Kidding, of course. It was found here, thanks to the link from RapidsFan.com http://www.stadia.tv/archive/user/news_article.tpl?id=20040423165940 That roof has a little bit of a BayArena feel. I like it.
Well they said it would have a European feel to it and that does. How does everyone feel about the grassy knolls on each side? I'd rather have a stadium with 20K that completely surrounds the field like Loftus Road
I agree with Mellon002. I don't like the grassy uphills behind the goals. That would be ridiculous to add that. Hopefully, the only conclusion for such an idea means that the planners are not anticipating crowds large enough to build goal-end seats at this moment, but in due time, their leaving the possibility of adding seats behind the goals if there is a large attendance on average. And I too wish that our soccer stadiums conform to English European-style stadia. It allows for every seat to be closer to the action and thus a greater atmostphere.
First, kudos to 10 Fan for finding that. Second, I guess the criticisms are valid enough - but grasy knolls are cheaper to build than the overhangs. Plus, the stadium can be eventually expanded. Third, where are the chattering masses of Rapids fans on this?
There's huge differences between stadiums in Europe and stadiums in the US. Many European stadiums would not evern come close to our current fire codes. Sure, both can have seats close to the field, but fans in US expect to be able to get up even in the middle of the game to go to the bathroom or get a beer. (Getting a beer in the middle of the game is only a fanatsy to UK fans.) This necessitates wider aisles with access to wide concourses containing numerous bathrooms and concession stands. Concessions revenue is much more important in the US than many other places. Also, nobody would build a stadium in the US without at least a hundred corporate boxes. And let's not even get into the importance of having close paid parking. I supported getting rid of the 3 + 1 substitution rule and overtime but I draw the line at going backwards in stadium design.
The grassy knolls at the goal ends are fine unless there's going to be a high demand for season tickets. What are the plans for capacity anyway?
The Burn's stadium in Frisco was originally designed with a grassy berm behind one of the goals, it was later replaced with a permanent stage for the hosting of concerts. The stage concept was also adopted by the Metrostars in their initial design. I would be shocked if that same feature isn't eventually added to this design as well. A big source of revenue that makes the financing work on these SSS are events outside of MLS home matches. Concerts are a part of that.
Different people are desinging this stadium. Not the same group that has done AEG stadiums so the design should be different and therefore I doubt a stage will be opened. Plus, I don't think Kroenke's group has any stage acts, it's all sports teams. 20K I'm pretty sure.
Actually, the endline seats at the HDC are really cool, and I don't even have to sell my T.V. to get one.
Credit to Rapidsfan.com for putting up the link. I know it's a very preliminary sketch, but does anyone know what the black, net-like think is in front of the near goal?
I just spent about 15 minutes with Corel trying to blow up the picture and get a bit mre detail and the whole thing seems to have intentionally poor resolution. It looks like the entrance to the stadium is facing us, with the white things being walkways. The web thing might just be banners or some sort of architectural statement. The left stand of the stadium has an upper level and the right is only one level. My guess is that the only similarities between this and the final design is the grass field.
Maybe I'm biased, but I think anyone claiming these are poor views is being a might too fussy. http://www.parkerpenchallengecup.co...jpg/0,11410,4763-0-34294-0-custom88969,00.jpg http://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/galleries/images/4007.jpg
You'd have a point if you were talking about packed, gangway-free terraces of yesteryear, but none of those exist any more. It's no more difficult to get out of your seat and buy a beer during a game in England than it is to do in the US. Some stands (especially QPR's Loftus Road, as mentioned above) do have a lack of room on their concourses, but that was just poor planning or a lack of money (or space in QPR's case) rather than and inherent factor of 'european' style stadium design. Bring the stands close to the pitch doesn't necessitate having a lack of councourse space, nor does it preclude the provision of stadium parking. I don't see how it would prevent the addition of corporate boxes either. So as there's nothing about that type of design that prevents large concourses, bathrooms, easy access to concessions booths, parking or corporate boxes, which part of that design exactly do you regard as a step backward?
At first, I thought it was just a net, like some stadiums have behind the goals, but it doesn't look like there is one on the other end. Perhaps someone spilled something on the drawing before it was scanned?
I can't agree with this. I got to attend two games at Loftus Road the last time I was Eng-er-land, and the space between the seating rows was really bad. Far worse than any professional sporting venue I've been to in the U.S. And I'm only 5'10" tall, so it's not like I am expecting much. The concourse was small too, but that's a separate, and IMO, much less important problem.
Firstly, I suspect you are actually describing viewing a football match, which has goallines and sidelines, rather than a soccer match, which has endlines and touchlines. Surely, you know the difference. Secondly, many soccer afficianados prefer endline seats which allow a better perspective of the runs both on and off the ball, a goalkeepers view of the action, etc. Whereas, touchline seating tends to focus attention on the ball only. Different strokes for different folks!
Obviously, the 'grassy knolls' put all the seats between the endlines = a better view + more $$$. That also leave room for future expansion. The Home Depot Center is pretty spacious- too spacious for some here on bigsoccer. Personally, I like the fact that there is plenty of room to move around. It's nice to walk out into the concessions area/concourse and not feel like a herd of cattle. I compare iT to going to the Rose Bowl or COliseum here in LA where a large crowd make that concourse seem like a mosh pit..... Another new stadium is a GOOD THING!!!