ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Construction of the steel infrastructure at the new Orlando City Soccer stadium in Parramore has started, moving the facility one step closer to completion.
Steel beams were hoisted into place along the north wall of the stadium. It’s just the beginning of the 460,000 tons of steel that will become Orlando City’s new home.
The 25,500-capacity stadium is expected to be complete in 2017. Officials hope to have it open in time for Orlando City’s first game of the season in March 2017.
It will be located about two blocks from the Amway Center.
Local workers have been given the majority of construction contracts, Orlando City President Phil Rawlins said.
So far, about 70 percent of the contracts have gone to local companies and workers. Rawlins expects 500 workers, mostly local, to be working at the site by summer.
“We’re very, very proud of the contribution we’re making to the Parramore community, and working closely with Commissioner Hill to make sure this is a big, big, big success,” said Rawlins.
Commissioner Regina Hill said a Parramore Advisory Board has been meeting for almost a year with Orlando City Soccer Club officials and residents to get input on the visuals honoring that partnerships.
“Things inside the stadium to memorialize the people of Parramore. It states that this is our stadium also,” said Hill.
The stadium will also include a Parramore heritage display to honor the community in which it is being built.
The team said it’s sold 48,000 tickets for the home opener on Sunday in an effort to fill the Citrus Bowl again.
Cox Media Group
