Portions of the old bleachers at Richardson Stadium have been removed and portable bleachers will be installed this summer as Queen’s prepares for the upcoming football season and two Homecoming weekends.

“The project is going well, and we expect to have all of the bleachers delivered and installed by mid-August,” says Ann Browne, Associate Vice-Principal, Facilities. “We have been working with Athletics and Recreation to determine the best placement of the bleachers so fans can cheer on the Gaels this fall.”

The upper bleachers on the east side of the stadium have been removed, and workers have completed a base for the portable bleachers. Those bleachers are scheduled to begin arriving in late July.

An engineering report received recently by Queen’s recommended that the upper east and west bleachers at the stadium be removed. The remainder of the seats, and the field itself, have been approved for use.

During the past decade, upgrading both indoor and outdoor athletics facilities has been a priority for the university. A number of major renovations and initiatives have taken place including the construction of the Athletic and Recreation Centre, the opening of Nixon Field in 2012, and upgrades to Tindall Field and the West Campus Fields.

The university’s ultimate goal is to revitalize its playing fields and Richardson Stadium to be among the highest quality university facilities in Canada to inspire the community, support student health and wellness, showcase Queen’s athletic successes, and to recruit, train and challenge scholar-athletes.

The Gaels’ first home game takes place Monday September 2 when they take on the McMaster Marauders.