Franklin Field construction to end

Renovations on the stadium to be complete by the fall After more than 16 years of construction on Franklin Field, renovations to the historic stadium are near an end. The projected completion date is September 1, according to Physical Plant project manager Bob McKain. He added that the renovations are on schedule and on budget. The rehabilitation of Franklin Field began in 1980 with the addition of several expansion joints to the structure. As originally built, the stadium had only two expansion joints, which could not support the shifting of the building, McKain said. "The stadium was tearing itself apart," he added. Following the addition of the expansion joints, repairs were made to the structure's steelwork, and the upper grandstand walkway was replaced. Workers then renovated the grandstands, replacing the wooden benches with new aluminum seating. Physical Plant is currently finishing the renovation of the lower north grandstands. "That will complete the structural rehabilitation of Franklin Field," McKain said. The plumbing work will be finished once workers can turn off the water flow to the stadium when it is not in use, he added. Other improvements to the stadium include the creation of a handicapped platform with specially designed seating, a new roof for the press box, a fresh coat of paint on the stadium's outside walls and new entrance gates. "I think it looks great," Athletic Director Steve Bilsky said. "I think they've done a super job on the facility and people who have walked in there really are impressed by how good it looks." But there was one major problem during the construction. While renovating the lower east grandstands, workers found the concrete in such poor shape that it blew out when they sprayed it with high-pressure water, causing gaping holes to appear. "That's the only major glitch we've had," McKain said. Despite having to work around athletic events and football seasons for over a decade, renovations to Franklin Field -- the nation's oldest college football stadium still standing -- are about to come to fruition. "We have to stop every three months or so because of needing the facility," Bilsky said. "We had to stop for the football season, and then we got back to working on it again. "We'll have to stop it for the Penn Relays, and then we'll stop for football in the fall," he added. "But we'll finish it up right after that."

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