Over two years and almost $295 million later, Lambeau Field is in its final stages of renovation and will be open for business, as scheduled, when the 2003 season begins in August.
"We are nearing completion," said project director Stuart Zadra of Hammes Co., "and with approximately 95% of construction behind us, it's real easy to see the finish line."
According to Zadra, construction costs have dwindled from almost $20 million per month, to just over $5 million, leaving only finish work and touch-ups to take place throughout the next month.
Additions to the stadium's north end, which has been enclosed with club level seating, will increase club seating capacity from 1,920 indoor seats to 3,000 indoor and more than 3,000 outdoor seats. Interior work is in its final stages while the exterior has taken on its gameday appearance.
More restrooms, better food quality and in-seat service are just some of the "remarkable new amenities" available in the new indoor club level, says Zadra. Each level, engulfed by natural light provided by floor to ceiling windows, will be occupied by approximately 1,500 fans and will provide an almost seamless escape from the elements known only to Lambeau Field.
Two times larger than the old video boards, the 47-foot screens on the scoreboards are undergoing their final cleanings, a process that Zadra says could take up to a half-day per scoreboard.
"It's no different than needing to clean your TV at home from time to time," said Zadra, "only these are a little bigger."
Also doubling in size is the Packers Hall of Fame. Designed to tell the story of the Packers from the days of Curly Lambeau and George Calhoun, to the present era of Brett Favre and Mike Sherman, the new Hall will showcase almost twice as much display area.
The new Hall, which will open in August, will use weaving corridors to channel fans through the interactive history book, as opposed to the perimeter displays of the previous home, and will also showcase several interactive exhibits including the introductory theater, which will house an NFL Films documentary about the Green Bay Packers, and the "Ice Bowl Weather Theater".
Fans will also be able to experience one of the team's most prominent modern traditions, the Lambeau Leap, before moving into a mock-up of the Packers' new locker room, which will display the 20 Packers enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Final preparations are also being made inside the new Lambeau Field Atrium. The design on the floor, which emulates the field pattern inside the stadium, is in line with the yard markings on the field and is being covered with it's final coat of finish, while on the outside, workers are busy installing landscaping and irrigation.
Upon completion, Lambeau Field will be transformed from a football stadium - used 10 days a year - into a Packers cultural center, a year-round fan and tourism destination.
