With the 2019 PAC-12 football season underway, Arizona State University commemorates the end of a five-year endeavor to bring new life and energy to Sun Devil Stadium, through a comprehensive renovation and expansion designed by Gould Evans in partnership with HNTB Corporation.
Since 2014, the multi-phased renovation has been choreographed between football seasons as not to displace the team and focused on a vision of upgrading the total attendee experience. This is accomplished through a new concourse, elevated seating, updated restrooms, enhanced club-level suites, improved concessions, expanded student sections and the largest video board in the PAC-12.
“ASU right-sized the seating capacity by improving the overall amenities offered throughout the stadium,” said David White, HNTB. “It’s more about creating a better experience than getting as many people as you can into the stadium – quality of spaces and seats over quantity.” Support spaces were moved to provide greater visibility and improved sightlines for spectators and televisions were added so that fans can enjoy the game while moving about the stadium.
“It has been an incredible experience working with ASU on the reinvention of Sun Devil Stadium,” said Krista Shepherd, Principal at Gould Evans. “Its location, utilizing the desert buttes as a saddle for the football stadium, although challenging, is truly one of a kind. The design team worked with ASU to open up the stadium – strengthening its connection to this beautiful desert site and providing an experience that is universally welcoming and accessible to fans of all ages, and sustainable in its design, construction and operation.”
ASU has also implemented a program at the stadium – the first of its kind – to allow for stadium activity year-round, instead of just eight home games per year. The ASU 365 Community Union is a multi-faceted vision that will use the stadium for a host of different engagements all year, creating a dynamic community hub for service, leadership and connection. The stadium now celebrates a longstanding tradition of sportsmanship, with even more opportunity to connect with the community at-large.
The new Student Athlete Facility (SAF) added to the north-end of the stadium provides a home for the football program, recruitment and future generations of student athletes. The new SAF includes a new weight room, an upgraded football locker room, barber shop, player lounge, physical therapy space, meeting rooms, auditoriums and new staff offices as well as a training table space for all student athletes.
The stadium is now proudly ADA compliant, with upgrades made for universal access and walkability to and throughout the stadium. Upgraded stairs blend seamlessly into the two buttes, which reinforce the stadiums placement in Tempe. With the addition of elevators throughout the facility, the stadium is accessible to all fans.
“The plan to renovate Sun Devil Stadium gives ASU an opportunity to increase our investment in the community and to set the standard for collegiate athletics facilities.” Michael Crow, ASU president. For more information, please visit Sun Devil Athletics at http://www.thesundevils.com.
