Welcome to the blog post about the exciting topic of the Beaver Stadium renovation! For years the home of the beloved Penn State Nittany Lions, Beaver Stadium, has been the source of many vocal, passionate fans who turn up to cheer on their team. However, as the stadium approaches its 50-year anniversary, renovations have been necessary to update the facility, which will provide fans with an even more exciting atmosphere and a quality and safe experience. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the impressive renovation plans in detail and uncover how they will improve the fan experience at Beaver Stadium.
1. Here’s What We Know About the
Penn State announced plans for a comprehensive Beaver Stadium renovation in 2019, and the project has been a long time in the making. From the outside, the stadium will remain relatively unchanged – but behind the scenes, a number of upgrades will create an entirely new fan experience.
The project is broken up into two phases. Phase 1 was completed in 2019 and included the addition of three monumental gates, elevator towers, a new score board, two new HD video boards, escalators, and over 330,000 square feet of renovation to existing spaces. Phase 2 is currently in the design phase and is scheduled to be complete by 2022.
Phase 1 Upgrades:
- Three monumental gates
- Elevator towers
- New scoreboard
- Two HD video boards
- Escalators
- Over 330,000 square feet of renovation to existing spaces
Phase 2 Upgrades:
The plan for phase two includes the addition and renovation of the following:
- Premium seating
- New team store
- Dedicated press box
- Luxury boxes and loge boxes
- Renovated suites
- Renovated restroom and amenities
The stadium’s capacity is currently 106,572. As a result of the renovation plan, there will be a slight decrease in seating for the 2022 season. The exact capacity has not yet been announced.
2. What’s on the Agenda for the ?
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The Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania is getting a much-needed upgrade! The recent renovation project includes plans to add a variety of new facilities and infrastructural improvements that are sure to improve the game-day experience for fans. Here’s a look at the highlights of the Beaver Stadium renovation:
- An additional seating capacity of around 3,000 to 4,000, along with other seating options to improve spectator comfort.
- A new, four-story, 85,000-square-foot press and club tower at the south end of the stadium.
- Upgraded luxury suites featuring amenities such as floor-to-ceiling windows, private bars, and flexible seating.
- Renovated and expanded concession stands.
- A new plaza on the east side of the stadium for pre- and post-game events.
- Expanded and improved concourse areas.
In addition to these upgrades, the Beaver Stadium renovation project will also include improved lighting, sound systems, and videoboards. All of these improvements are set to be completed in 2021, giving Penn State fans all the more reason to keep coming back to Beaver Stadium to cheer on their team!
3. Taking a Closer Look at the Plans
Plans
For Penn State football fans, the renovation of Beaver Stadium won’t just mean having bigger, brighter and better accommodations – it will mean a richer, deeper connection with the team and the game that they love.
The plans for renovating the stadium involve:
- Increasing capacity by adding premium club seat towers and a new student seating section to the upper deck of the stadium, with a total capacity increase of over 5,000.
- Improving amenities with sleek, new lounges, concourses and concession stands, and wider aisles for easier crowd flow, that all bring the modern stadium experience up to speed.
- Enhancing technology with improved WiFi, digital collaboration tools used by coaches and other digital amenities that allow fans to connect with the game wherever they are.
That’s not to mention the numerous other upgrades. The Plans also call for the addition of new structures like a field house, additional seating for the press box, and an indoor practice facility. The Beaver Stadium experience is sure to be greatly improved for Penn State football fans.
4. How Will the Affect Football Fans?
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Penn State Football has unveiled plans to upgrade Beaver Stadium, and the renovations will affect how fans experience football games.
- Key Points for Fans:
- Construction will start in summer 2021
- Enhanced fan experience with improved seating and audio/visual experience
- Reduced capacity to 107,000 fans
The Beaver Stadium renovation project will take place through four phases and is expected to be completed by 2025. Starting in summer 2021, the first phase includes improved seating with chairback and bench seating, a new press box, additional hospitality space, wider concourses, and an improved audio/visual experience. The second phase includes the removal of the south seating stands to reduce capacity from the current capacity of 110,000 to 107,000 in preparation for the third phase of the project. This third phase will focus on further improving the seating, creating new spaces for clubs and suites, and adding new restrooms and concession stands. The final phase includes renovations of the north seating stands.
Beaver Stadium’s Updated Layout
| Areas | Capacity |
|---|---|
| East and West Upper Deck | 32,000 |
| Loge Boxes | 6,001 |
| East and West Suites | 1,741 |
| East and West Club Seating | 5,564 |
| Other Concourse Seating | 17,477 |
| North End Zone Seating | 29,050 |
The updated seating and audio/visual experience in the stadium will provide a more exciting fan experience for Penn State fans. The Beaver Stadium renovation project will bring Penn State Football to the forefront of college football and deliver an even more memorable game day.
