Fisher Field, built in 1926, was oversized and tired. It lacked spectator and press amenities and was constructed prior to any accessibility concerns. Sightlines from the lower seats were poor and a deteriorating six-lane competition track kept spectators far from the playing field. The latest in a serious of upgrades to the venue, this renovation — including improvements to Fisher Field, the refurbishment of the historic Fisher Stadium, new visitors’ grandstands and the Bourger Varsity Football House end-zone building — corrected these shortcomings.
A new upper concourse was created at the top of the existing stands, affording unparalleled views to the playing field below and the valley beyond. An open loggia/arcade, complete with new concessions stands and restrooms, was created on the upper concourse with the press and VIP facilities above.
The competition track and Lafayette’s track and field program, precluded from expansion at that location, was moved to the college’s Metzgar Campus and enhanced. This enabled the lower seats of the existing grandstand to be removed and the field to be shifted closer. The visitor’s grandstand location could then be expanded and also benefit from close proximity to the field. A three-lane jogging track was added to the field perimeter that permits service vehicle access on game days and is a well-used amenity for the campus and adjacent Kirby Sports Center. The track relocation also opened up space at either end of the field to create a landscaped plaza at the Kirby Sports Center and a new end-zone building on the opposite side of the field. That new facility, the Bourger Varsity Football House, contains offices and meeting space, lockers, laundry, equipment storage, sports medicine/rehab and strength training suites.