Orange Bowl Field's uses will range from youth and high school football and track competitions to community enjoyment for walking, running and jogging along the track, according to Miller Project Executive David Jones.
The Orange Bowl Committee has spearheaded creation of the project to commemorate its 75th anniversary and as a “thank you” to the community for the support given to the Orange Bowl Festival and game from its inception. The Orange Bowl Committee has committed $3.1 million for the Moore Park project, with additional funding provided by the City of Miami and other private donors.
Miller's construction project includes building “home” and “away” locker rooms, public restrooms, concession stands, second-floor press box and coaches" booths, and installing bleacher seating for 1500 spectators.
Orange Bowl Field at Moore Park has special significance as the site of a 1933 game that was the precursor of the annual Orange Bowl. In that historic match, underdog University of Miami beat Manhattan College 7-0. Two years later, the Orange Bowl Committee was formed and soon launched its tradition of supporting Miami's youth.
“Community athletes will have a chance to compete on the same type of surfaces as the pros,” said Jones. Miller will install a synthetic turf field and upgrade the track with a synthetic rubberized coating, as well as adding new sports lighting and electronic scoreboard.
Completion is set for January 2011. Miller previously built the Orange Bowl Committee's award-winning headquarters in Miami Lakes.