Rutgers Univ. Unveils First Phase Of $102M Stadium Expansion
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Rutgers Unveils First Phase Of Its
$102M Stadium Expansion |
Rutgers Univ. (RU) officials Monday "unveiled the first phase of a $102[M] stadium expansion designed to reflect the school's commitment to its football program and draw the athletes, staff and money to become a perennial powerhouse," according to Ben-Ali & Martin of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. There are "28 loge boxes and 852 club seats [that] offer birds-eye views of the field, replays on flat-screen televisions and access to a glass-enclosed concourse with well-stocked bars and upscale dining." Crews "initially planned to open the new section later this month, but worked seven days a week in August -- piling up $300,000 in overtime costs -- to finish" in time for Monday's home opener against Fresno State Univ. The luxury seating "was the initial phase in an expansion of the 41,500-seat venue along the Raritan River." RU fan Scott Newell paid $3,800 for six club seats, and his "only gripe was that club-seat holders didn't have their own entrance and that he had to endure the crush of fans" (NJ.com, 9/1). In Newark, Tom Luicci wrote after touring RU's new club lounge and loge seating, "even the well-heeled fans who have to pony up big bucks now are going to be impressed by their new playground. It's pretty impressive. ... Despite the gloom and doom predictions of many, it was finished on schedule and in time" for Monday's game. It is a "spacious, airy lounge complete with all of the bells and whistles. There are 72 flat-screen TVs, two bars, a buffet eating area, a presidential reception area and it's all glass enclosed." In addition, the "new ribbon boards ... are fully operational" (NJ.com, 9/1).
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