(Above is a visual concept of what the new video boards at Lambeau Field would look like.)
The Green Bay Packers on Tuesday presented plans to the Green Bay/Brown County Professional Football Stadium District Board for new Lambeau Field scoreboards and a sound system, an upgrade that will greatly enhance the fan experience. Plans call for the new systems to be in place for the 2011 season.
The presentation was part of a request the team is making for funding from the stadium district's capital improvement fund. The total cost of the project, which has not been finalized, is expected to be in the range of $13-14 million, with the team to cover the amount above what is allocated from the capital improvement fund.
"We appreciated the opportunity to share our plans with the stadium district board," said Jason Wied, Packers vice president of administration/general counsel. "We've had a very positive relationship with the stadium board since the redeveloped stadium opened in 2003, and we have worked together to maintain Lambeau Field as one of the best facilities in the country.
"The new scoreboards, along with the improved sound system, will greatly enhance the gameday experience for our fans and keep Lambeau Field at the forefront in professional sports."
Lambeau Field's current video boards and sound system, in place since the 2003 redevelopment, have become outdated with recent advancements in stadium technology. More than 20 NFL venues have upgraded their scoreboard technology in the last five years, with bigger, brighter and clearer, higher-resolution displays that have greatly improved the view for fans in their seats. The size of Lambeau Field's video boards, in terms of square footage, now ranks in the bottom quarter of NFL venues.
Plans call for the current audio system, a single-point source system in the north end zone which uses one set of speakers to direct sound to all fans, to be replaced with a new distributed audio system, which uses a system of speakers throughout the bowl to place the source closer to fans and ensure better control and sound. Most NFL venues use a distributed audio system.
Pending approval of the stadium board, final designs of the systems are to be completed in the coming weeks and construction is to commence early in 2011. Completion of the project is expected by August 2011 in time for Packers Family Night.
