Carter-Finley Upgrades Planned

Jonas Pope IV and Luke DeCock of the News and Observer reported yesterday that NC State is planning to upgrade Carter-Finley to the tune of about $700k.

The upgrades will include:

1. The conversion of parking at the northeast corner of the stadium into a concourse expansion that will host food-trucks and beer vending stands; and
2. The removal of 1,700 seats in the form of metal bleachers in the north end zone and the conversion of that area into a “loge and suite seating section” that will include carpeting, tents and tables.

Oddly enough, the funding for these upgrades will come from the naming rights for PNC Arena. So in a sense, State is using something men’s basketball-related to help upgrade the football fan experience. Definitely in favor of that.

I’m a big fan of both of these proposed upgrades. In theory, I would think that the first upgrade is an effort to improve the concession offerings at Carter-Finley, but may also be a first step in finally ending pass-outs. Pass-outs have long been a controversial topic as many that use them at the end of the 1st half are not back inside Carter-Finley for the 2nd half kick-off at the start of the 3rd quarter. The end result is that it makes the fan support at the stadium look far less impressive than it was at the start of the 1st half both in person and on TV.

The second upgrade is one that I’m glad to see they plan to put in place as well. Those bleachers in the north end zone have never looked great in my opinion, and this would give Carter-Finley what is really only its second “premium seating option” after the Vaughn Towers suites and boxes.

I am also hoping this means something similar could be the first steps in eventual Doak Field upgrades. My fingers have been crossed since 2005 waiting for some Doak upgrades like this.

No news yet on if the Wi-Fi in Carter-Finley will ever resemble something that should exist in 2021, but I guess beggars can’t be choosers.