The two swimming pools in the north end zone at EverBank Field "have been the subject of much mocking in national media outlets," but at the Jaguars' Sept. 21 home-opener against the Colts, the pools' "mostly young, mostly fit and mostly photogenic occupants seemed to be having the last laugh," according to Matt Soergel of the FLORIDA TIMES-UNION. The pool and cabana area is now called the Clevelander Deck as part of the team's partnership with the "venerable Miami Beach hotel." The Clevelander for each game "will fly up about 12 to 15 people -- dancers, bartenders, waitresses and others -- from South Florida." They "supplement local hires -- about 20 so far -- in an effort to bring a South Beach vibe to that part of EverBank Field." That vibe "is heavy on sex appeal." But not all Jaguars fans have been "impressed" by the Clevelander Deck thus far. One middle-aged female fan asked, "Are we at a strip bar?" But Jaguars Senior VP/Communications Dan Edwards said, "We’re trying to appeal to a broad spectrum of fans, not just hard-core football fans." He added that the Clevelander Deck "has had good reviews from fans, and both the cabana and terrace areas are just about sold out for the season" (JACKSONVILLE.com, 9/3).
STAYING CONNECTED: In Jacksonville, Drew Dixon noted internet connection "is now a growing service and amenity" at Jaguars games. There "were about 14,000 Wi-Fi connections at EverBank Field" during the team's season-opener, which "drew 60,602 people to the stadium." Edwards said that "as many as 8,000 people" were using the stadium's free Wi-Fi at one time (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 9/4).
