Game on for San Jose Earthquakes’ stadium project… again

The Major League Soccer San Jose Earthquakes’ oft-delayed stadium project reached a key milestone this week after the team recently announced a one-year delay on the project.

The Quakes began pouring the concrete foundation for the new stadium on Friday, representing a symbolic moment for both the team and the project. Take a look at their stadium webcam or check out a construction site video on the team’s blog.

This is a positive step for the team, but this project reminds me of a memorable scene from Wayne’s World.

 

San Jose Earthquakes stadium delayed until 2015

The Major League Soccer San Jose Earthquakes suffered another setback today with their new stadium construction that will push back the opening one year.

The Earthquakes had hoped to move to their new 18,000-seat stadium for the 2014 season. As I’ve written before, the Earthquakes’ snakebitten construction project hit delays in July when workers uncovered large concrete bunkers during demolition. Now the team has cited unexpected complexities in connecting the stadium to San Jose’s sewer system.  This team cannot catch a break.

I expect the Quakes will continue to play in their current home, Buck Shaw Stadium, as they await progress on their stadium. Not great news for a team that continues to slip down the table in the Western Conference. Happy Friday the 13th Earthquakes fans.

MLS San Jose Earthquakes’ stadium delayed

The Major League Soccer team announced a delay to their new stadium that will force them to find a different home for at least the first half of the 2014 MLS season. Used munitions, steel beams, concrete pilings and ten-foot deep concrete vaults at the site caused excavation difficulties for construction crews.  Bummer.

I wrote in June about the Earthquakes’ promising new stadium and the road traveled before breaking ground late last year. It’s another speed bump for the team’s stadium quest, but the good news for Earthquakes fans – the delay appears to be temporary.

That’s a lot of concrete.

Stadium Crawl Weekend Reading

Some of America’s most renown sports franchises announced stadium and arena news this week. Here are a few stories of my own and links to others. Now grab a cold one, put your feet up and enjoy.

AT&T New Official Sponsor of Cowboys Stadium – ESPN 
The Dallas Cowboys and AT&T announced a multiyear deal to rename Cowboys Stadium, AT&T Stadium, effectively immediately.

Madison Square Garden Needs to Move – Stadium Crawl
The iconic Manhattan arena, home to the Rangers and Knicks, has a decade to find a new location.  Tick Tock.

Bankruptcy won’t halt new NHL Detroit Red Wings Arena – CNN Money
Although the City hit a rough patch, plans are moving ahead for a $444 million hockey arena for their beloved Red Wings.

MLS DC United Stadium receives mayor’s backing – Stadium Crawl
The MLS DC United unveiled renderings of their new stadium this week.  The good news – the mayor and City Council support it.

Wrigley Field $500 million renovation includes Jumbotron – USA Today
New construction at the 99-year young beauty will improve the clubhouses, training facilities and install a 5,700-square feet Jumbotron.   I’m all for modernization, but a Jumbotron, at Wrigley?  Really!

MLS DC United takes big step toward new stadium

After a decade-long search, the light at the end of the tunnel may finally be a new stadium for Major League Soccer’s DC United.  According to the Washington Post, team executives, Washington DC mayor Vincent Gray and district officials today approved a preliminary $300 million deal to construct a new 20,000 seat stadium for the team near Nationals Park (home of the Washington Nationals).DC United has played in RFK Stadium since entering the league in 1996. Built in the golden age of multi-purpose stadiums, RFK is ancient by MLS standards. Well aware of RFK’s deficiencies, and with pressure mounting from the MLS who now require teams entering the league to play in modern, soccer-only stadiums, United’s situation was approaching desperate.  Today’s stadium news, however, has given United much greater hope for the team’s future.

Rendering of new proposed MLS DC United stadium.

The renderings of the new stadium portray a state-of-the-art stadium rivaling the league’s best.  As always with these stadium proposals though, politicians will have their say and hoops will need to be jumped through. This is Washington DC after all.

I’ve always gotten a chuckle watching televised United games at RFK where fans pack together at midfield and use the rickety stands to bounce and chant in unison. Now United fans may get the last laugh in a brand new stadium.