While our team is happy to have the Championship’s in our area we certainly understand others wanting them near their home. Amy’s suggestion of Indianapolis is the first one that I have seen that has an enclosed dome next to a convention center like here in Atlanta.
The Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) is the 4th largest convention facility in the USA. There are more than 10,500 hotel rooms within walking distance (source atlantadowntown.com). That appears to be about twice the rooms of Indianapolis downtown area per Amy’s statistics. The floors of the RCA Dome and the Georgia Dome have close to the same amount of space. GA has 102,000 sq. ft. and RCA has 95,000. The GWCC building C, level 1 that the pits were in this year has 418,500 sq. ft. It appears that almost all were happy with the new location this year. I am not sure about available space in IN or availability of covered walkways from the pits to the RCA Dome. The weather in April typically will be warmer in Atlanta but as Amy said, freak weather could hit either area. If was of course kind of chilly here on Saturday night this year.
Does the IN facilities have a large food court close by similar to CNN Center in Atlanta, to obtain lower priced and a wide variety of food? What type of mass transit is available in IN to get people around and to and from the airport? As most know, Atlanta has the Marta rail service including to the airport. I know that some enjoyed going to a major league baseball game here this year. About 80 percent of the U.S. population is within a two-hour flight of Atlanta. Does the IN facilities have large grassy areas to gather in, throw a frisbee or football, or have a web hug as Atlanta does?
About one month ago it was
announced that "Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, co-founder of The Home Depot, plans to invest up to $150 million in the state-owned Georgia Dome. While a big reason is to help the city land the Super Bowl all who use the dome will benefit. Mr. Blank said "But the reality is that if we don't get the bid, this is the right thing to do for Atlanta and our community."
Also, late this year Atlanta's new aquarium will open. This should help address some concerns about things to do in downtown Atlanta. Thanks to a generous gift from Bernie Marcus, co-founder of The Home Depot, the Georgia Aquarium will be one of the largest and most exciting aquariums in the world, featuring more than 55,000 animals from 500 different species in over 5 million gallons of water. The Georgia Aquarium is located in downtown Atlanta, next to the new World of Coca-Cola, and across the street from CNN Center, the Georgia World Congress Center, Centennial Olympic Park and “Imagine It!”, Atlanta’s Children’s Museum.
One item that I have not seen mentioned is an assumption I am making but very confident in. That assumption is that the State Of Georgia very likely gives “First” a VERY substantial discount on the rental of the GA Dome and GWCC. If that is correct, would other venues offer the same to First?
While none of the suggestions made here will likely have any influence on the people deciding years 2007 and beyond, it is fun to talk about it. The bottom line is that we love having it here in Atlanta. However Indianapolis may be a good choice or perhaps Toronto? I have been to Toronto and it is a beautiful city. However the Toronto weather this year during the finals was 34-55 degrees F. For all we know someone in “First” may have already decided!
I am in no way trying to say that Atlanta is better than IN or any others. I just wanted to state the facts about ATL and find out more about other potential locations.
Dave