Source: The Merc
Friday, June 28, 2013
San Jose Earthquakes' Stadium is Making Progress
With a $1.4 billion stadium rising in Santa Clara, it is easy to forget about the Earthquakes' new stadium. The total cost of this project is going to be $60 million, which is almost a rounding error compared to what the 49ers are spending (they recently announced an extra $75 million on tech upgrades alone). However, having a soccer-specific stadium for the Earthquakes will energize both the team and fans and help take the world's favorite sport to the next level in the Bay Area. Now that ground has been broken and construction is getting into full swing, I think you'll be seeing the Quakes' stadium a lot more in the news. The final product will seat 18,000 people and be home to the largest outdoor bar in North America. Frankly, I can't wait to see how this one turns out.
Source: The Merc
Source: The Merc
It's good news to see construction activity on the site, and I think a dedicated home will be a nice boost for the Earthquakes. But I am really skeptical about the claims by the team that the stadium is going to be ready for the 2014 season. I check the construction webcam often, and there are usually only 2 or 3 pieces of construction equipment working at any one time - sometimes fewer. By comparison, at the Samsung site in North San Jose, there are typically 20+ pieces of heavy equipment working at one time, on a much smaller site.
ReplyDeleteI understand from the article that the construction team has run into unexpected obstacles underground, but if the team was really serious about making the 2014 opening date, they would put more resources on the job.
I went to the Earthquakes game at Stanford Stadium this evening. The atmosphere was great, and the crowd was electric once San Jose scored their second goal to tie the game, and it was just amazing when they scored a minute later to take the lead and shortly after, win the game.
ReplyDeleteI have to think that having 45,000+ people feel the excitement of MLS soccer will be a boost to the Earthquakes stadium ticket sales and overall interest in the team. Go Quakes!
I would be surprised if it finished in 2014 at the current pace it's moving at. I know that's what they're shooting for, I just don't think it's going to be completed by then.
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