Quote:
Originally Posted by AdamHeard
Considering what the fields cost (hundreds of thousands of dollars), this not a surprise to me at all.
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To add to this, to give you a rough idea on what a field costs, when loaning them for off-season events, teams have to take out insurance for up to $47,000, for the physical field itself. Throw in the electronics and you have to have coverage up to $173,000.
Keep in mind that is just what
FIRST would want covered if something happened. The actual prices could certainly be even more.
My point is this, while trusses from most of our perspectives are expensive, in the scheme of what the field costs, they are really a smaller addition.
Remember that most of these fields have to endure anywhere from 5 to 8 competitions during the season, and even longer for off-season events. Plus remember all the abuse they take from on the field action, set-up, take-down, and transport.
FIRST needs something strong that will withstand. By using trusses, they get that, while using a COTS item to save on costs. There's nothing more to the inclusion of them than that.
On a side note: (Something really not important but that has been bugging me)
People keep saying how
FIRST has experiences with trusses from using them at regional events. The trusses you see at the regional events are typically owned by the production companies
FIRST contracts for the events. It's the production crew that has to fly the trusses, and the curtains, lights, and speakers that hang off of them. That is not the responsibility of
FIRST staff or volunteers.