wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
14 years ago
Lambeau Field expansion plan leaps ahead 

A top Green Bay Packers official said Friday the team hopes to begin construction on an expansion of the south end-zone area at historic Lambeau Field after next year's Super Bowl in February.

Jason Wied, the team's general counsel and vice president of administration, said consultants believe the franchise can add as many as 7,500 seats in the south end-zone area, which was left open when the team finished its $295 million Lambeau Field makeover in 2003.

Capacity at Lambeau Field is 73,128.

"We would love to get it started next February. I would expect it would take a couple of seasons to do it," Wied said. "We obviously want to play through construction. That makes it a little harder to accelerate it."

Wied also disclosed that the team would finance the construction - a cost estimate was not released - on its own. There will be no public tax financing of the project, he said.

"We haven't buttoned down all of the financing. But we intend to do it on our own," Wied said.

The Packers financed the last stadium makeover through a combination of a 0.5% Brown County sales tax, a user fee on seat-holders, a National Football League loan and a stock sale.

While the Packers have not arrived at a financing plan, imposition of a user fee would seem likely because other season-seat holders paid the user fee during the last construction project. A stock sale, last held in 1997-'98, would be problematic because it would have to overcome regulatory hurdles as well as approval from NFL owners.

"There are multiple options for financing," Wied said.

Green ticket holders paid $1,400 per seat the last time around; Gold seat holders paid $600 per seat.

Despite the ongoing NFL lockout, which threatens the 2011 season, the Packers clearly feel now is the right time to move on expansion. Armed with a worldwide fan base, the Packers sell out every home game and have a season-ticket waiting list in the tens of thousands.

And they are the defending Super Bowl champions.

"This is about the long-term viability of the stadium," Wied said.

Wied said current season-ticket holders, as well as those on the waiting list, received surveys this week asking for input on the best seating configurations.

Wied said one idea being discussed internally is giving existing seat holders the option of moving to the new seating in the south end-zone area and giving incoming seat holders the opportunity to purchase seats in the current bowl.

"This would be an opportunity to potentially jockey some people around in the stadium if that's what they want," Wied said. "People have been buying seats for a long time. It seems right they would get the first option to get a shot at the new section."



This is most of the story. the rest is a rehash of the survey sent out last week.

I like that they are not using public money to fund this.

None of the stories I have read explain why they didn't add the seats to the stadium when they did the last expansion.

If they make the south end zone seats higher than other sections and then put the scoreboard on top of it, it will be awkward having to look up there to watch the replays.

I have to laugh when they describe the "wall of fans" White Sox fans scream and yell that the rows are too steep in the upper deck. They feel cheated by the design of the stadium. They just understand there are only 2 options- low relatively flat rows that leave you further from the action or high, steep seats that bring you closer to the field.
UserPostedImage
Cheesey
14 years ago
I wish they would have put in real SEATS at Lambeau when they redid it.
The bleacher seats SUCK.
Especially in winter, when everyone is bundled up. There's no room to even SIT decently. They don't give you enough room at all.
UserPostedImage
Pack93z
14 years ago


Especially in winter, when everyone is bundled up. There's no room to even SIT decently. They don't give you enough room at all.

"Cheesey" wrote:



IMO.. that is one of the charms of Lambeau.. something fitting about the bleachers and that stadium.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
gbguy20
14 years ago

I wish they would have put in real SEATS at Lambeau when they redid it.
The bleacher seats SUCK.
Especially in winter, when everyone is bundled up. There's no room to even SIT decently. They don't give you enough room at all.

"Cheesey" wrote:




I have no qualms about the bench seats. I suppose I've never had to sit out there during winter games though. I can see how it would be much more cramped then.
BAD EMAIL because the address couldn ot be found, or is unable to receive mail.
Yerko
14 years ago
Being a bigger guy, I actually enjoyed Lambeau when everyone was bundled up for the winter game. It was just a different experience from your usual professional game.

I was having a convo with a friend from Wisconsin this past weekend about this expansion and the first thing she said was taxes being boosted again. I will gladly pass this news along to her.
UserPostedImage
GermanGilbert
14 years ago



I have no qualms about the bench seats. I suppose I've never had to sit out there during winter games though. I can see how it would be much more cramped then.

"gbguy20" wrote:



i love those bench seats, as pack93z said, that's the charm of lambeau field. modern arenas with those plastic seats grow like weed over here and i visited a ton of them. no way you have more space sitting in those undersized seats than on the bench at lambeau field.
blank
doddpower
14 years ago



I have no qualms about the bench seats. I suppose I've never had to sit out there during winter games though. I can see how it would be much more cramped then.

"GermanGilbert" wrote:



i love those bench seats, as pack93z said, that's the charm of lambeau field. modern arenas with those plastic seats grow like weed over here and i visited a ton of them. no way you have more space sitting in those undersized seats than on the bench at lambeau field.

"gbguy20" wrote:



Well, there's not debating the marked seats at Lambeau offer VERY little room. I once sat on the end and literally had about 3 inches of seat space. Even when I sit in the middle sometimes my ass has to squeeze a little bit to fit in, and I'm not a huge guy. Although, renting/bringing the stadium seats pretty much fixes the problem.

It does certainly give Lambeau a unique feel, and it looks really cool as well. Absolutely packed and nothing but a sea of people.
14 years ago
The problem I have is the overhangs. I've been to stadiums that have them and you cannot see punts and field goal attempts when the ball gets high.

Also those overhanging decks leak and there is always run off onto the people below who get drenched with more than their fair share of precipitation, soft drinks, beer and more disgusting things that runoff.

