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Watch and keep track of FIU's stadium construction through photo albums and a stadium diary. Check back periodically, as the Stadium Construction site will be updated with new photos and news as often as possible so FIU Fans can document and experience the makings of what will be a South Florida landmark.

*Click on the highlighted links to see the pictures. Double click on the pictures to see larger versions of the corresponding image.

Stadium On The Rise (8/7-10/4) Worried that not much was happening with FIU's new stadium? Have no fear, plenty has been happening. It just wasn't very photogenic. The drainage system is in place, and the footers for the foundation were constructed, as you'll see in the pictures. And over this past weekend, the structure of the south side stands were erected, creating a frame that somewhat resembles the old stands --from a distance. Upon closer inspection, which you can only get here at FIUsports.com, you'll see that the frame is much thicker and robust. The stands extend beyond the length of the field. Most importantly, they are much closer than the old stands. Without getting into exact measurements, FIU fans can imagine how close the stands are, using the old track as a reference point. Before: The stands were a couple feet off the outside line. Now: The first row of stands is inside lane 1. The footers are also in place at the east and west ends, waiting for the next frame to be placed, starting the enclosure of the field.

 

Digging In The Dirt (7/16)

Only a solitary light pole remains from the original six that illuminated FIU Stadium, sans light fixtures. Where the south stands once stood is now level, a blank canvas that will soon be marked and etched with the beginnings of FIU's new home. Black silt fencing lines the interior of what was FIU's home track, catching debris from construction before it has a chance to make its way onto the field. Ditches are now being dug into tough rock for the drainage pipe that sits in the northeast corner of the stadium. Once the drainage ditches have been finished, Odebrecht Contstruction, Inc. will begin digging for the sanitary drainage.

 

All Clear (6/20)
FIUSports.com would like to apologize to all who check in on the stadium construction on the web site. There is no anticipation of a draught of construction photos as long as 19 days in the near future. Nevertheless, we digress....While the hiring of new baseball coach Turtle Thomas took the spotlight the last few weeks, construction, rather deconstruction, continued at the old FIU Stadium. The South Stands were ripped from their foundations. The pressbox was torn down and the concrete pillars holding the stands in place were removed. At the moment, piles of dirt and debris remain but will be removed on a daily basis. When this is completed, it will be time to take the lights and the poles they are attached to down. 

 

Tearing Down (5/31-6/1)
Rain didn't halt the process of tearing down the south stands, but did slow it up a bit. Workers continued to breakdown the structure until the rains created unsafe working conditions on the metal. But that didn't stop them from literally breaking ground only a week after the ceremonial groundbreaking (scroll down to see pictures). Concrete was broken up surrounding the palm trees that stand near the south stands. The palm trees will be moved until the new construction is completed, when they will return to their present spots.

 

South Stands Dismantled (5/30)
Large strips of aluminum clanged together to produce warbling echoes while electric drills whizzed and generators chugged away. Some would classify the above as noise. But to an FIU football fan, it’s the sweet sound of progress, and it’s what one would hear if they were at the site of the Golden Panthers’ new stadium on Wednesday. The dismantling of FIU Stadium began at approximately 8 a.m. as a team from Southern Bleacher whittled away at the stands on the south side of the facility. By 5 p.m. the structure was a near skeleton of its former self. Fences were snipped and seats were unbolted as the first physical steps were taken in creating a new home for the Golden Panthers.

 

Stadium Groundbreaking (5/25)
Florida International University and Coral Gables-based Odebrecht Construction, Inc. broke ground on the school’s new on-site football stadium in a  ceremony at the Golden Panthers’ old home, FIU Stadium. Nearly 200 invited guests and media listened to comments from a platform party consisting of Garcia, FIU President Modesto A. Madique, FIU Trustee and Athletic Committee Chairman Al Dotson Sr., head football coach Mario Cristobal and Odebrecht Construction CEO Gilberto Neves, before the group grabbed blue and gold shovels and adorned hard hats for the ceremonial ground breaking.

 

Pre-Construction Album (5/15)
What you'll find in here is the "Before" pictures of what will be the new home for FIU Football. Temporary fencing has been put up to protect the playing surface and around the west parking lot of the stadium. Odebrecht Construction, Inc. has set up shop on site, in the fieldhouse and conducts site tours on a daily basis. Click on the the above link to have an all-around view of the stadium BEFORE construction begins.