Reser Stadium will undergo another modernization. Much of the funding for the investment will come from local philanthropists. Upon completion, the facility will be one of the most modern university stadiums in the US.

Greater comfort at the cost of reduced capacity

The project involves a complete reconstruction of the west side of Reser Stadium, which will be preceded by the demolition of the existing grandstand. After the reconstruction, the stadium's capacity is likely to be reduced to 34,000 - 39,000 out of the current 45,674 seats. An interactive welcome center is to be built on the west side for new students considering enrolling at Oregon State University.

It will be connected to the lower level of the new grandstand. There will also be several other facilities that can be used throughout the year. After completion of the works, Reser Stadium will offer new premium and standard seats from the west side, which will ensure the closest distance to the field in the country.

© Oregon State University, Populous

Season ticket holders will have 1,600 seats at their disposal less than 80 feet from the field. A premium seating deck will be located 100 feet from the sideline. The stadium will receive a 360-degree concourse (Beaver Street) and also more food and retail stalls. All the concourse's amenities will be arranged in such a way that fans will have a direct view of the field from there.

In addition, the visibility from the west stand will be significantly improved and many of the solutions used there will be comparable to the ones on the east stand, which was renovated before the 2005 season. Since then, the east stand has two levels, 22 luxury suites and a club area. In 2017, the Valley Football Center was also expanded.

© Oregon State University, Populous

Moreover, the investment budget includes a health center for students of the Corvallis campus, as well as medical facilities for lecturers and other university employees. Additional meeting spaces for academics and students are also planned. A wellness center with an area of approximately 35,000 square feet and four floors is to be built in the south-east corner of Reser Stadium

$ 50 million as a gift

The cost of the modernization is $153 million. Interestingly, as much as $50 million of this amount was obtained from an anonymous donor. Another person who also does not want to reveal identity donated $10.5 million. The goal is to raise $85 million from people of good will. So far, $64.5 million has been raised.

© Oregon State University, Populous

Additionally to philanthropic activities, the redevelopment of Reser Stadium is to be financed from revenues from premium seats, commercial lease and future revenues generated by newly built facilities. On January 28, the investment was approved by the university board of trustees and was admitted to the design phase.

Final approval of the project is expected at the meeting of the above-mentioned university board, which will be held in May. Once approved, the investment would start as soon as the 2021 football season ends (236 days from now), and construction is expected to finish in the summer of 2023, before the start of the new season.

Design and planning companies Populous and SRG Partnership as well as the construction company Hoffman Construction have been awarded a contract for a concept for the expansion of the venue. Oregon State Beavers will be playing at Reser Stadium during its upgrade.

Author: Tomasz Sobura