Don't worry, I'm not inappropriately using my historic preservation blog to flaunt the awesomeness of one of the best NFL teams in the league. Nor am I taking an opportunity to boast how incredible the Kansas City Chiefs FANS are. No, no, I am actually talking about preservation here.
You see, this past Sunday I had a chance to visit the 'New' stadium in Kansas City. It just happened to be during game time so I decided to stay and watch the Chiefs just barely beat the Buffalo Bills in the last 5 seconds of overtime. But that's besides the point. The point is, Arrowhead Stadium has just gone under a $375 million renovation.
So yes, this is a story about preservation, just on a much larger scale. I mean, preservation isn't just for houses right? The renovation of a major league stadium that holds 76,000 people might not seem like true 'preservation', but indeed it is. Think about the alternative- the destruction of thousands of tons of infrastructure and all of the embodied energy in that building, and the creation of a huge new stadium utilizing thousands of tons of new materials and transportation to get it there.
You might think that such a project has no business being labeled 'preservation'. But the simple fact of the matter is that we live in America, and football is a defining characteristic of American culture. It's citizens have supported it, even encouraged it, and continue to fund its survival and growth. It's not going away- just becoming more and more encompassing as the years pass. Whether you like it or not, its here to stay. And so, stadiums have become part of our landscape. Just think of Wrigley Field or Soldier Stadium. They've become icons in Americas cities.
That being established, let's get on with Arrowhead. The Chiefs stadium was built in 1972. The stadium was designed by Denver architect Charles Deaton and Steadman. It was such an efficient design that it became the influence for many NFL stadiums thereafter. It has long been considered a nice, clean, convenient stadium, as well the loudest stadium in the league. (Attending many games in this stadium, I can vouch for that. What can I say, Chiefs fans LOVE their Chiefs!)
It's no surprise then that Jackson County voters voted for a tax increase in 2006 in order to fund the stadium renovation. What's new at the 'Sea of Red'? The concourses have been widened by 60 percent, concession stands were expanded and there was 100 percent increase in the number of restroom fixtures. There's a new state of the art Chiefs store, Chiefs Hall of Honor and Chiefs Sports Lab- truly inviting fans to experience the passion of the game. Suites and Field boxes have been updated. There is also a new Founders Plaza honoring Lamar Hunt and his lifelong dedication to the NFL.
After visiting the stadium on Sunday, I agree with it's new mantra- New Body, Same Soul. I was impressed with the convenient new additions, especially the increased bathrooms. I didn't have to wait in line once! The concession stands were much nicer. Though I still refuse to pay $11 for a margarita! Overall the new face lift was nice. Though I probably will never benefit from the new suites and field boxes, it did look nice. As we cheered the Chiefs to victory, the spirit was absolutely still there. You could feel it even before kickoff, as the National Anthem was sung, fans paying tribute to our nations flag, saluting the flyover and service men and women in the stands, and singing along with such passion for America's greatest sport....O'er the laaaaaaand of the freeeeee and the hooooome of the.....CHIEFS!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment