Stadium Construction Update

Panthers director of stadium operations Scott Paul updates Phase One renovations at Bank of America Stadium: "We're at about 70,000 man hours on the project as of today. We're working approximately 200 people every day during the week and about half that on weekends."

Workers use scaffolding to get in position to hang ribbon boards on the 300 and 500 levels.

"We had about 20 percent of the 300 level ribbon boards up (a month ago)," Paul said. "We're at about 70 percent now - so making good progress - and we've also started on the 500 level ribbon boards."

Another view of the ribbon board work.

"We've finished the demolition work on the East and West scoreboards, and now we're increasing the size of the structure," Paul said. "We're about 60 percent done on the East side (seen here) and about 45 percent on the West side."

"A month ago, we were just coming out of the ground here," Paul said, pointing out the progress made on the South escalator bay, the furthest along of the four under construction.

"We've poured the floor for the 300 level (at the South gate) and have started to stand the columns up to the 500 level," Paul said. "We've also poured one of the East escalator bays."

Parts of the escalators sit on the 100 level, ready for installation. "We have the majority of the escalators on site now," Paul said.

Ron Smith of McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture was along for the tour. "Having two movement systems - the escaltors and the ramps - we'll be able to move a lot of people," Smith said. "It will be less crowded and a more convininent experience."

Smith said that at capacity, the four escalators will be capable of transporting 36,000 people in one hour.

Construction materials dot the stadium.

Signs of spring have sprung up amid the construction. "Snow and rain and freezing has had an impact," Paul said, "but Turner (Construction) has built that into their schedule."

Phase One remains on target to be completed by July 1.