Packers celebrate completed expansion project

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers have cut the ribbon on the team’s $146 million renovation and expansion project.

The team celebrated the completion of the new south end zone that includes 7,000 additional seats, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday. Other improvements include the ShopKo gate, new video boards, sound system, suites, viewing platforms and 30 new concession stands.

Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy along with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker spoke at the ceremony. New season ticket holders were also invited to the event.

“At a time when the economy was not strong, we started this project,” said Murphy. “2,000 jobs over the almost two years of the project construction. And the vast majority, 92% of that went to Wisconsin companies.”

Those with seats in the new section were able to locate and try them out while Packers highlights played on the video boards.

The expansion vaults Lambeau Field into third place among NFL stadiums when it comes to capacity. FedEx Field in Washington, D.C., and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey are now the only larger venues.

The new south end zone is projected to generate an annual $12 million economic impact, the equivalent of an extra home game each season.

Around 3,800 names were knocked off the Packers season ticket waiting list after the stadium’s first major expansion since 2003. Filling the new seats will be a combination of new season ticket holders and previous ones who wanted to change locations into the new area.

The renovation project began in 2011.