New Orlando Citrus Bowl, home to FHSAA Finals, debuts

ORLANDO — It has been labeled as a renovation, but with over 85 percent of the refurbished Orlando Citrus Bowl being new, it could certainly be argued that the venue itself is new.

New or renovated, whichever you choose to call it, the venue debuted on Wednesday morning as politicians and figures from around Central Florida converged for the ribbon-cutting for the Orlando Citrus Bowl.

The venue is set to host its first event on Saturday, the Florida Blue Florida Classic between Florida A&M University and Bethune-Cookman University and will soon host the 2014 FHSAA Football Finals (Dec. 5-6, 12-13) — an event that could very well have a local presence as both West Orange and Dr. Phillips are alive in the Class 8A State Playoffs.

The new-and-improved Citrus Bowl features wider seats with chair backs in the lower bowl, larger concourses, new video displays — including a main screen that is four stories high — and expanded concession options, among other improvements.

In addition to the Florida Classic and the FHSAA Finals, the venue will host the Russell Athletic Bowl (Dec. 29) and the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl (Jan. 1).

Though Wednesday's event was its official opening, the venue still is under construction as crews hurriedly try to prepare it for Saturday's game and beyond.