A Jaguars spokesperson said that site preparation work "for a 5,500-seat amphitheater next to EverBank Field could begin as early as April," according to Neal Bennett of Jacksonville-based FIRST COAST NEWS. The RFP deadline for the amphitheater and adjacent indoor "Flex Field" project "is the end of March with a decision on which firm to oversee the project expected in early April." The Jaguars will "use the flex field as an indoor practice facility." Both facilities are part of a $90M deal the team "reached with the city of Jacksonville." The city is paying $45M of the cost "of the two facilities and the team will pay for the rest." The team also "began a major overhaul of the club areas of Everbank Field in January." That project is "expected top be complete in time for football season this fall" (FIRST COAST NEWS, 3/18). In Jacksonville, Alexa Epitropoulos notes the Jaguars believe the amphitheater is "vital for the team's survival." Team President Mark Lamping said that he "sees the future of Jaguars games being less of a Sunday event and more of a weekend-long event." The progress of the sports complex will "go hand-in-hand with other area developments." There also are plans by other developers to "reactivate vacant buildings" down the road from the stadium. Lamping said that the new facility will "have the ability to bring in 20 to 35 major events per year, and 20 to 40 smaller events" (JACKSONVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 3/18 issue).
