As renovations to Tiger Stadium and the PMAC continue to progress, both athletic facilities are showing visible signs of improvement.
Although the West Upper Deck of Tiger Stadium will not be replaced entirely until after the 2004 football season, construction on different parts of the old structure is continuing until the just before the opening game against Oregon State.
One new addition to the upper deck is four elevators that will run for every home game, said Ralph Stogner, Tiger Athletic Foundation project manager for facilities and construction.
For the 2004 football season, workers are building four temporary elevators with the permanent ones coming for the 2005 season. The elevators have a 30 person capacity and the permanent shafts may be up to 72 feet tall.
Stogner said the new elevators will help with disability access to Tiger Stadium.
Right now there only is one elevator that goes to the Stadium Club in the West Upper Deck, Stogner said.
The PMAC also is undergoing renovations to improve disability access.
“We are trying to improve access for wheelchairs in the PMAC so those with disabilities can reach all levels and not just the floor level,” Stogner said.
Future plans also have new, more accessible entrances and possibly an elevator, but the plans have not been completed.
Also new in the PMAC are four quadrants on the upper concourse, each decorated in different themes — Midway of Memories, Hero’s Hall, Walk of Champions and Pete Maravich Pass — said Herb Vincent, the associate athletic director for external affairs.
“We began to add photos and display exhibits that reflect the names of each of the areas,” Vincent said. “The Pete Maravich area is to pay him the proper respect he has never really received.”
They started working on the project last fall, but installation began in early March.
“We have some more exhibits coming next week and there are plans for four plasma screens to go in each exhibit area,” Vincent said.
Workers are adding advertising signs to different areas in the PMAC to help pay for the project.
The ongoing replacement of the PMAC roof should be completed next month, Vincent said.
“There also are plans in the future to continue renovation to restrooms, seating and the overall look of the inside,” Vincent said.