11/05/24
August 17, 2006
New Cardinal Field Tagged Latest "Wonder of the World": Retractable roofs are old news. This stadium actually has a field on a tray which sits outdoors 340 days a year and moves into the stadium via motors for games! Weird looking but definitely cutting-edge and amazing.
Third time's a charm, eh? I think they did this with the new Amsterdam Arena, where Ajax play soccer, a few years ago. Playing field technology has sure been growing by leaps and bounds over the last ten years or so.
posted by Hugh Janus at 08:53 AM on August 17, 2006
Anywhere else we non-Insiders can read about it? Sounds hella cool.
posted by cobra! at 09:09 AM on August 17, 2006
Photos and some brief details.
posted by gradys_kitchen at 09:25 AM on August 17, 2006
The grass in Cardinals Stadium can slide in and out of the stadium depending on the event being held. That is so awesome! I wish that I could afford to fly down to just one game so that I can experience that stadium. Grass on wheels just appeals to me...
posted by wingnut4life at 09:33 AM on August 17, 2006
Very, cery cool. Thanks. It's interesting-- the pics make it look like they'd lose some seating capacity in the opening for the field tray, but 63k is a pretty decent capacity.
posted by cobra! at 09:58 AM on August 17, 2006
I saw the pics of the new stadium for the Cardinals and was VERY impressed. Who ever's idea it was for the grass to be retractable, is a genius. Like Joe Thiesmann said, "A genius like that guy, Norman Einsten" LOL
posted by BornIcon at 10:04 AM on August 17, 2006
There's a Discovery Channel show called Extreme Engineering that did an episode on this stadium. Pretty amazing building. The episode was new this year, so keep an eye out for repeats. The episodes also get repeated on the Discovery Science Channel.
posted by NoMich at 10:22 AM on August 17, 2006
More stadium fun: the First Eco Footy Stadium.
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:31 AM on August 17, 2006
NoMich beat me to the mention of that show. If you're at all interested in this building make the effort to see it as it was made over time while the construction was happening, not afterward with computer models and photos.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:06 AM on August 17, 2006
I'm pretty sure that they did this for the 1994 world cup, with one of the domes that hosted a game. My hazy memory has the Swiss playing in the game and there was a feature before hand about how the grass was kept outside, then moved in in hexagonal pieces for the game.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 11:42 AM on August 17, 2006
I'm pretty sure that they did this for the 1994 world cup, with one of the domes that hosted a game. My hazy memory has the Swiss playing in the game and there was a feature before hand about how the grass was kept outside, then moved in in hexagonal pieces for the game. posted by Mr Bismarck at 11:42 AM CDT on August 17 This was done in my backyard. The Pontiac Silverdome used the hexagonal grass 'pieces' using technology (shameless plug) developed by my alma matter - Michigan State. The result was the first indoor game in World Cup history.
posted by gradys_kitchen at 12:03 PM on August 17, 2006
Good post dyams. Man this stadium is awesome. Definitely cooler than what I get. NoMich, good call on the Discovery Channel show. It airs again on August 22nd at 7:00 et/pt. Tivo is already set.
posted by timdawg at 12:29 PM on August 17, 2006
The hexagons were moved in one by one by forklift, though, if I recall- not the complete field sliding in and out like this.
posted by tieguy at 12:48 PM on August 17, 2006
timdawg, thanks for the time of that Discovery Channel show. Their shows are usually fantastic. Also, I see what you mean about your stadium (Soldier Field). It looks like another stadium crash-landed into the old stadium. As for the new Cardinal stadium, the entire field moving in and out so easily makes it much easier to utilize the stadium for other things, without worrying about damage to the field. The way the place looks from the outside must take some getting used to, though.
posted by dyams at 01:15 PM on August 17, 2006
It vaguely looks like FC Bayern Munich's pad. Emphasis on vaguely.
posted by igottheblues at 01:17 PM on August 17, 2006
Looks like sliding a note under the door or mail through the mail slot. That is so cool.
posted by dbt302 at 01:32 PM on August 17, 2006
Now all they need is a team.
posted by joromu at 04:03 PM on August 17, 2006
Now, if I could somehow get my yard to slide around under the mower blades while I drank a cold beer, that would be a world wonder. Seriously, that must be a really interesting process. It potentially has an added benefit. Can you imagine being in the stadium, mid-way through the 3rd period of a stinker of a game, when the referee signals the grounds crew to "just get rid of this mess"? Call it 'instant endplay'.
posted by Howard_T at 08:31 PM on August 17, 2006
I'm thinking the Cards offence has another great season, this time with the Edge adding some running threat too. It's week 15 and Zona is playing it's last home game of the year, needing a win to stay in the divisional hunt. They lead the Broncos 21-20 with 8 seconds on the clock and Jason Elam lines up for the winning field goal. Here's the snap, Elam begins his run up and... the guy controlling the field motors 'accidentally' knocks the joystick. Everything bumps right half an inch, Elam falls over and the Cards make the post season.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 02:37 AM on August 18, 2006
Mr. B, you just inadvertently gave Jake Plummer a perfect excuse for the inevitable fouth-quarter interception he'll throw in that game.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 05:03 AM on August 18, 2006
Now all they need is a team. I don't know, if I'm a Cardinal fan I'm beginning to feel pretty good. Cool new stadium (their own, mind you) and a fairly exciting team? What's not to like. They're stuck in a division that's basically up for grabs, with Fitzgerald, Boldin, James, and a young QB waiting in the wings. I'd say they have the groundwork of a pretty decent team.
posted by dyams at 07:43 AM on August 18, 2006
Computer error! Sorry as hell about the multiple posts!