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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Step inside the US Assure Club to see the results of a $26.6-million makeover of EverBank Field's premium seating and supporting club facilities.
Five months of intense renovations includes new places for fans to see action on the field, or cool off in grand new spaces inside that features TV monitors bigger than compact cars.
Nik Sobic is one of the people in charge of gutting an already nice clubhouse and rebuilding a space that has the feel of a five-star hotel.
"That is actually one of the nicest compliments we've been paid so far, because that's exactly what we are going for the space," Sobic said.
Everything is brand new in the three-story West Club, from furniture to bars to concession stands to air conditioning. There are also 210 televisions, including six 940-square-foot high-resolution displays that are among the biggest indoor monitors in Florida.
"We did a lot of data analysis and research to understand what our fans on the west side of the building wanted," Sobic said. "They want country club; they want high-end; they want really-nice-hotel vibe," Sobic said.
The East Club is also very nice, but distinctly different. It’s geared more toward millennials: the Jaguars’ fastest-growing fan base. The spaces are customizable to cater to special events, as well.
"Anything from a business meeting to a banquet for a wedding reception," Sobic said.
But on on game days, it's all about football. Glass paneled garage doors go up for access to giant patios with seating and spectacular views of the field.
"What better than, instead of sitting in a stadium seat, standing out and enjoying (a) beautiful deck," Sobic said.
Fans with club tickets can take in the action from midfield. If they want to upgrade, they can enjoy the game from a new bar rail.
Comfort is key. All the new club seats are padded and now light gray to keep fans cooler on hot days.
The biggest part of the job had to be completed between the Monster Jam in February and the beginning of August.
"We turned the job around in 130 days," project manager Chris Gregory said. "We pretty much worked every day (since) we started."
Brasfield and Gorrie General Contracting had 1,000 workers put in a total of 30,000 man hours to finish the job on time. Gregory said it all came together without any hiccups.
The had to cut concrete beams, removed about 3,500 tons of concrete to create the new areas. The result is about 2,000 fewer seats in the stadium, but more room for fun in the common areas.
"You can stand up and move around in the clubs. I don't think anybody else offers this in the NFL," Gregory said.
Those behind the renovations say you won’t be disappointed.
"We spent $1 million a week over the last 26 weeks. And we think it is money well spent," Sobic said.