Re: Let's talk about venues...
 

I hear the 2012 venue for the Dallas regional was pretty awesome but I wasn't around so if someone wants to pitch their opinion on that feel free.

I loved the OKC since there is just so much room! We were able to pull in our trucks inside the venue to unload. It was great! Plus the field was a little chilly since we were playing on the ice. The pits were so spacious! 10X15!!!! OKC we love you!

Also the Austin Convention Center for the TRR this year was phenominal! It was just so large and spacious plus the meeting rooms were great for just about everything! If their ever is a vote to move the Alamo regional I will definitely vote for the Austin Convention Center.

I also hear ST.Louis is quite nice, maybe we will figure out next year?

Re: Let's talk about venues...
 

Where have you heard that it's moving to? This is the first time that I've heard about this, and while I hope it's not true, I have a feeling that it might be.

Re: Let's talk about venues...
 

My favorite venue is the Gordon Filedhouse on the RIT campus. If hosts FLR.
It has the seating capacity of an arena with the floorspace of a convention center.I have not seen anything else like it in FIRST.

Re: Let's talk about venues...
 

Only downside is that 1/3rd of those seats are unusable with the giant mob of people standing in front of the field on Saturday. Otherwise easily one of the best venues I've competed at.

WPI's layout in 2013 (and on?) was also pretty good; a lot of bleacher space going way up, big pit area, etc.

Re: Let's talk about venues...
 

Its probably going to be at Eastern Washington University, the former home of the Spokane regional.

Re: Let's talk about venues...
 

Orlando is my personal favorite in season venue mostly for the reasons stated. Overall though IRI has the best venue as it takes nearly everything Orlando has and improves on it. It has better lighting than orlando, SFL or champs, supports 70 teams with a full practice field and the pits are not very far from the field.

Re: Let's talk about venues...
 

Two of my favorite venues are Lawrence North High School, and the old Armory at Purdue. Both of them have filled close to capacity with great people every time I have been there.

Re: Let's talk about venues...
 

WPI, especially since the renovation.

Comfortable bleachers on both sides, natural light filtering in, great outdoor spaces to relax and play in right outside, terrific food choices.

Production by the WPI Sound & Light crew is outstanding. BattleCry is one of the oldest and best Off Season competitions. You can see how creative they are at 4:30 in this video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yWq...tH3hUljz8wc_Vw

Agannis Arena at Bostin University is pretty cool (Hockey rink underneath) with its steep seats and close pits, but parking is not as much fun.

The inaugural district event at Hartford Public High School was also nice. A great open space with tons of natural light filtering in (though it washed out the projection screens), and the pits were right next to the field

Re: Let's talk about venues...
 

Old School, The field house at The Naval Academy.

Modern era, RIT and Hartford Public.

Re: Let's talk about venues...
 

My other favorite venues.
Harrington Auditorium (Battlecry @ WPI). Best Pits in FIRST. Period.
Much better use of space. Need to figure out what to do with the floor covering. It's very dangerous.

Hershey Centre (GTR West up to 2013) the only arena setup that got it right far as I'm concerned. They put it in the middle of the arena instead of slamming tight up one side. The seperate pits work fine though waterever the heck is under that bridge badly needed to be cleaned up. It smelled like something died under there!

Georgia Dome (Championships 2004 til 2010) Best venue the championships ever had. The pit space was ideal. The courtyard was a nice place to stay. The walk was a little far but not awful like it was in Houston. And there was stuff to do nearby.

Re: Let's talk about venues...
 

I'm saddened that the Crossroads Regional at Rose-Hulman isn't continuing. The pit area was huge, and even with a full-size practice field there was still plenty of room for random recreation. The arena access was convenient. The seating capacity was perhaps a little low, though, and some teams told me getting food was a bit of a hassle (as a volunteer, I didn't have that problem).


I notice that both of those locations have an auditorium with a stage and comfortable seating.


Without the amazing people, the Purdue armory would drop closer to the bottom of the list. As a venue, it was pretty poor.

Re: Let's talk about venues...
 

I've been to the majority of Regionals in Canada and the venue I like the most is the University of Waterloo.

They have the pits in the same large gymnasium as the field, separated by the giant projection screen, making the walk between the stands and the pits very short. They have loading doors right into the pit area. The food court is maybe a minute walk away from the gym.

The loading area is in a small parking lot, which can be problematic, but is the only issue I have with the venue.

All around, a great venue with a very helpful and supportive group of volunteers who do a great job every year!

If I'm putting in my two cents for favourite Champs venue, having only been to two (Atlanta & St. Louis), I'd have to choose St. Louis. Better loading, shorter walking distances, shorter robot commutes to the field, and better selection of food around downtown.

Re: Let's talk about venues...
 

One of my favorite venues is the GVSU field house for the West Michigan District. It has plenty of seating, enough area in the pits, plus they pit rookie teams around more experienced teams. Another plus is that there are nice bathrooms.

Re: Let's talk about venues...
 

I'd have to disagree with the Armory, and I'm a Purdue Alum. While I love going back to my alma mater, I the bathroom situation is a dealbreaker. I do like the concept of smaller venues though. Events in them tend to be more exciting and have more energy than the events in large arenas.

Re: Let's talk about venues...
 

I'd definitely have to say the DECC in Duluth. Where else can you find 120 teams under one roof? Two regionals, happening at once, with pits a short 10 second walk down the hall from each other and fields positioned back to back. The seats are a little high... but I've only ever been up in them once so it doesn't bother me much. Plus the hotel I usually stay at has free smores for us when we get back after a long day at the event!