Penn State AD Sandy Barbour yesterday unveiled a master plan to "assess the current state of athletic facilities on campus, prioritize and sequence the need for changes and develop a source of revenue to fund changes," according to Marley Paul of the CENTRE DAILY TIMES. The athletics department earlier this month announced it would partner with K.C.-based architecture firm Populous "in hopes of attaining an efficient master plan for the 31 varsity sports on campus." Barbour "reaffirmed her preference" to leave Beaver Stadium as it is, while "making necessary renovations to appease the 100,000 fans that fill one of the nation’s largest on-campus" football venues. Barbour said that she "loses sleep over a possible Beaver Stadium renovation." She added, "It may require us to dial back, and we realize some things we thought were needs are wants." Barbour acknowledged "common gripes about the stadium’s concession options, lack of chair backs on bleacher seats and outdated plumbing." But she said that financial concerns "are real." Furthermore, Beaver Stadium "isn’t at the forefront of facilities that need an overhaul." Barbour said the McCoy Natatorium, home of Penn State Aquatics since '67, is in "pretty bad shape." Jeffrey Field, the home to men’s and women’s soccer, "could be improved" as well. Barbour "cited the lack of video replay capabilities on the scoreboard, use of portable toilets, and absence of home and away locker rooms among chief concerns at the field" (CENTRE DAILY TIMES, 10/20). Barbour said that the athletic department and Populous "will weigh costs of renovations against cost of replacing" Beaver Stadium entirely, while "taking into account fan experience and recruiting advantages." She added, "I don't want the answer to be new (Beaver Stadium)" (PHILLY.com, 10/20).
