Hmm, time to start thinking about Arrowhead Stadium replacement?

[DaWolf]

[url]http://www.kcstar.com/item/pages/sports.pat,sports/3accb5a7.529,.html[/url]

[quote]But the Chiefs are looking hard at ways of keeping up.

"The ratio of restrooms per customer and the width of the concourse on the lower level especially is very, very tight," Hunt said. "Arrowhead doesn't have the points of purchase we would like to have. When we have 79,000 people in the stadium, it's not possible to adequately serve them food and drink and merchandise. But there are things that can be done. That's the kind of thing we're looking for in the future."

The Chiefs have discussed other ideas, such as naming rights for Arrowhead. But Hunt, ever the traditionalist, said he would resist the notion unless it's the proper fit.

They've looked into building a new press box atop the stadium and turning that current space, which is some of Kansas City's most prime real estate, into additional luxury suites.

Again, Hunt wouldn't say no, but he also wasn't optimistic.

"That would change the look of the stadium," Hunt said. "Architecturally, one of the great features of Arrowhead is the swoop look at the top of the stadium."

The Chiefs might not truly be happy until they get a new home, which could give them all the features they love about Arrowhead and a pile of new cash in addition.

They might not get the revenue bounce that some other clubs did, but they would get one just the same.

"Obviously, with Kansas City, you wouldn't see that type of revenue movement because they're doing well now," said Sheehan, the economics professor. "But they could certainly move to the top of the list." [/quote]

[Rausch]

I would get physically sick. To me, Lamar and my Chiefs are what make me a fan as much as the team that takes the field. There have been exceptions to the rule, but the rule is that the Chiefs = class and midwestern values. I love Arrowhead. I love that we don't have numerous special seats for the rich crybabies too good to sit with the common man. Arrowhead is an equalizer and a great way to feel a PART of something. A part of the community, the fan base. That stadium is as much Chiefs as BBQ and Derrick Thomas and Lenny Dawson...



I WOULD get physically ill at the mere casual mention of its demise to facilitate a few rich and uppity businisnessmen who generally could care less about the outcome of the game...

Well, I think we'll be razing Arrowhead in the next decade or so. 19 franchises have new facilities since 95. That's amazing! I don't see how it could be avoided regardless of Arrowhead's luster.

[Chiefs Pantalones]

So, let me get this straight, they are thinking about taring down Arrowhead and building a new stadium? I would have to know all details to be with this.

CG

am I reading this right? They want to tare it down?:confused:



gotta go to class now, check back in later

[Mile High Mania]

Well, I'm not sure that I would worry all that much about the issue.... sounds like they'll do some cosmetic reconstruction to put in more restrooms and vendor areas.

However, don't be shocked if they realize after this season that they could bring in more players and become more financially competitive if they sold the naming rights.

[Mark M]

A number of things could be done to help alleviate the problem.

They could add a sealed-from-the-outside concourse to the side of the stadium (say at the end of the spiral ramps) and add additional vendors and bathrooms.

They could add a hotel and restaurant/bar between the stadiums, with partial proceeds going to both the Royals and Arrowhead.

They could take out the back row or two of seats to add more concourse space (although less seats means less $$).

They could mover the pack band to the corner of the endzone and add additional seats there.

There are other things that could be done, but the problem is the county, not Lamar, owns the stadium. Anything that is to be done has to be okayed by Jackson county.

I agree that the concourse is a bit narrow, and the bathrooms are inadequate ... but I just can't imagine watching the Chiefs anywhere but Arrowhead. They just can't match the location (central) the parking (plenty, if expensive) and the look (absolute classic).

MM
~~Has only known one home of the Chiefs.

[milkman]

That they were so healthy was interesting, given that the franchise doesn't have all the amenities of a stadium like Dallas or Washington or St. Louis," said Richard Sheehan, an economics professor at Notre Dame and the author of a book titled Keeping Score: The Economics of Big-Time Sports.

"That says a lot for the way the franchise was managed."


This article, especially the quote above, would certainly add fuel to Pacfan's constant rants that CP is more concerned with pofits, than he is with putting a championship product on the field.

[alanm]

How do you go about improving the Taj Mahal of stadiums? :D

[Mile High Mania]

I can't wait to visit the new stadium in Denver... I'm going for the Ravens game in September. Sometime I have to visit Arrowhead, I'd love to see a Denver game there.

Once I see both, I'll tell you how they compare... :-)

I think it will be tough to top the new Mile High based on everything that I have seen and read. I will give KC props though, they built a good stadium.

I didn't get the impression, from reading the article, that there is a lot of thought for razing Ahead, and building a new one. Renovations maybe, but not totally rebuilding it. In fact most of the renovations are fan friendly and will no doubt be appreciated. It has been years since I have attended a game there, but the complex still gets cudos from the national press who attend the games. I don't see major rebuilding ahead, for at least the next 10 to 12 years.

[47mack]

Arrowhead is a legend. Even legends have to die off eventually. I will hate to see it go, but I fear it will be inevitable.

I agree w/ MHM, Lamar is looking all that money from Sprint right in the mouth and probably kicking himself. Sprint Field at Arrowhead is how it will play out. Then, we'll get a new stadium. It happens - it just happened in Houston - 3 times for every major sport. And, we had to lose the Oilers to make people understand.

[gh4chiefs]

Raze Arrowhead? BLASPHEMY!

I'd hate to see Arrowhead go, too. But, nearly every team in the NFL has done it. Hell, our stadium will have lasted a full 20 years longer than Seattle's if it finishes out the decade. It's been a good run, but I think we might as well get used to the idea that it won't last forever.

[jAZ]

Arrowhead "Mountain Spring Water" Stadium

Whenever a stadium sells the rights in the "Sprint Field at Arrowhead Stadium" manner, it always gets shortened to "Sprint Field"... at least this way it would still get shortened to Arrowhead Stadium.