SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that due to continuing complications at the club’s new stadium construction site, the venue will now open for the 2015 Major League Soccer season. All 2014 regular season games are currently scheduled for Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara.
“We are continuing to work hard to deliver the best stadium possible for our fans,” said Earthquakes President Dave Kaval. “However, due to significant complications at the stadium site, we do not feel certain that we could open the stadium for the 2014 season. Without the certainty that we can open next year, we felt that the best decision would be to move the opening to the start of 2015. We are obviously disappointed, but we are more committed than ever to build a first-class venue that we know our fans deserve.”
Current season ticket holders have received information from the Earthquakes’ Front Office detailing all their options for the 2014 season and the new stadium. For more information about season tickets, please contact the Earthquakes’ Front Office at 408-556-7700.
The full scope of the site-related work could only be determined when the work was fully underway, and the site-related work has continued to take longer than expected. Beyond the complications announced in July, there have been additional complexities in connecting the stadium to the city sewer system, and the high water table has slowed the site utility phase.
“Projects of this size and scope often encounter delays, especially with the amount of demolition and site preparation we had to do. What is most important is that we build a great stadium that will stand the test of time for our fans and this community,” Kaval elaborated.
Despite the complications at the site, progress has been made on the project. Demolition and grading are now complete and the site utilities have been installed. Additionally, the footings are currently being placed. The next steps in the process will be the pouring of the foundations for both the stadium and team building, followed by the steel erection. The steel has been ordered through Schuff Steel and is currently being fabricated in Stockton. The team office building is scheduled to be erected in November, followed by the stadium bowl in late December.
The Earthquakes’ new 18,000-seat stadium will be located on Coleman Ave next to San Jose International Airport. The stadium was designed by renowned stadium architecture firm 360 Architecture - designers of Safeco Field and MetLife Stadium. The stadium will feature a European-style roof design that was inspired by many stadia in Europe, including Craven Cottage (Home of Fulham Football Club) and Loftus Road (Home of Queens Park Rangers).
World-class amenities at the stadium include:
· Double sided video display, along with full LED Fascia around the entire seating bowl.
· Twelve field-side luxury suites.
· On field patio clubs with 576 seats, built in bars and couch seating with great views of the field.
· The largest outdoor bar in North America.
· A three-acre Fan Zone area.
· Two party decks in the upper corners of the stadium.
· The first all-standing supporters terrace in the United States.
Fans can visit sjearthquakes.com to watch daily progress on the stadium web cam or check out the stadium with the new stadium 3D seat viewer.
