherings and functions on non-football Saturdays.
The view of Mount Nittany that some fans previously enjoyed will be available in an expansive panorama from the Mount Nittany Lounge, which also will feature pictures and historical displays on the landmark mountain. While fewer than 30 percent of current seats can see the mountain, it holds a special significance for many Nittany Lion fans, and the theme of the Mount Nittany Lounge will serve to honor that tradition.
The renovation project is expected to be completed before the 2001 football season.
The Board of Trustees on May 15 appointed HOK Sport/John Haas of Kansas City and State College to be architects for Beaver Stadium renovations and expansion. The group was among four design teams considered by the board's Architect/Engineering Selection Committee.
The project includes the addition of about 10,000 seats, greatly increased and improved restroom and concession facilities, improved access for the physically challenged and pedestrian circulation patterns, upgraded locker rooms and the addition of new scoreboards with instant-replay capability. These improvements are based in part on recommendations from an athletic facilities master plan and needs assessment conducted by HOK Sport and a market study conducted by Coopers and Lybrand.
The project will start next year and is expected to be complete before the 2001 football season.