If we’ve learned anything from Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten and Senior Vice President of Planning and Development Janet Marie Smith it is that it’s never wise to doubt them when it comes to renovations at Dodger Stadium – not ever.

When you consider what Dodger Stadium looked like a mere two weeks before opening day last year with a complete rebuild of the Dodgers and visitors clubhouses and the addition of kids play areas and a boat load of new concession stands and teams stores, and the fact that they were all finished by opening day, you begin to realize the magic that this duo is capable of pulling off.

…and they’re at it again.

When the Dodgers released an artist rendering of the proposed stadium renovations on January 7, 2014, it appeared to be yet another monumental task, especially when you realize that the Dodgers 2014 home opener is scheduled for Friday, April 5, 2014 – exactly 67 days from today.

This artist rendering shows what the entrances to the Left Field Level and Left Field Pavilion will look like on opening day. (Image courtesy of DodgerInsider.com – Click on image to enlarge)

And then when you look at where the actual construction is at right now just outside of the Left and Right Field Level and Pavilion entrances, you immediately say to yourself “No way.” In fact, if you didn’t know Stan Kasten or Janet Marie Smith, you’d probably be willing to bet that the construction will not be finished in time.

With the home opener exactly 67 days from today…

…it’s almost impossible to believe that construction will be finished in time.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka –  Photos taken on January 25, 2014)

As with any major construction, the most difficult and time-consuming task is grading the area before any construction can begin – not to mention temporarily removing obstacles such as ‘The Three Sisters’ – Dodger Stadium’s famous palm tress that have stood behind the Dodgers bullpen for decades. But Smith assures Dodger fans that the stadium’s trademark(s) will be returned to their original location once construction is finished.

“The Three Sisters have been moved before and successfully returned to their roost, so we are making plans for that once again,” Smith said. “It just seemed wise to move these trees out of harm’s way. They’ll literally come popping up out of the bullpen overlook in their original location,” she added.

The Three Sisters.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

So, will the construction be done by opening day?

Some may think not, but my money is on Kasten and Smith.