Penn State Athletics Set to Propose $68 Million in Facility Upgrades, Additions

Penn State Athletics is seeking just over $68 million for four facilities projects, in addition to $92 million in funding proposed for phase one of Beaver Stadium renovations and Lasch Football Building renovations, recently released agenda details for the Board of Trustees’ May 5 meeting show.

In total Penn State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Pat Kraft is set to seek approval for about $160 million in funding, none of which will use tuition dollars.

The first of the four projects is a 106,000-square-foot indoor practice air supported structure will serve the seasonal practice needs of the Olympic varsity athletics sports programs at University Park.

According to documents, the facility will be sited southeast of Jeffrey Field. The air supported structure is a seasonal use facility and will be designed to be taken down and put up each year. The project will include an artificial turf field, sports lighting and surface parking. The project proposal is asking for an approved amount that will not exceed $9.8 million. Capital projects that are bond financed under $10 million require board approval.

The second project effectively calls for the reconfiguration of the Greenberg Indoor Sports Complex area and the creation of a centralized training table in addition to other recovery-related facilities.

The former ice arena had been used as swing space for university laboratories since 2015, but is being returned to the athletic department.

“This project will include approximately 38,000 square feet of renovated and new space,” board documents state. “All varsity athletes will use the training table. The project scope includes training table, fitness and recovery spaces, as well as an updated public entry, lower-level access, general circulation and flow improvements, site improvements, and a secondary connection to the Morgan Academic Center and the Lasch Football Building. The Morgan Academic Center and Lasch Football Building will remain operational during construction.”

That project is proposed for a budget of just shy of $32 million.

The third project includes a renovation of the East Area Locker Room space which is primarily the home of Penn State sports teams other than basketball, football and hockey. This project is slated for approved funding of no more than $5.2 million. This proposed first floor renovation will include sports performance offices, a fuel station, athletic lounge, updated entry, and general circulation and flow improvements. The facility will remain operable during construction.

Finally, a fourth project calls for the renovation of Jeffery Field. According to documents, the project will include a new soccer operations center and home and visiting team locker rooms in addition to showers for officials, spaces for training, hydrotherapy, strength and conditioning, equipment, coach offices and a team lounge. Restrooms and a concession space will be included to service the public.

Existing facilities devoted to the soccer program in Rec Hall total approximately 6,700 square feet. The proposed renovation and addition will house approximately 24,400 square feet of space. Jeffrey Field will be used during construction.

This project is earmarked for just north of $21 million in proposed funding needs.