Proposed Expansion of FIU Stadium
By: Igor Mello/ Asst. Sports Director
The north side bleachers of FIU Stadium will be bulldozed following the Shula Bowl against cross-town rival FAU and construction will begin in January.
An agreement between University President Mark Rosenberg, Executive Director of Sports and Entertainment Pete Garcia and five other members was reached on Aug. 31 to resume construction of the stadium.
“This is the next phase in building Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium into one of the top facilities in college football,” Garcia said. “We want to give FIU football the best possible chance to compete with the top teams in the nation and the completion of this phase just furthers our commitment to the program.”
The $6 million privately-funded project will increase seating capacity from 20,000 to nearly 25,000, closing the stadium, which is currently three-fourths finished. The north side of the stadium will match the existing south side of the lower bowl.
The restoration of the north side will include a second press box and additional luxury and presidential boxes. Athletic department offices will also be located in the expanded side of the stadium. The department is currently located inside the U.S. Century Bank Arena.
“Everything is just continually going forward a hundred miles per hour. It’s a very strong statement of our administration,” said Head Coach Mario Cristobal. “It’s something that everyone is extremely fired up about and something that signifies continuous progress by our program.”
Football will not be the only sport benefiting from the expansions.
With the stadium completed, the new seating will not only give a closer view of the field, but it will be able to accommodate FIFA soccer standards.
The school has already played host to two CONCACAF Gold Cup events in 2009 and in 2011 and has aspirations of hosting more FIFA soccer events in the future.
The long-term goal will be to increase the stadium capacity to hold 40,000-45,000 seats once the fourth and final phase kicks in. The fourth phase will include a second tier of seats on the north side of the stadium. The date for the construction of upper deck is still yet to be determined.
According to public documents, the lower bowl of the stadium is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2012 football home opener in September.
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