UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State fans will see several significant upgrades at Beaver Stadium that have taken place during the off-season when they attend the season-opener against Indiana State on Sept. 3 (noon kick).
The most significant changes to the venerable facility include:
- A new entry gate - Gate F - on the East side of the stadium near Gate A;
- More than 100 new locations for ADA patrons and companion seating on the East and West sides;
- Paving work on the field level concourse in the East, West and North sides of the stadium will provide a smoother and level surface for fans;
- A total of eight new restroom facilities, which are ADA-accessible, have been constructed in the East, West and North sides on the field level concourse;
- Improved drainage in seating areas
The changes and improvements to Beaver Stadium began as soon as the 2010 season ended and were completed in two phases, according to Associate Athletic Director Mark Bodenschatz. The first phase ended the week prior to the Blue-White Game and the second phase will wrap-up in time for Football Eve on Friday, Sept. 2 and the Nittany Lions’ 125th season opener the next day.
The new entry - Gate F - is located near Gate A on the East side of the stadium. Designed to accommodate 6,000-8,000 patrons, Gate F will be a tremendous asset on gamedays, allowing some fans who sit on the East side and previously have entered at Gate E, a smoother entry into the stadium. Penn State students will continue to enter Beaver Stadium at Gate A.
The most noticeable changes inside the stadium have occurred in the lower sections of the East, West and North seating areas. In the East and West, the first three rows of seats from goal line to goal line were removed and replaced with five large, pre-cast sections that will permit additional ADA spectators and companions to watch the Nittany Lions from a great vantage point. The pre-cast sections are approximately eight feet wide, to allow spectator traffic flow with the new ADA and companion seating.
Also in the East and West stands, vomitory ramps have been improved to allow for increased and easier access by ADA patrons to the new seating areas.
Fans will also notice significant changes on the North side of the stadium. The Section NF vomitory ramp has been modified with a gentler slope to permit ADA spectators to enter the North field level seats from Section NF, rather than the visiting team tunnel. A total of eight new ADA-accessible restroom facilities have been constructed in the East, West and North sides on the field level concourse.
Bodenschatz said 101 new ADA seats, as well as 101 companion seats, will be available for the upcoming season. With the ADA improvements, the Beaver Stadium capacity for the 2011 season will be 106,572, to remain the nation’s second-largest stadium.
Additional work has been done in a number of areas in the stadium, according to Bodenschatz. The work includes new storm water lines, allowing rain to be captured and re-directed at higher points in the stadium. Trenches, some 8-10 feet deep, were dug in the lower concourse to house the storm water drainage, as well as new water and sanitary lines. With the new lines in place, approximately 50 percent of the field level concourse surface area has been repaved since the end of last season.
Another completed stadium project includes consolidating the storage areas for the field maintenance staff and stadium concessions with new facilities in the North end of the stadium. Electrical work, painting of the east side seats in rows 1-60, new carpeting in the Penn State locker room and painting in the press box on the west side of the stadium also has been completed.
Bodenschatz also said that design and planning are underway for the installation of new video scoreboards to be in place for the 2012 season.
Penn State fans also should be aware of some changes in parking around Beaver Stadium. With the construction of new IM fields underway, Lot 13 along Park Ave. will not be available this season. However, with the completion of Nittany Lion Softball Park, Lot 9 will be available to its capacity for the 2011 season.
Also, fans with single game RV parking passes can no longer use Porter Road for entry into the lots. They will access the RV lots via Park Avenue (east or west) or Fox Hollow Road (from the north).
No. 25 Penn State opens its 125th season Sept. 3 vs. Indiana State at noon. on the Big Ten Network, Penn State Sports Network and GoPSUsports.com. No. 2 Alabama visits Beaver Stadium on Sept. 10 for a 3:30 p.m. kick and all Penn State fans are encouraged to wear white, as the Crimson Tide visit Happy Valley for the first time since 1989.
Penn State Football Eve launches the season on Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Beaver Stadium. The event and parking are free.
Tickets are available for five games during the Nittany Lions' blockbuster home schedule this fall, including Big Ten clashes with Iowa (Oct. 8), Purdue (Oct. 15-Homecoming) and Illinois (Oct. 29). Penn State football tickets can be purchased at www.GoPSUsports.com/tickets or by calling 1-814-865-5555 weekdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.