Barbour, Barron To Discuss Facilities Master Plan On WPSU

Penn State athletic director Sandy Barbour will accompany President Barron on WPSU-TV’s “Higher Education In Focus” and WPSU-FM on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. to discuss the university’s time frame and thought process regarding its athletics facilities master plan.

The plan, which was announced back in October, will essentially examine the school’s athletic facilities from the top down while evaluating cost options that come with suggested “needs” and “wants.”

The plan will compile both current and long-term issues as well as potential upgrades for the school’s facilities. Barbour elaborated on the plan during a set of town-hall style meetings with students, alumni, and the general public.

The university is teaming up with architecture and sport event planning firm Populous as it begins preliminary stages of the plan. Populous representative Scott Radecic, who is a senior principal at the firm, will join Barbour and Barron on-air to discuss the plan’s direction.

“This facilities master plan will be critical in conjunction with our strategic plan as we develop our road map for the short and long term future,” Barbour said during the plan’s unveiling. “This study will encompass all our venues and spaces and be vital in helping us determine our options in creating the best conditions for success for our student-athletes, enhance the fan experience, and add value for our passionate alumni and fans while maximizing the potential of all our facilities.”

The goal of the segment is to create transparency regarding Barbour’s plan, and it should provide additional clarity in conjunction with November’s town-hall meetings.