Rose Bowl stadium upgrades will be on display during Jan. 1 game

The Rose Bowl game is 100 years old, but the stadium –- or at least part of it –- is new.

The city of Pasadena has invested more than $140 million to modernize the iconic Rose Bowl stadium. During the last two years, the stadium has been upgraded with a new video board, restorations to the south and east scoreboards, 10 LED panels and clocks, new aisles and handrails, expanded tunnels, improved bathrooms and a new broadcast building. The electrical and plumbing systems have also been upgraded, as have the locker rooms.

The centerpiece of the renovation is the 54-suite Terry Donahue Pavilion, which includes 48 loge boxes, 1,200 club seats, a state-of-the-art press box and a broadcast center.

Spectators who attended UCLA games this season are familiar with many of the improvements, but this is the first time the upgrades will be on display nationally as part of the Rose Bowl and BCS National Championship games.

“This stadium was built to house the Rose Bowl game, and there’s no better way to pay tribute to the history and tradition of our stadium than by showcasing the improvements for the 100th game,” Rose Bowl General Manager Darryl Dunn said.

The renovation is 80% complete, with the final phase to focus on the “front door” of the stadium, which features a Brick Donor Plaza, a renovated Court of Champions, and the reestablishment of the original field hedges. There are additional plans to upgrade concession stands and provide more space on the stadium concourse.

The Brick Campaign continues through 2014. Interested donors can purchase bricks by visiting www.rosebowlbricks.com or calling (855) 767-3295.

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