Five weeks before the Dolphins' first home preseason game, Sun Life Stadium "still looks like a full-blown construction site," but team President & CEO Tom Garfinkel "is confident that the hard deadline for the stadium to be usable, Aug. 29, will be met," according to Adam Beasley of the MIAMI HERALD. As Phase 1 of the two-year renovation project winds down, the Dolphins "are candid that Sun Life Stadium will not be a finished product during the exhibition season." Garfinkel said, "As we get to the first regular-season game, we’ll be 100 percent, ready to go.” Beasley notes the essentials "will be in place" for the two preseason games at the stadium. All the seats "will be in" and the bathrooms "will be open." The previously existing concession stands "will be available," and the grass "will be ready." The audio and video components "will be fully functional." But some of the high-end frills "might not be available until the unofficial relaunch, which comes in Week 3 of the regular season." Some of the new food options "might not go live until September." Plenty of work on the new bars and clubs, which will "have the glossy feel of the Soho House, remain." The floors "might still be a bit of an eyesore; those are the last upgrades to go in." There could still be "a few loose ends" when the Univ. of Miami opens its season Sept. 5 against Bethune-Cookman Univ. The Dolphins "promised a new seating bowl, upgraded concourses and unique luxury seating options" for the '15 regular season, and Garfinkel "is confident the team will deliver on schedule." After the coming season, Phase 2 of the privately funded project "will begin." That is when the shade canopy "goes up and the scoreboards are replaced" (MIAMI HERALD, 7/24).
SCHEIN-ING A LIGHT: In Cleveland, Kevin Kleps reported the Browns are "nearing the goal line" in their two-year, $125M renovation of FirstEnergy Stadium, and team President Alec Scheiner "believes the 16-year-old facility is now 'on par with the newest stadiums in the NFL.'" Scheiner said the project -- $95M of which was financed by the Browns -- is “on time” and “on budget.” The second phase of the renovations included "the addition of graphics and aesthetic improvements throughout the stadium, plus the modernization of clubs, suites and premium areas." The Browns also "added to the local food offerings at FirstEnergy Stadium, along with the general-concession menus." One of the "most interesting new additions is Club 46 -- a space for a limited number of season-ticket holders that gives fans in the suite a view of the players and coaches as they exit and enter the locker room." The club "is named after the 1946 team, which won the first of the Browns’ seven championships in a 10-year span under legendary coach Paul Brown" (CRAINSCLEVELAND.com, 7/23).