5. How Will the Impact Local Businesses?
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Plan
The plan is a major construction project that is estimated to cost $170 million. It was approved by the Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees on April 27, 2018, and is expected to be completed within three years. The renovation plan aims to improve the overall fan experience and focus on the use of technology to enhance the grandeur of the iconic Beaver Stadium.
- New Entrance Plaza
- Updated Video and Audio System
- New ADA Compliant Seating
- Technology Upgrades Throughout the Stadium
- Renovation of the Pathologies and Strategic Communication Buildings
- New Walkway Around the Stadium
The is expected to have a huge impact on the local businesses in the surrounding area. With the addition of 90,000 square feet of construction space, new jobs will be created. Additionally, local businesses will benefit from the increased Downtown pedestrian and automobile traffic thanks to the new entrance plaza and walkway around the stadium. Other businesses, such as hospitality and restaurants, will also benefit from the enhanced fan experience due to the improved audio and video systems, as well as the addition of ADA Compliant seating.
Table 1: Renovation Impact on Local Businesses
| Item | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Entrance Plaza | Increased Downtown pedestrian and automobile traffic |
| Video and Audio Systems | Enhanced fan experience |
| ADA Compliant Seating | Enhanced fan experience and accessibility |
| Technology | Increased job opportunities and revenue for local businesses |
The renovation plan is expected to bring unprecedented economic benefits to the local community, not just in terms of new job opportunities but also in the way of increased revenue for local businesses. With the grandeur of Beaver Stadium being amplified, the local community stands to gain a lot from the renovation plans.
6. What Are the Benefits of the ?
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The not only provides state-of-the-art facilities for fans but also delivers major long-term benefits for Pennsylvania State University. We’ll go over some of the most important perks.
Capacity
- Beaver Stadium will have a maximum capacity of 106,572, so more people are able to cheer on the Nittany Lions!
Flexible events
- The expansion allows for the venue to be used for concerts, festivals, festivals and other events due to the increased space.
Cutting-edge technology
- The installation of LED lighting, easy-access WIFI, improved security with HD cameras are some of the state-of-the-art features.
Upgraded amenities
- Beaver Stadium now features over 4,000 additional seats, multiple new concession stands and improved facility lighting.
Overall, the Beaver Stadium renovation not only delivers a better fan experience but is great for the university’s reputation and appeal. Modern refinements will attract more supporters and with that, the spike in revenue from ticket sales, concessions and merchandise. It’s a win-win situation!
7. What Is the Timeline for the ?
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The has been in the works since 2017. Penn State athletics released details about the six-year project in 2019, confirming the start of a major rebuild. The renovation is set to include improvements to Beaver Stadium’s infrastructure, seating, and fan experience.
7.1 Phases of Construction
Beaver Stadium’s renovation will be completed in seven phases over the lifespan of six years. The timeline is as follows:
- Phase 1 – Renovations to the east side of Beaver Stadium from Spring 2020- Summer 2021.
- Phase 2 – Renovations to the northeast side of the stadium from Summer 2021 – Summer 2022.
- Phase 3 – Renovations to the north side of the stadium from Summer 2022 – Summer 2023.
- Phase 4 – Renovations to the west side and portions of the east side of Beaver Stadium from Summer 2023 – Summer 2024.
- Phase 5 – Renovations to the press box, suite tower, and northwest side of Beaver Stadium from Summer 2024 – Summer 2025.
- Phase 6 – Renovations to the south side of the stadium from Summer 2025 – Summer 2026.
- Phase 7 – Final touches on the project from Summer 2026 – Fall 2026.
Penn State is hoping the project will be completed by the start of the 2027 football season. The timeline is flexible and subject to change depending on the progress of the project.
7.2 Project Cost Breakdown
The cost of the project is estimated to total $286.1 million. Here’s a breakdown of the individual costs for the six-year renovation:
| Fee Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Design Fees & Project Management Costs | $13.7 million |
| Materials & Labor | $212.4 million |
| Contingency | $28.8 million |
| Furnishings & Equipment | $31.2 million |
Beaver Stadium’s much anticipated renovation project is sure to bring a welcoming change to this historic landmark. In the meantime, there’s still plenty to appreciate in the existing building and its longstanding history and tradition. For Penn State alumni and fans, the thought of a new and improved Beaver Stadium might even bring a sense of nostalgia. Either way, it’s an exciting time for the university and its supporters!