Populous and SRG Partnership selected to transform Oregon State University’s Reser Stadium
By David Malone, Associate Editor
Oregon State University’s Reser Stadium is set to undergo a transformation project to become a best-in-class football facility with year-round amenities accessible by all students, athletes, faculty, and staff. Populous, in collaboration with SRG Partnership and design-build partner Hoffman Construction, has recently released the first renderings of the project.
The west side of the stadium will be entirely redesigned to feature a 360-degree concourse that will encourage Beaver fans to discover new experiences. Dubbed Beaver Street, the new concourse will create a connection, both in the bowl and on the counter course, helping to unify the fan experience and bring the entire facility together physically. It will be a first-of-its-kind in collegiate sports facilities, flipping the traditional design of a football concourse and turning it inside out with all amenities arranged so fans have an open-air direct view of the field.
Concession areas were reimagined to have more of a storefront appearance and traditional walkup stands have been replaced with fast-casual dining and self-service grab-and-go stores. Food and beverage offerings have been overhauled to more closely reflect the OSU fanbase through familiar local restaurants and regional fare.
Season ticket holders will have 1,600 chairback seats less than 80 feet from the field. The premium seating deck is 100 feet away from the sideline and will include loge boxes, living room boxes, club seats, and Founders Suite seats in one seating deck. All premium seating areas are covered and protected from the elements.
The lower level of the west side deck will house the new OSU Student Experience Center. The Center is vertically connected to the stadium’s club spaces, allowing the club to function as a multi-purpose event space for OSU and the greater Corvallis community.
A 35,000-sf Wellness Clinic addition will be located on the southeast corner of the stadium. This four-story facility will provide whole-student care, including primary care, counseling, and x-ray and laboratory services. New locker room facilities for visiting teams and a new press box structure are also included in the design.
The project is slated for completion in the summer of 2023.