Thursday, May 22, 2014

Philadelphia Eagles spend $90 million upgrading Lincoln Financial Field


The Philadelphia Eagles say they are on schedule, and on budget, to complete the second of their two-phase $125 million stadium renovation project by the end of July.

The changes include the addition of 1,600 seats, being constructed in three of the four previously open corners at Lincoln Field Field. Video upgrades will be installed throughout the venue, which include two mammoth video boards behind each end zone and the extension of the narrow LED ribbon board that will nearly encircle the facility below the suite level.

In addition, the SCA and Panasonic stadium clubs are being renovated with new flooring and carpeting, furniture, artwork and concession areas.

“Just like when your house gets to be 11, 12 years old, sometimes it’s time for a fresh coat of paint,” said Jason Miller, the Eagles senior vice president of operations, who led a tour of the ongoing construction work Wednesday morning.

Lincoln Financial Field opened in 2003 with 68,532 seats. When the 2014 season begins, it will have more than 70,000.

Miller said the price tag for the second phase is slightly more than $90 million. In February, the team announced it was increasing ticket prices for about half the seats at stadium for the upcoming season.

The first phase of the facelift, completed prior to the start of last season, consisted of $35 million worth of improvements that include Sunday included redesigning the front entrance, installing artwork around the stadium — even in elevators — that depict great plays and players in Eagles’ history, equipping the facility for free Wi-Fi service, enlarging stadium store, improving lighting in concourse areas, expanding concessions areas, making cosmetic improvements to luxury suites, and creating a new private indoor club.

Adding seats in previously open areas will allow fans to get to their seats faster and have more direct routes to various concession areas, while also making it easier for vendors to navigate the stadium’s seats.

The team conducted a wind study to see if the construction will have an impact on the field.

“[The study] showed there isn’t going to be much of a difference,” Miller said.

The Eagles first home game after the renovations are completed will be a preseason contest Aug. 21 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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