91视频

Oregon State University is preparing to tackle a $153 million renovation of Reser Stadium, thanks in large part to a $50 million anonymous donation 鈥� equal to the largest gift ever received by the university.

The stadium’s west side will be demolished and rebuilt entirely. Additionally, the facility will gain a state-of-the-art, interactive welcome center as well as one new health center for students and another for OSU faculty and staff.

The OSU Board of Trustees’ Finance & Administration Committee on Jan. 28 issued its approval for the project to enter the design phase. The board is expected to give final project approval during its May meeting.

The project team includes SRG Partnership, Populous and Hoffman Construction. With approval, construction would begin immediately late this year and be expected to finish before the start of the 2023 season.

Plans call for a 鈥渕ove to construction documents at the end of the 2021 football season,鈥� said Scott Barnes, vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics at OSU. 鈥淟iterally go into demolition mode and knock the west side down.鈥�

OSU will continue to host games at Reser Stadium during the project.

The overall fundraising goal is $85 million, Barnes said. So far, $64.5 million has been raised. Revenues from event seating and other stadium services will also help pay for the project.

Upon completion, Reser Stadium will have a 360-degree concourse as well as new premium and general seating on the west side.

The renovation will provide the stadium with aesthetic balance, OSU President F. King Alexander said. The west side is a bit smaller currently, but will closely mirror the east side.

Meanwhile, the new welcome center (including meeting space) and health centers will make the stadium active and fully functional 365 days per year.

The project also will eliminate the need to address $70 million of deferred maintenance, King said. As Reser Stadium has aged, maintenance costs have increased. But construction will seismically strengthen the facility’s west side.

鈥淭his is not a time to stop moving forward and looking forward,鈥� King said. 鈥淵es, we’re in COVID, and we want to come out of this stronger with great momentum as a university.鈥