Penn Athletics: 33 Sports, 1000 Athletes, and a New 51,200 Square Foot Pavilion

August 26, 2009

It was a summer barbeque to mark a very important occasion: the June 18 groundbreaking for the George A. Weiss Pavilion, a weight training and fitness center that will be built inside the northern arcade of Franklin Field stadium.

Why the buzz?

As Steve Bilsky, Director of Athletics (W'71) puts it: "It's the opening to a whole new part of campus which, fortunately, athletics is going to play a major role in."

It's also a key first step for Penn Connects, Penn's long-term campus development plan. By design, Weiss Pavilion will -- physically, programmatically, and symbolically -- connect Penn's revered stadium westward to the core of campus and eastward to Penn Park.

      > watch video

A New Era for Athletics at Penn

For starters, the Weiss Pavilion's 51,200 square-foot, state-of-the-art facilities will be a magnet for intercollegiate athletes and fitness buffs alike; the migration of Penn students to the eastern side of campus will begin.

And then there's the Pavilion's bold, space-sensitive design. Not only does it preserve the integrity of Franklin Field (a storied, iconic 114-year old structure and the oldest NCAA stadium still used for football), it's also a highly visible (and LEED Silver-Certified) boast for Penn's upcoming high caliber athletics facilities.

      > view renderings

"We're sending a message to athletes, and to the world: Penn is a preeminent institution in every aspect, including athletics," says Campaign Chair George Weiss (W'56). "Everything about this place is first class, from academics to facilities."

Robert Fox, Trustee Emeritus (C'52) agrees: "We're going to have the best athletic facilities of any campus, any place. We've got to make this university a better facility for the great students we're getting here -- and we are getting really outstanding students. The Palestra, Franklin Field, new facilities -- it's going to be spectacular."

A New College Green

Once completed and in use, the Weiss Pavilion will join the adjacent Palestra in looking onto Shoemaker Green, a large public commons of trees and lush grass that will take form when the existing Lott tennis courts are moved to Penn Park. Visitors will have a welcoming space for informal play and leisure, and the familiar athletic and academic precinct on 33rd Street will be infused with new life -- both recreational and social.

"What we're going to see with these exciting spaces is a whole new dimension to athletics and academics," says Weiss. "For many of us, Franklin Field has always been tied to Penn's identity; now it will be even more integral to the Penn experience for the entire community."

A New Year of Making History

Structural steel for the Weiss Pavilion was laid by late July, and following that, an enclosure of glass and curtain wall material. According to construction head Dan Dirscherl, the Pavilion should be fully enclosed no later than the third week of September, and the facility should be finished by March 2010.

Just in time for another barbeque -- or perhaps a few sit-ups!

Check back regularly on pennathletics.com for the latest video updates on the Weiss Pavilion.

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