On Monday morning, Penn State released its Facilities Master Plan. In it are future upgrades to Beaver Stadium, although those are still at least five years away.
The first steps of the outline, which are expected to begin during the 2018-19 academic year at the earliest, include the repurposing of the East Area Locker Room into a hub for all of the university's student-athletes called the Center of Excellence. There is also to be brand new construction for an all-sport indoor practice facility (108,000 square feet), a natatorium (130,000 square feet), an indoor tennis facility (100,000 square feet), along with renovations to Jeffrey Field, the home of the soccer programs.
Following the first wave of that five-year construction process, the football stadium is set to receive enhancements. A specific timeframe and date to begin is yet to be announced.
After its initial construction in 1960, Beaver Stadium has expanded seven times with its most recent enlargement happening in 2001. It's newest renovation will see a slight reduction in seating capacity, but it will remain at or above 100,000, according to the release, "maintaining its stature as one of nation's largest and most iconic facilities."
Included in the Beaver Stadium renovations are: an increase to chair-back seating, new locations for concessions/food options and new restrooms. The concourses are also set to be widened and ticket holders will have new options for premium and luxury seating.
Improvements to the tailgating experience around the stadium are also under consideration and a new parking structure west of Beaver Stadium is also in the works.
The stadium upgrades were formulated as part of surveys conducted among alumni and fans in order to enhance the game-day experience. They are part of a larger strategy from the athletic department that has been in the makings for the past 17 months.
Partnering with Populous, one of the world's largest sports architectural firms, Penn State's Facilities Master Plan is to take place over the next 20 years and address the needs of all 31 varsity sports, their approximate 800 student-athletes and their fans and supporters.
"We are pleased to have completed this master planning study and to share this aspirational 20-year road map for our physical infrastructure," athletics director Sandy Barbour said via press release. "This has been a collaborative, engaging process with our ICA staff, student-athletes, campus partners, community and Populous. This plan continues our efforts to centralize our operations and efficiencies for our students and staff and improve amenities for our alumni and fans."
The Lasch Football Building is also included in the latest Facilities Master Plan, although details for it have yet to be disclosed.
