Gillette Stadium Alterations Approved by Selectmen

Three new renovations are coming to Gillette Stadium in an effort to keep the home of the Patriots and Revolution up to date.

Citing a need to improve the stadium experience and add event space, Gillette Stadium Senior Vice President of Finance, Administration and Operations Jim Nolan discussed the changes with the selectmen last week as part of a request to alter the stadium’s premise under their liquor license.

The request was approved by the selectmen 5-0.

The changes include a new pavilion in the area near the Bank of America entrance, a new lounge area in the south end zone, and an area in the concourse for fantasy football statistics.

The most notable of the changes will be the Optum Field Lounge behind the south end zone. Over 1,500 seats were removed from the end zone to make way for the lounge according to media reports late last year, making selectman Ginny Coppola question the potential of lost revenue.

Nolan said the lost revenue would be made up in meals tax revenue from events held in the lounge and pavillion during the year. Lost revenue would primarily come from Patriots game as the seats were not used for concerts and were rarely sold for soccer events.

Town Manager Bill Keegan called the changes an evolution of the stadium.

“What they’re trying to do is change the dynamic of the stadium. As a town, we have to think about that because the more successful they are, the more successful we are,” Keegan said.

Whether events in the new spaces will include ticketed events in addition to private events is unknown.