Oregon State University selects Populous and SRG to transform Reser Stadium

Populous, in collaboration with SRG Partnership and design-build partner Hoffman Construction, has released renderings of the Reser Stadium project, a complete rebuild of the west side of the stadium complex on the campus of Oregon State University (OSU). The Reser Stadium project will transform the home of Beaver Nation into a best-in-class football facility with year-round amenities accessible by all students, athletes, faculty and staff.

The Pacific Northwest (PNW) is known for its breathtaking landscapes that invite exploration and discovery. The west side of the stadium will be entirely redesigned to feature a 360-degree concourse, a design influenced by the exploratory nature of the Oregon outdoors that encourages Beaver fans to traverse the new concourse and discover new experiences on the west side of the stadium. The new concourse creates a connection, both in the bowl and on the concourse, helping to unify the fan experience as well as to bring the entire facility together physically. Dubbed “Beaver Street,” the expanded concourse acts as a crossroads, connecting the south concourse and the existing open air north terrace with design details often found in an urban streetscape. The new concourse is a first-of-its-kind in collegiate sports facilities, flipping the traditional design of a football concourse and essentially turning it inside out with all amenities arranged so fans have an open-air direct view of the field.

Along Beaver Street, fans will feel the vibrancy and richness of human interaction through thoughtful design touches meant to encourage exploration and mingling, including soft seating areas, high top tables, drink rails and other various non-ticketed seating options. Protection from the PNW rain has been designed into the concourse while still honoring the open air intent. Concession areas were completely reimagined to have more of a storefront appearance, evoking feelings of being on an urban streetscape while also paying homage to the food hall culture popular throughout the PNW. Traditional walkup stands have been replaced with fast-casual dining and self-service grab-and-go stores.  Food and beverage offerings have been overhauled to more closely reflect the OSU fanbase through familiar local restaurants and regional fare.

While Beaver Street is available to all fans, and runs the entire length of the west sideline, the design includes premium seating options to get Beaver fans as close to the field as possible. Season ticket holders can take advantage of 1,600 chairback seats that place them less than 80 feet from the field, arguably the closest seating field proximity of any collegiate stadium. The premium seating deck itself is only 100 feet away from the sideline and is an industry-exclusive design solution for fitting multiple types of premium seating – loge boxes, living room boxes, club seats and Founders Suite seats – into one seating deck. All premium seating areas are covered and protected from the elements, with the two distinct club spaces and central Founders Suite featuring open views to the interior seating bowl.

The lower level of the west side deck will house the new OSU Student Experience Center and serve as the first point-of-contact for prospective/visiting students and their families. The Center is vertically connected to the stadium’s club spaces, allowing the club to function as a true multi-purpose event space for OSU and the greater Corvallis community.

Further enhancements to the gameday experience include new locker room facilities for visiting teams and a new press box structure that modernizes in-game and broadcast services.

Contributing to OSU’s goal of Reser Stadium providing year-round programs, an approximately 35,000 square-foot Wellness Clinic addition is located on the southeast corner of the stadium at a prominent connection point to campus. The new four-story facility will provide whole-student care, including primary care, counseling, x-ray and laboratory services. OSU is currently considering leasing a portion of the building to a community health partner who would offer primary care and urgent care services to faculty, staff, and the broader Corvallis community.

Visit Completing Reser Stadium to follow the progress and receive project updates. Reser Stadium is the latest Populous-designed collegiate expansion project. Other recent projects include Mizzou’s South End Zone Facility, as well as The University of Texas South End Zone project and Ken Garff Performance Zone at Rice-Eccles Stadium for the University of Utah, which are both set to open this fall. To learn more about Populous’ collegiate work, visit our website.