The nice bowl of Lambeau now is getting a partial upper deck. How long until there is an upper deck all around wrecking the Lambeau experience??
blank
nyrpack
14 years ago
pack them in !!
jimmy b.
Users browsing this topic
Fan Shout
Zero2Cool (8h) : Both LB Quay Walker and Rookie DB Micah Robinson have passed their physicals
Zero2Cool (8h) : Happy to see site feels more snappy snappy
Zero2Cool (8h) : No sir. I did not.
dfosterf (9h) : You didn't get free childcare when you were at work?
wpr (9h) : These guys make hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Pay for their own childcare.
dfosterf (10h) : 2nd issue. Number 1 issue was no gameday childcare. 1 of 3 teams not providing it
Zero2Cool (10h) : Suppose if locker room is main issue, we sitting pretty
wpr (11h) : I thought so Mucky. In those useless player polls GB always rates high overall. Locker is a part of it.
Mucky Tundra (11h) : Wasn't the locker room just updated like 6 or 7 years ago?
Zero2Cool (12h) : I have forum updated on different site. We'll see how this one goes before going to that
Zero2Cool (12h) : Elgton Jenkins has a back injury, is expect to end contract dispute
wpr (15h) : It's funny the PA complained about the locker room. It wasn't that long ago it was top shelf. Things change in a hurry.
wpr (15h) : The site is much more better.
Zero2Cool (15h) : NFLPA report said Packers lockerroom needed upgrade. Whining bout where you change?
Zero2Cool (15h) : I saw that and thought it was kind of lame.
dfosterf (15h) : Packers new locker room is pretty awesome. Great for morale, imo
Zero2Cool (15h) : Shuffled things on the web server. Hope it makes it faster.
Zero2Cool (16h) : Other times, it's turtle ass
Zero2Cool (16h) : Sometimes it's snappy, like now.
beast (17h) : I feel like it's loading at the top of the next minute, or something like that.
beast (17h) : Also the thanks/heart takes FOREVER to load, and posting in the shout box takes three times FOREVER!
beast (17h) : Thanks for saying something, I thought it was slow, but assumed it was on my end
beast (17h) : Thanks for saying something, I thought it was slow, but assumed it was on my end
Zero2Cool (17h) : Yeah, I noticed that too. Is it slow for PackerPeople.com too?
wpr (17h) : I don't know what you IT guys call it but the page loading is very slow for me today.
Zero2Cool (18h) : SSL might be settled now.
Zero2Cool (23-Jul) : Still working through SSL cert issues
wpr (23-Jul) : Glad to be back
Zero2Cool (23-Jul) : I think PH original finally working.
dfosterf (22-Jul) : Can tell you are having a fun day Kev
Zero2Cool (22-Jul) : Yep, I had to manually move them. It'll fix itself after more posts.
Mucky Tundra (22-Jul) : Same deal with the songs/videos thread, says you replied last but when I go there it's what I posted earlier is last
Zero2Cool (22-Jul) : I had to manually move three posts.
Mucky Tundra (22-Jul) : But when I go it, Martha's is the last reply
Mucky Tundra (22-Jul) : Still a little screwy; it shows on the main forum that you were the last person to reply to the Jenkins trade thread
Zero2Cool (22-Jul) : Host issues, been crazy day
Mucky Tundra (22-Jul) : Connect 4?
Zero2Cool (22-Jul) : Connecting to new database
Zero2Cool (22-Jul) : What the hell
beast (22-Jul) : Packershome going to the Whiteout unis again
Zero2Cool (21-Jul) : Oh wait, they got Cam Ward. 1st overall right? haha oops
Zero2Cool (21-Jul) : They could send Packers a 1st for a QB they are familiar with
Zero2Cool (21-Jul) : Titans QB Will Levis to have season-ending shoulder surgery
Zero2Cool (19-Jul) : Their season did kind of start there, so 🤷
dfosterf (19-Jul) : Eagles put an engraved Brazil flag on their super bowl rings
Zero2Cool (18-Jul) : Benton unsigned no more
Zero2Cool (17-Jul) : That's good analysis, yes you are getting old. It'd a blessing!
dfosterf (14-Jul) : *analysis* gettin' old
dfosterf (14-Jul) : One of the best analyisis I"ve ever watched at this time of an offseason
dfosterf (14-Jul) : Andy Herman interviewed Warren Sharp on his Pack a day podcast
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2025 Packers Schedule
Sunday, Sep 7 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Thursday, Sep 11 @ 7:15 PM
COMMANDERS
Sunday, Sep 21 @ 12:00 PM
Browns
Sunday, Sep 28 @ 7:20 PM
Cowboys
Sunday, Oct 12 @ 3:25 PM
BENGALS
Sunday, Oct 19 @ 3:25 PM
Cardinals
Sunday, Oct 26 @ 7:20 PM
Steelers
Sunday, Nov 2 @ 12:00 PM
PANTHERS
Monday, Nov 10 @ 7:15 PM
EAGLES
Sunday, Nov 16 @ 12:00 PM
Giants
Sunday, Nov 23 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Thursday, Nov 27 @ 12:00 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 7 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Dec 14 @ 3:25 PM
Broncos
Friday, Dec 19 @ 11:00 PM
Bears
Friday, Dec 26 @ 11:00 PM
RAVENS
Saturday, Jan 3 @ 11:00 PM
Vikings
Recent Topics
1h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

2h / Around The NFL / Mucky Tundra

3h / Around The NFL / Mucky Tundra

6h / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

7h / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

7h / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

17h / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

23-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

22-Jul / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

22-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

22-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

20-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

20-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

18-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

15-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.