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Lambeau Field Atrium to undergo renovations
Lambeau Field Atrium to undergo renovations
GREEN BAY -- The Green Bay Packers will begin renovations to the Lambeau Field Atrium this offseason and will continue work on the project through the next two offseasons, with work scheduled to be fully complete in June of 2015.
"It's like anything else. You live in a house and you find things you want to change," Packers CEO Mark Murphy said.
Highlights of the project include a new Packers Pro Shop, located in what will be a revamped lower level of the Atrium, new locations for the Packers Hall of Fame and Curly’s Pub, a new east-side entry gate to enhance ingress and egress, and a larger Oneida Nation Gate that includes a plaza area and a more prominent connection to Oneida Street.
Additionally, the players’ parking lot will move to the south side of the Oneida Nation Gate, with access via a tunnel under the enlarged gate. This enhancement will further open up access to the east side of the Atrium, with parking adjacent to the new east side entrance.
The project, with a cost of $140.5 million, is the final phase of stadium renovation work that began in 2011 and included a new sound system, new video boards, two new gates and approximately 7,000 new seats in the south end zone.
Funding for this phase will come from the Packers through private financing ($85.5 million) and a loan from the NFL G4 program ($55 million).
In total, including the current project in the south end zone, renovations to the stadium will cost $286.5 million, with no funding coming from public tax money.
During the course of the renovation, the Packers Pro Shop will remain open as it transitions from its current to its new location.
The Packers Hall of Fame and Curly’s Pub will close while their new locations are being constructed. The date and duration of closing periods will be determined when more detailed construction plans are established.
"It does nothing but enhance the facility. It's like any construction project -- you'll have some short-term pain, but in the long-term you'll have a much better facility," Murphy said.
In addition to the public areas, the football facilities will receive some upgrades as well, including space for conditioning and team walkthroughs. This aspect of the renovations keeps the team’s football operations up-to-date with the latest technology and best practices.
This phase of the renovation will continue to be an economic impact and benefit to the community. The second phase is expected to employ approximately 1,500 workers over the next two years and provide more than $60 million in wages.