Where is gonna be located the 2014-2015 Championship?

[Denise Bohnsack]

Originally Posted by steverk

I live in Houston and have attended the 2003 Championship in Houston as well as the 2012 Championship in St. Louis.

In 2003, they made the mistake of using the Astrodome for the pit areas and it was a disaster! Very hard to get the robots to and from the pits. On that score, St. Louis was undeniably better.

However, the situation has changed since 2003. The Astrodome has been all but abandoned and the Reliant Center has been built.

With 5 large halls and over 700,000 square feet in the center, there is no question that the Reliant Center is large enough to house the pit areas. Add in the space within the dome and the facility could hande championships even if FIRST decided to expand to 8 divisions. However, it is at least 200 yards across a the parking lot to get to the stadium, which means it would still be a problem to get the robots to and from the pit areas.

For those still pulling for Houston, there is hope. The county is considering plans to demolish the Astrodome. Once that is done, it is anybody's guess what additional development will occur.

IMO, an expansion of the Reliant Center to the point where it is attached, or nearly attached to the stadium is possible, but some years away. IF it happened, it would be an ideal location for a much larger FIRST championship. In the meantime, it doesn't make as good a venue as St. Louis.

Great. informative post. Thank you. I do not know if Houston has stepped forward with a bid for FIRST Championship, but maybe if the facilities are improved with connecting facilities it would be a good location for the future. When I was about 10, (40 years ago) I toured the Astrodome and it was touted as the 8th wonder of the world. And it was so impressive back then even more so later with an amusement park next door. (Astroworld) How times change! I will say, Houston is an incredible city and I love to visit whenever I can!

[safiq10]

Personally I say we just hold the CMP on the beach at hawaii

[lorem3k]

Originally Posted by safiq10

Personally I say we just hold the CMP on the beach at hawaii

Sadly, I doubt 2015's water game would be playable with salt water. Anything but distilled is an electrical hazard.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by lorem3k

Sadly, I doubt 2015's water game would be playable with salt water. Anything but distilled is an electrical hazard.

Also, sand is a mechanical hazard. Gearboxes, bearings, pneumatic cylinders...pretty much any moving part is not going to be happy with little sharp bits of rock.

[cjrazdar15]

Originally Posted by safiq10

Personally I say we just hold the CMP on the beach at hawaii

Aside from the very "few" logistical issues that would definitely induce, I am in love with the idea!! (But seriously, I would love that)

[Ian Curtis]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

Also, sand is a mechanical hazard. Gearboxes, bearings, pneumatic cylinders...pretty much any moving part is not going to be happy with little sharp bits of rock.

Sounds like a great challenge for the 2019 Lunacy remix... Regolith

[waialua359]

I would love the idea of having it in Hawaii for obvious reasons.
However, the venues available are not large enough or cost effective for all of the teams in FIRST to participate.
VEX on the other hand.
St. Louis, as much as I hate the cost, was very satisfactory this year and would love to see it continue there beyond 2014.
Atlanta was a better venue, but the city was boring with nothing to do and felt much more unsafe around the downtown area.

The only other city I see as cost effective, having the space to do it, and with lots to do for both students AND adults.....Las Vegas!

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by waialua359

I would love the idea of having it in Hawaii for obvious reasons.
However, the venues available are not large enough or cost effective for all of the teams in FIRST to participate.
VEX on the other hand.
St. Louis, as much as I hate the cost, was very satisfactory this year and would love to see it continue there beyond 2014.
Atlanta was a better venue, but the city was boring with nothing to do and felt much more unsafe around the downtown area.

The only other city I see as cost effective, having the space to do it, and with lots to do for both students AND adults.....Las Vegas!

Atlanta seemed to have alot more to do than St. Louis does (though St. Louis does a much better job keeping the homeless population away from the event). You can't take the kids to a casino.
The Georgia Dome is the scariest place I have ever been after 10 pm but I did not realize til I read this article that the world championship is right next too the 22nd most dangerous neighborhood in America. That would explain why so many teams found their trailer almost broken into.
Does Lost Wages have a dome stadium of we're just talking another convention center?

[AlexD744]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

Atlanta seemed to have alot more to do than St. Louis does (though St. Louis does a much better job keeping the homeless population away from the event). You can't take the kids to a casino.
The Georgia Dome is the scariest place I have ever been after 10 pm but I did not realize til I read this article that the world championship is right next too the 22nd most dangerous neighborhood in America. That would explain why so many teams found their trailer almost broken into.
Does Lost Wages have a dome stadium of we're just talking another convention center?

Do you mean Edward Jones Dome is next to the 22nd most dangerous neighborhood? That's what it seems from the article you linked.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by AlexD744

Do you mean Edward Jones Dome is next to the 22nd most dangerous neighborhood? That's what it seems from the article you linked.

yes.
I drove through there trying to get around the traffic leaving Friday. It made me nervous going down the street but I didn't realize it was that bad.
I'll think twice about taking that route next time.
I also notice Indianapolis makes the list a few time. They're so ready to host the championship now!

[Foster]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

Also, sand is a mechanical hazard. Gearboxes, bearings, pneumatic cylinders...pretty much any moving part is not going to be happy with little sharp bits of rock.

But you have to admit, beach volleyball would be way cool. I've been a fan of the upcoming Water Game, but a Sand Game could be even better. Everyone has access to sand (well in the winter in the North, it's spread all over the roads).

[George C]

Sorry, the use of sand has been banned in schools in some jurisdictions (in Ontario at least) because of the potential for silicosis. Drywall compound and sandpaper are being investigated. I kid you not! I guess trips to the beach during spring break will be out too.

[bduddy]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

Atlanta seemed to have alot more to do than St. Louis does (though St. Louis does a much better job keeping the homeless population away from the event). You can't take the kids to a casino.
The Georgia Dome is the scariest place I have ever been after 10 pm but I did not realize til I read this article that the world championship is right next too the 22nd most dangerous neighborhood in America. That would explain why so many teams found their trailer almost broken into.
Does Lost Wages have a dome stadium of we're just talking another convention center?

??? The listed neighborhood is 5 miles away from the dome.

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=D...&mra=ls&z =15

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by bduddy

??? The listed neighborhood is 5 miles away from the dome.

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=D...&mra=ls&z =15

The map shows clearly that the niegborhood is right at the edge of the volunteer parking. Right where the teams leave thier trailers nearby as well.

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by bduddy

??? The listed neighborhood is 5 miles away from the dome.

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=D...&mra=ls&z =15

That's the 12th most dangerous on the list. This is the 22nd:

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=from:...EuY4A&t=h&z=16