Monday, February 09, 2015

50 Years Ago This Week

From today’s Green Bay Press-Gazette: “Feb. 12, 1965 — “The Packers have invested in more new seats, and “little Green Bay” now boasts a City Stadium that will seat 50,500 — enough room for almost two-thirds of the population of 81,000. In addition, two one-story wings will be added to the Administration Building fronting the stadium at 1265 Highland (now Lombardi) Ave., and a 190-foot tunnel will be constructed from the dressing rooms to the gridiron.

“The three-point program was announced by Coach-GM Vince Lombardi following a meeting of the Packer executive committee Thursday when bids were accepted for the project. The capacity of the stadium is being increased by 8,173 — the largest since the stadium was built with 32,150 seats. The capacity was raised by 6,519 to 38,669 in 1961 and by 3,658 bleacher seats to the present 42,327 in 1963. Since the stadium was opened in ’57, the capacity has been increased by 18,500.”