New Parkway Entrance to Rose Bowl Planned

The Pasadena City Council on Monday will hear a proposal to amend the Rose Bowl Operating Company’s Major Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget for 2017 so it could include funding for improvements in the Parkway Entrance to the Rose Bowl.

RBOC wants to appropriate an additional $370,000 for the CIP for FY 2017. $120,000 will be used for Parkway Entrance improvements, and an additional $250,000 will be used for improvement of the 1922 locker rooms in the stadium.

Darryl Dunn, RBOC General Manager, says the inclusion of the two projects will not have a fiscal impact on the stadium.

“All fulfillment costs for this project will be funded in full by third party, Legacy Connections, for its construction,” Dunn said in an Agenda Report for the City Council.

Legacy Connections is a non-profit fundraising organization committed to preserving the history of the Rose Bowl stadium and ensuring its viability for years to come. In 2010, the City Council and RBOC approved an amendment to the Rose Bowl Operating Agreement which allowed RBOC, through Legacy Connections, to raise funds for specific stadium naming rights.

Dunn said Legacy shall also be responsible for raising funds for any fulfillment costs associated with naming opportunities at the stadium and identified improvements, although an advance of the costs may be necessary to complete the projects on time.

Legacy is now in the final stages of the development of the Parkway Entrance which will include a donor name as part of this key part of the entrance to the stadium.

The Parkway Entrance project is located at the southern end of the landscaped median at the corner of Seco Street and Arroyo Blvd. The project will provide a new entrance sign that says “Rose Bowl Drive” set on an Arroyo stone base. Landscaping in the area will be upgraded to provide a more formal setting and sense of entry to the Rose Bowl property.

Dunn said in his report that Legacy has received the $120,000 fund for the project. The estimated construction costs include a 10 percent contingency. If all goes well, construction could be completed before the first UCLA game on September 10.

The 1922 Locker Room project is located inside of the fence line on the northeast area of the concourse, accessed from inside Tunnel 7 A. This project will allow the 1922 space to be highlighted as an important history of the Stadium’s heritage.

Additionally, renovation of the 1922 locker room will be upgraded to create a multi-faceted, functional space which will allow for an improved official Stadium Tour, another private event space, a potential pre-game hospitality space to support and grow the Stadium’s efforts, and a showcase for potential future Legacy fundraising efforts.

Dunn said Legacy Connections has currently collected the needed $250,000 funds to cover the fulfillment costs. Work on this could be completed in the first quarter of 2017.