So, I'm more of a spontaneous 'hey I'm drunk, let's go stand and cheer with the supporters' type of fan. Will security be anal about letting people down there if they don't have tickets for that section? Also, I liked having supporters in section 100 because it created about a two section barrier between them and the dippin dots crowd that is so pervasive throughout the rest of the stadium. So, even if I didn't want to stand and cheer the whole game (i.e. not drunk enough), I could still sit in a section where I could yell at the ref and Leo Krupnik without getting weird looks.
The way I'm reading it is that you gotta have a ticket. I wonder if it's worthwhile for the supporters groups to ask the Rapids if we can create a membership card, or something that would allow us to enter the section provided there's capacity. You need to factor in the strike/lockout.
I did drive out and take pics through the fence about 9 days ago. Have posted these and others on the Facebook page I put out there to get people psyched about the terraces and share ideas on how to make it rock. Page is called "North Terrace Independent", look it up and become a fan and I'll keep posting any and all Terrace/Supporters info I come across or can procure. More pics are available there. Here is link to page: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4005631&id=303221636159&ref=mf#!/pages/North-Terrace-Independent-Colorado-Rapids-supporters-info/303221636159 As you can see, they are testing out the riser plan, which is what we are going to be standing on. Yup, it is going to be risers, with tables in back, tents around with concessions and such so I hear.
WOW. I mean...WOW. That is a lot cooler than I envisioned it. It's almost like a all encompassing "party patio". With a grassy knoll to boot. It's a lot bigger than I imagined and I bet you could fit 250-400 people. I dig it. I think the FO did a good job with this one and props to them for giving us a really cool little area. I sit with Class VI in 108 but I'm definitely coming down to be loud. Spend at least one entire game on The Steps of Victory (there's gotta be some cool name for them, right?) and be able to wave my flags more than a couple times a game will be awesome. The Sounders charity match will be a fun test of the new Steps. Great pictures and thanks for posting them! Fun teaser.
They had said it will hold up to 1,000 though I hear that they are going to start off with more like 400-500 so as to keep the people that are there tightly in there together. As demand grows and more tickets are sold, the plan is that they make it so the section can be expanded fairly easily by adding more risers and such. I am going to try and get down there this weekend and sneak a few more shots to see what they are playing with now.
As most of you know our group will be located on the newly created Terraces at the North End of the Rapids Ground. This means we will literally be standing about eight feet behind the net on field level. There will be three tiers, the first is concrete at ground level, the second is a 6" riser, and the third is a 16" riser. There will also be multiple cabaret tables to sit and have a bite, when your not rabidly cheering the Rapids on to victory. There will also be a full bar dedicated to the Terrace, that serves food as well. As the players enter and exit the pitch they will literally pass right through the Terrace area, allowing us to give opposing sides peace of mind.
hey guys, here is image of drawing front office did for me the other day. Sorry I posted in 2 locations, but not sure if these posts under Supporters Groups are seen by other people other than SG folks. cheers
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht8zOFkusGE"]YouTube- Football Fans International Supporters United Soccer Futbol News[/ame] Brace youself, Fools! Let's hope the terraces can build into this with a little elbow grease! Also, it's now official and we are getting group members to join the Boulder Republic! These are up in Conor O Neill's in Boulder. The group has a facebook page @ http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v...2096998804015#!/group.php?gid=112096998804015
This out from the FO last night, the Terraces Rules and Regulations (sorry for posting in 2 threads, but want to make sure people who don't go into the "Supporters" section on BigSocc see this as well: =================================== SUPPORTERS TERRACE The new Rapids Supporters Terrace will allow each of the Rapids’ various supporter groups and other passionate Rapids fans a place to call their own in the stadium. Flags, banners, instruments, singing and other passionate support of the team at home games will all be encouraged, making the Supporters Terrace the place to be for Colorado’s most enthusiastic soccer fans. How will it work? The Supporters Terrace will create an environment in which fans can cheer on their Rapids and create a home field advantage all while maintaining a fun and safe environment for fans. The Supporters Terrace is designed for fans 18 years of age or older. Younger fans may enter if they are accompanied by an adult. Although IDs will not be checked, this is intended to be an adult oriented section. Bringing items to the stadium: We have created a four step process so supporters can bring in special cheering items: STEP 1 – Please submit any and all cheering items to your supporter leader. STEP 2 – Your supporter leader will bring all items to the stadium so stadium officials can inspect and approve appropriate signs, banners, and other cheering items. STEP 3 - Approved items will be brought to the Supporters Terrace for fans’ use. STEP 4 – After the game, you may choose to leave your item with your supporter leader so he/she can give them to the Rapids for storage until the next game, or you may take your item home and repeat steps 1-3 in order to have your item back into the stadium. Any items that are brought to the stadium on game day will not be allowed into the stadium. