JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Where will the big cats play when TIAA Bank Field is getting renovated? It’s a question that was brought up after Jacksonville Mayor Curry's appearance on 1010XL this week.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have said that they plan to renovate TIAA Bank Field and that will likely involve considerable taxpayer dollars. Design firm, HOK, tells First Coast News it has been selected as the architect for the project.
Curry said that ideally, renovation would take place over two years and only impact two football seasons. During that time the "team will have to play somewhere else."
Curry told 1010XL that the Jaguars team is scouting potential locations in Jacksonville for those home games.
Curry's comments caused a stir among fans.
"Woah wait like calm down for a second before you have all the facts to throw out there so people in our group were getting angry and frustrated," Jaguars fan, Jessie Pawlish, said about Mayor Curry's comments.
It's the first-time details about the future stadium renovation have been mentioned. Including, the possibility of the Jaguars having to play elsewhere during the improvements.
HOK, the consultant for the future renovation, did the Miami Dolphins stadium modernization.
It was done in phases over three seasons. The Dolphins didn't miss a home game.
The Jaguars new practice facility is set to open in July, where they will be able to practice and operate out of while renovations happen at TIAA Bank Field.
The Jacksonville Jaguars say the team will not be commenting on Mayor Curry's comments at this time.
First Coast News reached out to the University of North Florida, Florida State University, and University of Florida amid rumors the team could play games at sites outside Jacksonville.
Steve McClain with the University of Florida's athletic association sent First Coast News the following statement:
"The Jaguars have shared their exciting vision for their stadium renovations with us and also expressed interest in having future conversations about where they would play games during the renovation."
FSU says it has not been contacted in any form regarding Jaguars football games.
First Coast News is waiting to hear back from the University of North Florida.