by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Workers began unloading the additional bleachers at Alltel Stadium this week for the Florida/Georgia game Nov. 1.
According to SMG, which manages the stadium, it will take a couple of weeks to assemble the extra 5,500 seats for the annual college showdown.
The extra seats are required as part of the City’s contract for hosting the game.
Referencing the recently unveiled Terrace Suite, Bud Zone and upper patio deck, SMG general manager Bob Downey said “This is the first time we’ve done this since all of the work was completed in the South end zone. We always try to get started as early as possible but we actually have a little extra time this year, which is a nice.”
Downey said the additional bleachers — about 3,000 more than in recent years — will provide more than enough seating needed to reach the 82,000-seat requirement for the game. Normally, Alltel Stadium seats about 76,000.
“The configurement is a little different this time but we’ll definitely have enough seating,” he said.
Downey said the bleachers will likely be assembled on the field and lifted by crane to the appropriate areas.
“About two-thirds of the bleachers will be set up in the upper patio before the [Jacksonville Jaguars/Tennessee Titans] game on Oct. 26,” said Downey. “We’ll work very quickly to finish the rest before Florida/Georgia.”
Downey said the extra seating will not be used for the Titans game and would not impact the South end zone activities.