Update: The university’s full Board of Trustees unanimously approved final plans and expenditure of funds for the upgrades to the Penn State Field Hockey Complex.
Original story:
A Penn State Board of Trustees committee on Thursday recommended approval of a $12.8 million project to upgrade the the Nittany Lion field hockey team’s home at University Park.
The full board will vote on the final plans and expenditure of funds during its meeting on Friday.
Penn State first unveiled plans for the major overhaul of the Field Hockey Complex, developed with with Crawford Architects, in early 2020, but was it was put on hold because of COVID-19. Since then, costs have risen from the initial estimate of $9.3 million.
The project will expand the capacity of the venue, adding an upper level press box, broadcast booth and multi-purpose hospitality area, as well as new field storage. Stadium and press level bench seating will be 1,200, up from the current 750.
Improvements will include home and visiting team dressing areas, a locker room space of officials, ticket office, public restrooms and concession areas.
Brick and metal panels will comprise the exterior materials, with the look intended to complement the nearby Panzer Stadium and Pegula Ice Arena, project designer Joe Corvaia told State College Planning Commission in 2020.
Work is expected to begin this fall with completion in fall 2023. The complex will remain in use during construction.
“We are looking forward to having a first-class facility that will benefit student-athletes, fans, family and friends,” Penn State field hockey head coach Char Morett-Curtiss said in a statement. “It is a facility that will showcase high level hockey and give us the opportunity to offer a premium experience to everyone when we host postseason events, both Big Ten and NCAA. These improvements and additions will also turn the Penn State Field Hockey Complex into a venue that will allow us to host alumni events and other functions all year long.”
Project funding includes $7.75 million in gifts and $2.5 million in borrowing.
Field Hockey Complex upgrades were among more than 20 renovation and new construction projects identified in Penn State Athletics’ 20-year facilities master plan released in 2017. A feasibility study for the field hockey facility was completed in 2019.
The full Penn State Board of Trustees will meet at 1 p.m. on Friday at the York campus.
