Dust2
08-13-2009, 08:03 PM
http://www.stadiumbleachers.com/Images/Projects/Soccer/Toronto-MLS-Stadium/Toronto-BMO-Field-Soccer-Bleachers-1.jpg
http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/blogs/2009/08/08/real_madrid_bmo_field/
So now that it's over, what have we learned?
Here's a couple of nuggets: That temporary north end grandstand, which looked pretty good by the way, will become a permanent fixture next year. It won't be the same as the 900-seater they hastily scrambled together for this event. In fact it will be bigger. I'm guessing 1,500 seats, or as many as they can cram in there. Quietly and with little fanfare BMO Field expansion is underway. Most importantly there's now a full court press on the way to get grass in there, and not the kind you rip up after a game and toss away, or at least donate to local schools.
Trust me, the deep thinkers really want it to happen at the end of this season. How much of it is expectation, and how much is simply hope is anyone's guess.
Here's how it would work:
Ideally at some point this coming winter after the bubble is up, they rip everything out and begin the prep work. It involves laying the foundation, the underground piping and all that other stuff I know nothing about. Then as soon as the sun comes out and the bubble is removed next spring, in goes the grass. It means a lengthy road trip to begin next season, but there's no other way considering our short growing season.
Next up, city hall; MLSE is waiting for an audience right now like an anxious kid waiting for the candy store to open. Get them on board and apparently they already are, and the province and the feds will fall in line.Philadelphia set aside 2000 seats (the Supporters Section) solely for the supporters at waterfront endline. In order to buy tickets there, you have to be a member of one of the supporters groups.
From their website:
The Supporters Section will be filled with passionate soccer fans whose purpose will be to create an intimidating atmosphere for the opposition while cheering the team on to victory. In order to have access to seats in this area you are required to be a registered member of a Philadelphia Union supporters club. This section will stand, sing, and chant for all 90 minutes of the match. Please take this into consideration before choosing seats in this section.http://www.mlsphilly2010.com/images/mls/stadium_designs/medium/stadium_waterside.jpg
Capacity: 18,500
Season ticket cap: 15,000.....have sold over 9,500 season tickets
Single sales and packages: 3,500
Distance from downtown Philadelphia: 21.6 miles
Travel time: 30 minutes (according to Google Map)
The latest construction pictures from their facebook
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=98892&id=89209317187
http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/blogs/2009/08/08/real_madrid_bmo_field/
So now that it's over, what have we learned?
Here's a couple of nuggets: That temporary north end grandstand, which looked pretty good by the way, will become a permanent fixture next year. It won't be the same as the 900-seater they hastily scrambled together for this event. In fact it will be bigger. I'm guessing 1,500 seats, or as many as they can cram in there. Quietly and with little fanfare BMO Field expansion is underway. Most importantly there's now a full court press on the way to get grass in there, and not the kind you rip up after a game and toss away, or at least donate to local schools.
Trust me, the deep thinkers really want it to happen at the end of this season. How much of it is expectation, and how much is simply hope is anyone's guess.
Here's how it would work:
Ideally at some point this coming winter after the bubble is up, they rip everything out and begin the prep work. It involves laying the foundation, the underground piping and all that other stuff I know nothing about. Then as soon as the sun comes out and the bubble is removed next spring, in goes the grass. It means a lengthy road trip to begin next season, but there's no other way considering our short growing season.
Next up, city hall; MLSE is waiting for an audience right now like an anxious kid waiting for the candy store to open. Get them on board and apparently they already are, and the province and the feds will fall in line.Philadelphia set aside 2000 seats (the Supporters Section) solely for the supporters at waterfront endline. In order to buy tickets there, you have to be a member of one of the supporters groups.
From their website:
The Supporters Section will be filled with passionate soccer fans whose purpose will be to create an intimidating atmosphere for the opposition while cheering the team on to victory. In order to have access to seats in this area you are required to be a registered member of a Philadelphia Union supporters club. This section will stand, sing, and chant for all 90 minutes of the match. Please take this into consideration before choosing seats in this section.http://www.mlsphilly2010.com/images/mls/stadium_designs/medium/stadium_waterside.jpg
Capacity: 18,500
Season ticket cap: 15,000.....have sold over 9,500 season tickets
Single sales and packages: 3,500
Distance from downtown Philadelphia: 21.6 miles
Travel time: 30 minutes (according to Google Map)
The latest construction pictures from their facebook
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=98892&id=89209317187