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Games: Saturday/Sunday – Supporter leaders must submit items to the stadium by 8pm on the Friday before the game. Weekday Games – Supporter leaders must submit items to the stadium by 8pm the night before the game. Items Allowed in: · Flag poles made out of ½” PVC pipe measuring no longer then 5’. · Signs, banners, and flags are permitted provided the item falls within the following guidelines: o Item may not obstruct facility signage. o Item may not contain or display any profane, offensive, graphic, obscene language and/or pictures as determined by facility/event management. o Item is not taped, glued, or secured using an adhesive agent of any kind. o The hanging of the banner, flag, or sign does not in any way damage the stadium walls, paint, railings, glass, or any stadium property. o Item may not obstruct the view of other guests or create a safety hazard as determined by facility/event management. o Item may not be constructed of wood, metal, or any other material that may cause harm to others as determined by facility/event management. o Item may not contain commercial or political messages of any kind. o Item may not be used as a projectile. · Streamers/confetti may be thrown in times of celebration of our team’s success such as a goal. A corner kick, throw in, or kick off is not considered a time of celebration. Streamers or confetti thrown at players, referees or any event staff is strictly prohibited and guilty folks will be ejected from the facility. Inappropriate Behavior: • Entering a seating area without the correct ticket. • Drunk and/or disorderly conduct. • Fighting or challenging others to fight. • Interference with the event, or participants of the event in any way. • Throwing, tossing, or discharging any object within the facility. • Disturbing other guests’ enjoyment of the event. • Violating Dick’s Sporting Goods Park rules, regulations, or policies. • Violating any local, state, or federal laws. Please understand that the Colorado Rapids and Dick’s Sporting Goods Park are very serious about enforcing the Fan Code of Conduct. We do not and will not take any violation of the Code of Conduct lightly. Two ejections in any one year will result in a ban from Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and all other Kroenke Sports Venues. [Anyone caught entering the field of play will be ejected, arrested and receive a permanent ban from Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and all other Kroenke Sports Venues]. ===========================================
Seemed to me as though they really underestimated demand. Only the two risers? It looked like a set up for a small church choir. I thought things would have been built up a little bit more than that... Not to mention the cluster******** of getting down there. Is the elevator the ONLY way?
As far as I know there were 2 different stairways. We went down one set and up another, so I dont think its that bad. The problem is there are no signs pointing to the stairs and the people working there had minimal information. As far as the rest of the terraces It sucks that it can be only about 5 people deep. Also the sight lines are too low to see things well at the far side of the field. If the jumbotron was on the other side of the field instead of directly behind us it would be perfect. However it was cool to be so close to the action and also see the players up close as they entered and exited the field. There were also some issues with the 2 sections being seperated. Seemed like one section was much more boisterous, and chants were not effictively coordinated between the 2 sections. Also I just wanted to comment about the coordinated flag display. We were just handed the flags and there was no direction about when to display them. I don't want to sound like a negative nancy. I know how hard you guys have worked to even get to this point. So props to you. Also I had a great time nonetheless.
One of bigsoccer's wild-assed assumptions is that lack of supply will drive-up demand - as opposed to driving up price. With the way the North End is set up that assumption is being tested. If people keep packing it, and if it becomes a hot ticket, they'll find a way to add more.
That was the positive I definitely took from the set up, is that it looked to be extremely flexible and easy to add on to.
Hmmm. Very interesting. I suddenly have a very mild itch to check this out and see if I can make it through a Rapids game without the silence of the park lulling me to sleep. Somewhere I can sit without getting evil glares from everyone around me whenever I express my discontent with the officiating? Could it be? Might poke my head over here sometime in the next few weeks to check out a game. Don't lynch me for being loyal to DC United first, River Plate second, and Rapids a potentially distant third depending on how the atmosphere and fun factor are. I suddenly have a glimmer of hope that the Rapids front office aren't all sticks in the mud hell bent on making matches as sterile as humanly possible just in case Disney decides they want to buy the team.
I'd definitely recommend you give it a shot DrunkCajun. I just moved out here from the Baltimore/DC area myself and wasn't sure about coming to games for the reasons you've described until I saw the terraces were going to be opening up. It was definitely a good time out there.
The Terraces are pimp. They just need to expand them so that they can accomodate more people on the risers. If you've been holding out on a Rapids game b/c the atmosphere is dull or there's no energy, check out The Terraces. They'll only start getting rowdier.
The terraces are great but we need to get a bit more organized with our chants. but when everyone is together it is mental in there
We are working on a bunch of things that should work for sure. We met with the Rapids this week and they are going to help us with some organizational ideas we've had to get a chant captain more visible, get that person much louder, have cues on scoreboards, they are printing song sheets for everyone, cue cards for up front, we are going to organize a drum corp (rather than just anyone playing a drum) and things like that. Many other ideas being worked on (we are going into Altitude studios next week to record chants so maybe they'll play them over loudspeakers, all the SG websites can post them, etc.). The Rapids are really being positive in wanting to help the Terraces rock and to get that place packed. They are work with all us supporters groups to do some really cool things and add to the atmosphere. Believe me, we are just getting started and it is going to get better and better. Just keep coming and bringing your friends. And if you like it, buy season tickets in the Terraces as if we get enough new season tix, they are going to do something SUPER COOL for us all. The league and the Rapids are putting huge emphasis on growing Supporters Group sections. Anyway, there are a ton of things going on. Keep coming and tearing it up!
hey dave. already have the tickets and havent missed a game. the drums iam referring to are the few out of time and the Brazilians. i like the idea of passing out songs but also i don't want our chants to be organized by the rapids. its just too baseball. however that being said i love the fact that they support the supporters.check out the the post that should be showing up soon on the British bulldog site about one of our guys that went to the D.c. game and you will see some of the draw backs of a chant/cheer leader. all i was saying before is that we have a good thing going we just need coordination and hopefully more numbers. whats you opinion on how to put more ppl in the stands? and standard british ideas on chant organization?