Construction on Sun Life Stadium "began in earnest" yesterday with the removal of seats in the venue's northeast upper deck, according to Adam Beasley of the MIAMI HERALD. However, the renovation "will only take some 19 months until the multi-use complex looks like new." Changes include a "weather canopy and upgrades to suites, premium seating and entertainment space, along with a redesign of the main seating bowl." Additionally, HD scoreboards "will be placed in each corner; each screen will have a 'founding partner' that will generate additional advertisement revenue." The Dolphins also "are adding a permanent stage to the parking lot for smaller-scale concerts" (MIAMI HERALD, 1/6). In West Palm Beach, Andrew Abramson noted overall capacity "will be reduced by nearly 10,000 to about 66,000." Corner seats in the upper deck "will be removed to provide room for columns," some of which will be up for the '15 season. However, the canopy that will "shield fans from rain and reduce sun exposure" will not be ready until '16. The 100-level and upper-deck concourses "will be renovated in time for next season," while the 200-section, club-level suites, new video screens and the canopy "will be completed" in '16 (PALMBEACHPOST.com, 1/5).
