FOXBORO, Mass. — The average age of NFL stadiums is less than 20 years. They’re not falling apart at that point, but the desire for newer, bigger, more amenitized venues has driven stadium retirement age down from the previous average of 30 years.
Gillette Stadium opened 21 years ago. Thus, in stadium years, it’s past its prime. But a $250 million upgrade will give the facility a new look -- and some bragging rights to boot.
“The video board here is the largest outdoor stadium video board in the country,” said Jen Ferron, Chief Marketing Officer of Kraft Sports + Entertainment.
The video board is the most prominent feature of the stadium renovation -- and here’s why. It stretches in an arc completely across the north side of Gillette -- measuring 60 x 370 feet. That translates to 22,000 square feet, or just under half an acre. The board will allow for multiple images at once -- including replays, other games -- even fantasy football data.
The second most noticeable change is to the venerable lighthouse which, aside from projecting lumens, served no functional purpose. Now, a new, taller lighthouse rises from the space -- and it comes with an observation deck, with views of Boston and Providence.
A massive, new two-bar function space will serve both fans and private parties -- but it’s the new, ground-level Celebration Beer Hall that may truly enhance the Gillette experience.
“It’s connected to the service tunnel where both our Patriots and Revolution players leave their locker room prior to the start of the game,” said Ferron.
This means those in the Beer Hall will get an opportunity not only to cheer on the team as they hit the field -- but maybe even slap a high-five.
And that should be on opening day -- September 10th -- when the Patriots take on the Philadelphia Eagles. That’s sixty days to stitch together all the sheetrock and steel bones that are at the core of the 18-month project.
“We’ve been working continuously through soccer season and football season and all of our concert function business,” Ferron said. “We are on track and on schedule and ready to open with the start of the NFL regular season.”
“We kind of joke that you shouldn’t open a project like this with your biggest event of the year,” said Jim Nolan, Chief Operating Officer of Kraft Sports + Entertainment.
But that’s precisely what they plan to do.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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