GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Workers are laying turf and installing seats at Amway Stadium in Grand Rapids, where construction remains on track for a March opening.

The stadium along US-131 near Pearl Street will seat around 8,500 people and serve as the home of Athletic Club Grand Rapids, West Michigan’s new MLS NEXT Pro team.

As winter looms, crews are aiming to wrap up exterior work — like landscaping, the seats and the pitch — before the snow begins. On average, 80 to 100 workers are on site each day.

“Being that we’re looking at a March opening, we have a unique schedule,” Shane Napper, president and CEO of construction firm Rockford, said. “The unique schedule is we’ve got to get the pitch in this fall, get the plantings in this fall, get the pavers and the concrete in this fall so we’ll be ready for an early spring season.”

As of Friday, the majority of the artificial turf had been laid. The rest is expected to go down in the next two or three weeks. After that, a rubber-sand mixture will be laid to provide cushioning.

“You get to see the pitch, but there’s so much that happens underneath. For our team to be able to get to this point of, like, yep, we got all the underground done, all the utilities done, everything ready to go and then eventually get to put the turf on is a big sense of relief,” Napper told News 8. “And really a milestone for the team that kind of really boosts up that last few months as we get ready for opening.”

About half of the stadium’s seats — which are made by West Michigan’s Irwin Seating — have already been installed. They fill the stadium’s eastern section, which also includes team locker rooms.

In the coming weeks, seats will be installed on the stadium’s western side. That section also features 16 lower suites, four upper suites, press areas, concessions and a restaurant in the middle. The restaurant will have a flexible glass wall, which can open or close on game days depending on the weather.

Once winter hits, workers will focus on interior renovations, like building out suites and concession areas.

“We are in a beautiful October day, but eventually, you know, in the state of Michigan, we’re going to get some snow,” Napper said.

He said the $175 million project remains on budget and on track to open before the March 19 home opener. The goal is to wrap up general construction in February so that operations can get ready for the March game.

At some point, workers will install goal posts so that Amway Stadium can also accommodate American football games, according to a Rockford spokesperson.

Carol Van Andel, who co-chairs economic development organization Grand Action 2.0, told News 8 it’s “phenomenal” to see the stadium taking shape.

“You know, when we first sat down and we were envisioning the stadium, our family expressed how we wanted an iconic look,” she said. “It’s one thing to say you want an iconic look and you give your ideas, but then to see it materialize … it’s phenomenal.”

She sees Amway Stadium as a piece of “the fabric (of) the culture of West Michigan to make it a great place for families to live.” Project leaders say it will make a big difference for local restaurants and hotels, especially on the West Side.

“It’s just going to mean another shot in the arm,” Napper said. “Not only is it bringing all the people, but people get here early, people stay late … and not only does it draw city of Grand Rapids, Kent County, West Michigan, but people that love this game are going to come from all over.”