Penn State BOT approves Beaver Stadium, athletics facilities projects

Ten months into his tenure as Penn State’s athletic director, Pat Kraft is taking concrete steps toward implementing a wide range of facilities projects for the department. Friday afternoon, that notion took shape with the approval of six major projects by the university’s Board of Trustees.

The most highly anticipated among them, Beaver Stadium, saw approval for a $70 million first phase with only one dissenting vote. Within the phase, $29 million is earmarked for the winterization of the stadium as it currently exists. Other expenses within the first phase will be devoted to design costs, consultants, permits, and other related expenses as the request for proposal (RFP) is already underway among the top 10 design firms in the stadium space.

Beaver Stadium renovation plans

A rough timeline for the overall stadium renovation, described Thursday afternoon in a committee meeting, includes a June 2023 design start, pre-construction in June 2024, construction groundbreaking in January 2025, and construction completion in August 2027.

The totality of the project is to include a complete demolition of the west stands, with spectator circulation issues addressed throughout the stadium, as well as new restrooms, concession improvements, and luxury boxes and amenities. Less visible elements will also include massive facility maintenance needs that include “mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and telecom work.”

Beaver Stadium, as with the other five athletics facilities projects, vowed no tuition to be used in the project. However, a distinction was made that state funds could be utilized for the project with the venue serving the interests of the state and community as well. 

Additionally, Kraft committed on Thursday to keeping capacity at Beaver Stadium at more than 100,000 moving forward. 

Other projects approved on Friday afternoon include:

Greenberg Indoor Sports Center Training Table

For $31.9 million, the former Greenberg Ice Pavilion will be converted fully into a 38,000-square-foot facility to be used throughout athletics. It will include dining facilities, fitness, and recovery spaces, and will be connected both to the Morgan Academic Center and the Lasch Building. 

Construction is to begin in August 2024 with a completion date set for August 2025.

Jeffrey Field Soccer Complex

Jeffrey Field is being renovated to include a 24,400 square-foot space that will move both the Penn State men’s and women’s soccer programs from Rec Hall into a new home. The facility will include home and visitor locker rooms, concessions space, public restrooms, as well as all team needs including hydrotherapy, weight training, coaches’ offices, and a team lounge. Costs are estimated at $21.25 million

Penn State Indoor Practice Air Bubble

Yet to be named, a 106,000 square-foot indoor practice air bubble has been approved to “serve the seasonal practice needs of the Olympic varsity athletics sports programs.”

And, in the process, Penn State football will regain more exclusive access to Holuba Hall through the winter and spring. The seasonal use facility is expected to be put up and taken down every year. The total cost for the project is expected at $9.8 million. It is to be located just south of Jeffrey Field along University Drive.

Penn State East Area Locker Room Renovation

Already in use by athletics, EALR will be renovated to include sports performance offices, nutrition stations, a lounge, and other improvements. The project cost is estimated at $5.2 million and is being designed and renovated in conjunction with the Greenberg Indoor Sports Center project.

Lasch Building Renovation, Phase II

After completing a roughly $48 million weight room expansion completed (mostly) ahead of the 2022 season, the next area to address in the home of Penn State football is in the coaches and meeting areas of the second floor. It will include HVAC improvements that have not been addressed since the building’s opening. Additionally, the outdoor patio overlooking the practice fields will be converted into a new event space.

The project cost is estimated at $22 million.

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In all, the six projects received an approval of $160,150,000 by the board on Friday afternoon.