Plans call for a series of "Spanish steps" resembling those in Trafalgar Square in London and ticket booths in several spots. The stairs, to be built on the stadium's northwest corner, are meant to be a natural meeting place, Fitz-Gerald said.

The stadium will also have a club on its second level with the feel of an indoor/outdoor restaurant; various rooms for media; and suites with massive windows overlooking the valley and offering views of the Oquirrh mountain range. The walls of the rooms were recently being nailed up and wired for electricity and the mountain view was visible through spaces between steel girders.

Construction crews also have been busy placing catwalks on top of the stadium, with lights powerful enough to accommodate television needs.

For outdoor concerts and other events, a removable stage will be constructed on the south end of the stadium and additional seats will be set up on the field. The stadium then will be able to accommodate 24,000 people.

RSL and Sandy have started negotiations with local entities such as the Jordan School District concerning stadium use, Fitz-Gerald said. High school soccer, outdoor hockey and football games may be played there, and schools could use the space for graduation ceremonies. Whether the school district will be charged for such events has not yet been decided, Fitz-Gerald said.

"I think it will bring a lot of great events to the community and the community will adopt it," said Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan.

Building inspectors from the city as well as independent inspectors hired by general contractor Layton-Turner Construction have been on site every day, along with between 250 and 350 hard-hat-wearing concrete, electrical, welding, painting and masonry workers, said construction manager Elliott Veazey. The project may use up to 400 workers daily at its peak.

Funding and sales

Project financing for the new stadium is right on schedule, said RSL vice president of business operations John Kimball.

Only six of 32 suites are still available for purchase, at prices between $25,000 and $65,000. The suites can be customized and are contracted for three to five years. Buyers also have started to gobble up season tickets for about one-third of the 1,000 most highly sought seats, called club seats. Those tickets sell for $1,250 to $7,500.

Pricing for regular season tickets for the stadium has not yet been released.

Naming rights have not yet been sold, but RSL has made offers to a handful of potential buyers. The naming rights are expected to sell for $1.5 million to $2 million, Fitz-Gerald said.