The Pennsylvania State University Beaver Stadium Renovation

overview

Penn State's 64-year-old Beaver Stadium is embarking on a major renovation that will prepare the storied venue to serve the Nittany Lions and their fans well into the future. The three-year, $700 million project is being phased to allow the stadium to remain near full seating capacity for football games and other events. 

We're providing structural design services to Populous along with two associate structural engineers, Stahl Sheaffer Engineering and A+F Engineers. The project will involve reconstructing the west side of the grandstand and include clubs, suites, accessibility improvements and upgraded amenities and improved circulation. 

The west stadium will be replaced in stages: During year one, the press box and upper half of the seating bowl will be demolished and replaced with new construction up to the club level with temporary seating on top. The lower half of the seating bowl will be reinforced to remain freestanding so it can continue to be in service for the first two years of construction. Second year construction will complete the structure up through the suite, broadcast, upper concourse, upper bowl and lighting levels. The third and final year of construction will demolish the remaining lower bowl and replace it with a new seating bowl and club, locker and service areas beneath.

highlights

• The existing press box and seating bowl, portions of which were originally constructed at a different site and moved to the current location in the late 1950s, will be replaced with suites, club seating and a new press and broadcast level. The seating bowl will be replaced with four tiered seating levels.
• The existing east stadium will improve circulation with widened concourses, relocation of structural bracing and the addition of stairs and escalators.
• A key addition is a welcome center, providing event space and expanding the stadium's year-round utility.
• Winterization efforts will allow the venue to host College Football Playoff games, and infrastructure upgrades will address aging steel supports, electrical systems and other maintenance needs.
• Stadium-wide improvements include wider concourses, enhanced amenities and concessions and increased accessibility and improved circulation with new stairs, escalators and elevators.
• Technology upgrades will include advanced videoboards, ribbon boards and enhanced infrastructure to support multi-use functionality.
• Temporary seating during construction will ensure minimal disruption to fans.