Penn State Plans 'Major Renovation' of Beaver Stadium
Penn State has taken the first step toward a new Beaver Stadium, deciding that it will renovate the 63-year-old facility rather than build a new stadium.
Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi told the Board of Trustees on Friday that "significant consultation and research" led to the decision to renovate rather than build new. Speculation about Beaver Stadium's future has lasted for a decade, as the university and athletic department wrestled with how to modernize the nation's second-largest stadium.
In a statement, Penn State said the renovation would consist of a multi-year, multi-phase process but offered few other details. Bendapudi told the board that Penn State Athletics will fund the project, and no educational dollars will be used.
Bendapudi said that renovation would be "far more economical" than new construction.
“Penn State has some of the most dedicated and loyal fans in the world and they deserve a facility that has upgraded amenities and improved circulation around the facility to enhance the fan experience," Bendapudi said. "It is my commitment that we will do what we must to preserve one of our most iconic spaces in the most economical way possible.”
Bendapudi and Athletic Director Patrick Kraft have not provided details on the renovation plans. Penn State said Friday that proposals for the multi-phase renovation were being finalized. They will be presented to the board at a later date.
“I know there is a lot of interest in this project, and we are at the beginning of a multi-year journey, which still must include proposal review and approval by the Board of Trustees," Bendapudi said in a statement. "Athletics also will need to put the project out for bid."
In December, Penn State Athletic Director Patrick Kraft said that the program was "very close" to determining Beaver Stadium's future. He hinted that the department likely would choose renovation over new construction for economic reasons.
"I make no bones about it: I love this building," Kraft said then. "I love coming in this building, I love the history of this building. When I walk the parking lots and I talk to people about having generations of memories in the building, I want to make this building better, and we have to do that."
Beaver Stadium opened at its current location in 1960. Its seating capacity has more than doubled through seven expansions since to the current capacity of 106,572.
Beaver Stadium's future has been a prominent Penn State discussion since at least 2017, when the athletic department unveiled its 20-year facilities master plan. Last year, Penn State surveyed season-ticket holders and other groups for their views on Beaver Stadium's future. The survey included questions about club suites and other high-end amenities and took the fan temperature regarding renovation or new construction.
The original master plan included a Beaver Stadium renovation proposal designed to modernize the facility while maintaining capacity of at least 100,000. Kraft called that 100,000 number important, since venues of that size are rare.
Penn State was successful filling Beaver Stadium last season, recording its highest average attendance since 2008. Kraft said the program sold nearly 92,000 season tickets for the season.
Kraft added that "no one is building a 100,000-seat stadium" because of costs. Northwestern last year announced plans to build a 35,000-seat stadium to replace Ryan Field for an estimated $800 million. Northwestern said the stadium will be privately funded, in part through a $480 million gift from the Ryan family.
"To build new anywhere it’s expensive, let me put it that way," Kraft said. "No one is building a 100,000-seat stadium. That's important to us. I think that's an important piece of who we are. So yes, there is a financial threshold that building new just would be unfeasible."
Beaver Stadium is a leading economic driver for Penn State and Centre County. According to the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, football represents an $87.2 million annual impact on the Centre County economy. Fans spend an estimated $66.9 million annually on transportation, lodging, food and retail when attending Penn State football games. Fans spend $58.7 million of that money at Centre County businesses, the HVAB reported last year.
That impact could rise significantly in 2024, when the College Football Playoff expands to 12 teams. Campuses will host first-round playoff games, for which Kraft said Beaver Stadium would be ready.
"Make no bones about it: If we were to play a playoff game in three weeks, we would play a playoff game in here," Kraft said. "I don't care what it would take. We would go flush the toilets and keep the water running for a month before. We're going to play a football game in here.
"... I also think the work that would be done on Beaver Stadium allows us to use it more throughout the year as well. I think it's not just solely football, but we've got to also find ways to help enhance the building and keep the life of the building. Our team is really working on how we can maximize Beaver Stadium more than seven days. So all of those things would play into any sort of renovation."
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