Tampa Bay officials are making plans on how to best use $10.4 million in federal funding to upgrade safety measures at Raymond James Stadium — the site of this year’s Super Bowl.
The Tampa Bay Times reported Tuesday that the funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act have been approved for upgrades protecting against the spread of COVID-19. The Hillsborough County Commission will vote Wednesday on the specific improvements.
According to the Times, hand-sanitizing stations, removable seat bottoms, touch-free toilets and sinks, a parking lot public address system and a larger press box are among the 40-plus modifications. The goal is to have the stadium ready for the public by Oct. 31 — if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and University of South Florida football teams are able to host fans in a state that has seen a recent surge in COVID-19 cases.
The first phase of the health improvements focus on getting fans safely into the stadium. The plan is to use a public address system to tell fans in parking lots when and how to proceed into the stadium, while fans will have their temperatures checked at the gate, and touchscreen ticket scanners will reduce the number of staff and increase safety at entry.
The next regular-season game in the stadium is scheduled to be Sept. 12 between USF and Bethune Cookman. The Super Bowl is scheduled for Feb. 7.
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