Arena makes mark on city skyline.

Byline: By DEAN VALLER [e-mail]

THE Sky Blues' dream has become a concrete reality.

These exclusive pictures show how the pounds 113 million "field of dreams" is shaping up into a stunning 21st century stadium.

All terracing has been installed at the Jaguar Arena and about 200 seats have been fixed.

The final roofing sections will be in place early in the New Year.

Adrian Bywaters, project engineer for construction firm Laing O'Rourke, said the steel skeleton of the stadium should be finished by Christmas.

And Mr Bywaters said work on the pitch will begin in January, with turf- laying in April.

He said: "It looks good now that the stadium is enclosed and the whole structure is starting to take shape."

More than 300 builders are working on the site, and that number is due to rise to up to 600 next year.

The site will also boast:

an 8,000-seater concert venue which will double up as exhibition halls,

a 20,000 sq ft health and fitness complex,

a 1,000-seater banqueting hall, business centre, offices, accommodation and community facilities.

The stadium is to be completed ready for the start of the 2005/2006 season in August. The casino, which will be below the exhibition halls, and run by operator Isle of Capri, is due to be completed about six months later.

CAPTION(S):

D23223_7. D23223_1. D23223_4. SKY BLUEPRINT: Work progresses on the new arena (main picture), James Parkinson at the main entrance (above), an artist's impression of the finished project (top) and a workman looks out over the stadium as construction work proceeds (above, right); D23223_3. D23223_6. D23223_5. D23223_11. BUILDING A DREAM: Traffic on the new A444 (above left), the stadium roof takes shape (above), the Evening Telegraph stand (far left) and a workman fits the seats (left) Pictures: WILL BINNS