With a countdown and a series of quick booms, a piece of Beaver Stadium’s history came down to make way for its future.

A crowd of spectators gathered on a snowy Saturday morning to watch the Beaver Stadium press box, part of which predates the stadium itself, come tumbling to the ground. The structure was felled by the detonation of a series of explosive charges that project executive Scott Mull, of construction manager Barton Mallow, described as “kicking the legs out from under” it.

The spectacle marked the start of large-scale demolition for a major renovation project largely focused on the stadium’s west side over the next two-plus years, with a price tag of up to $700 million.

“It’s all about turning this into the palace you deserve,” radio voice of Penn State football Steve Jones, who emceed the lead-up to the demolition, told the crowd who braved snow squalls and slippery roads to watch from the Stadium West lot. “Not [just] the press box, everything on the west side is going to be done. It’s all being done for all of you and for the football program, because it’s the best program in the country with the best fans, and you deserve the best experience.”

After Jones entertained the crowd with stories of Penn State football history, the countdown began shortly after 8 a.m., with the Nittany Lion having the honors of pressing down the ceremonial detonator.

Following the demolition, fans had the opportunity to take pictures with the Lion and write favorite memories on a bleacher from the stadium’s upper west side.

Items salvaged during construction preparations, such as upper West stadium signage and bleachers, will be available for purchase at a later date.

The Beaver Stadium press box was originally part of New Beaver Field before it was moved, along with the grandstands, and reassembled for the construction of Beaver Stadium after the 1959 season. It was expanded to its final configuration in 1980.

Workers will be on site 24 hours a day for the next six weeks to clear the rubble and prepare the area for construction that will take place before the start of the 2025 season.

Crews have been on hand since Dec. 22, the day after Penn State hosted SMU in the College Football Playoff opening round, to begin preparations for the start of substantial work on the renovation project.

Smaller-scale work, including winterization, new video boards, and some new amenities, took place prior to the start of the 2024 season.

Work in 2025 will include the removal of the press box and upper-level seating to eventually be replaced by a new structure with suites, club seating, and a new press box with broadcast level. Temporary bleachers will be in place for the 2025 season. Lower bowl seating will be removed in 2026, with temporary seating in place, to be replaced with club seating.

Concourses also will be substantially widened, and fencing is being added for new security perimeters that create plazas for new fan experience spaces. The new perimeters expand what is considered a ticketed area outside the stadium structure, as was already implemented on the east side for 2024.

The project also includes a new 21,000-square-foot welcome center on the west side.

Work is expected to be completed in time for the 2027 season.

Penn State’s Board of Trustees approved an initial $70 million for the Beaver Stadium renovation in 2023 and authorized up to $630 million more in May (with two members voting no and three abstaining). Penn State officials said no tuition or tax dollars will be used, and the project will be financed by university-backed debt to be paid by the athletic department, along with donations.