Renovations would include upgrades to bathrooms, concessions and adding permanent seatingGETTY IMAGES
Central Florida leaders recommended spending another $60M on "new upgrades" to Camping World Stadium, just four years after a $207M renovation of the venue, according to a front-page piece by Stephen Hudak of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan said of the proposed upgrades, "We want to remain competitive." Hogan showed the Orange County Tourist Development Council "ritzy, new athletic venues" in Atlanta, L.A. and Las Vegas which "could bid for events Camping World Stadium has won." Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said, "Absolutely we can claim to be the top sports-entertainment destination in the country." Hudak noted the Council on Friday "unanimously recommended the stadium-improvement plan, but Orange County commissioners will have the final say next month." The money for the proposed upgrades "would come from the county's tourist development tax, also known as the hotel tax" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 9/22). In Orlando, Lara Greenberg reported the renovation plan "includes upgrades to bathrooms and concessions, adding permanent seating, connecting various stadium sections, expanding certain areas to improve flow around the stadium and increasing views from any part of the stadium" (FOX35ORLANDO.com, 9/21). Hogan said that construction "could begin as soon as next year" and be completed by '20 (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/21).
