October 12, 2010
PASADENA CITY COUNCIL APPROVES $152 MILLION
RENOVATION OF ICONIC ROSE BOWL STADIUM
PASADENA, Calif. (October 12, 2010) – The Pasadena City Council has approved a $152 million financing plan for a major renovation of the Rose Bowl Stadium. It is the largest investment in the history of the 88-year-old iconic structure. The financing plan includes lease extensions that will ensure UCLA will play its home games at the Rose Bowl Stadium through 2042 and the Rose Bowl Game will be played there through at least 2043.
The focus of the multimillion dollar, three-phase project is improving tunnel ingress/egress, improving concourse circulation, increasing the number of concession stands and restrooms, providing state-of-the-art premium seating products in a rebuilt press box, a new scoreboard and cutting-edge video board. The renovation will also address key stadium infrastructure needs that will allow the facility to continue to operate for decades to come. Work would begin in January 2011 and continue outside the football season through August 2013. Primary funding for the renovations would come from bonds to be issued by the city of Pasadena.
“The renovation of the Rose Bowl Stadium is a vital piece of maintaining the history of the Rose Bowl Game and ensuring its success,” said Tournament of Roses Executive Director Scott McKibben. “We are confident we will remain the premier bowl game annually for our participants, spectators and broadcast audience throughout the world with proper enhancements to this storied facility. Along with our partners, and the support of our member conferences, we look forward with great anticipation to the start and completion of this historic project.”
Next and final steps prior to groundbreaking are for definitive agreements to be finalized and financing of the bonds being secured. Both are anticipated by mid-November.
A private philanthropic group, Legacy Connections, Inc., will conduct a fundraising campaign to raise funds for additional project elements to complete the renovation. Legacy Connections consists of business leaders who believe in the iconic, historic nature of the Rose Bowl Stadium and want it improved and maintained at the highest level.
Project highlights include:
Improved Entrance/Exiting Plan through tunnel widening, adding aisles and seat access via the field.
Increased Concourse Capacity to provide more room for fans and easier access to and from seats and amenities.
Restroom Improvements as the number of restroom fixtures will be increased.
Increased Concessions with points of sale to double.
New Video Board which will provide state-of-the-art features and will be two and one-half times larger than the current video board.
Scoreboard Reconstruction of the south scoreboard to recall the 1940’s vintage scoreboard.
Field Hedge reestablished to the historic field hedge. This will become an integral element of the field-level stadium access, acting as the barrier between fans and the playing field and improving ingress/egress to the lower levels of the stadium.
Press Box will be substantially reconstructed to include a limited inventory of modern, state-of-the-art amenities such as luxury suites, loge boxes, club seats and lounge areas. The renovation will provide an appealing area for fans to enjoy the game in comfort with friends and family, and to entertain corporate partners/donors. The premium seating will be integrated into the press box and keep with the traditional feel of the entire renovation.
Overall Seating Capacity is expected to be reduced by only 2,000 to 3,000 seats from current levels. Total capacity is expected to continue to exceed 89,000.
Renovations will not affect the playing of UCLA football home games or Rose Bowl Games. Outside of the press box renovation, work on most other elements of the project is planned between football seasons.
Following is the schedule for Rose Bowl Stadium renovations:
PHASE I (2011)
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New electrical service upgrade and utility loop backbone
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South tunnels and concrete deck repair/waterproofing
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South scoreboard and advertising panels
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North video board and advertising panels, including signature element
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East LED game information sign and advertising panel
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Remodel of east restroom building
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Press box foundations
PHASE II (2012)
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North press box wing and center section (continues through 2013)
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North tunnels 7A and 15A
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Field-level entrances and exits
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Field wall restoration and installation of new field-level advertising panels
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New south restrooms and south restroom building remodels
PHASE III (2013)
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South press box wing and escalator tower (construction begins January 2012)
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Concourse improvements (concession stands/restrooms/entry gates/perimeter fence)
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North tunnels and concrete deck repair/waterproofing
For further information about the Rose Bowl Stadium, please visit www.rosebowlstadium.com. Additional information about the Tournament of Roses and Rose Bowl Game can be found at www.tournamentofroses.com.