Let's talk about venues...

[thatprogrammer]

Originally Posted by MARS_James

To echo this Orlando has so much that is great about it. Parking is awesome, food is plentiful and cheap, so much open space just outside the arena, plus it is in Orlando just think of the team bonding options.

To get into more details it is held in the CFE(formerly UCF) Arena which has a capacity of just under 10,000. The pits are in the old UCF Arena (Which used to host the event) which is connected to the new arena for very easy access. Because the pits are in the old arena there is plenty of space and congestion is not to big of an issue. The field utilizes both the jumbo screen that most regionals have as well as utilizing the jumbo displays used at the basketball games meaning during eliminations (when we are all stuck behind the curtain) you can still clearly see the matches going on. The seating is also interesting as the seats that have the best view of the field are standard seats so if your team arrives late and is stuck behind an alliance station wall you have the luxury of sitting in the comfy padded premium seats.

Orlando/Florida was my first FIRST competition so it holds a special place in my heart and I do love the constant stream of fresh new teams attending every year.

Orlando was also my first regional, and what a place to be for a first regional! Seeing teams from the top 5% of FRC, playing with over 60 teams in a place like orlando, AND good food! Also the venue's walk isn't too bad, and the AC worked wonderfully. *Florida can get VERY hot * The best thing about Orlando is, no doubt, the fact that the venue is large enough for so many teams. Ample parking and no clogged up entrance to the game field? Perfect!

The place is also really refreshing, because the pits are very brightly lit, and very well laid out. At times, SFL felt not only cramped, but extremely stressful. With Orlando, this was not an issue!

*Jimmy Jones for food means no huge lines or waiting time if getting lunch *

[PayneTrain]

I'd have to say my favorite venue is the one in my hometown and/or is the site of the first ever regional I attended and/or a venue I regularly attend for a regional.

[MARS_James]

Originally Posted by PayneTrain

and/or a venue I regularly attend for a regional.

Why you make it seem like it is wrong to regularly attend your favorite regional venue

While I do admit my favorite does fall into the categories listed in the full quote, my first regional (though in a new space so technically a different venue), it is not my hometown regional (that being South Florida), and If I am being honest I would not rank either of the South Florida Venues in my top 5 (The First was way to small and the second is beyond expensive). My 2&3 are venues I have only been to once* for a competition (Peachtree at the GWCC, and IRI at Lawrence North Highschool).

Sorry I understand the point you are trying to make but I have enjoyed hearing everybody describe quirks and good things that I never knew about their regionals and feel that you may dissuade people from posting about them because they fall into your 3 categories

*I competed at champs in Atlanta which housed pits and other things in the building but not the competition

[PayneTrain]

Originally Posted by MARS_James

Why you make it seem like it is wrong to regularly attend your favorite regional venue

While I do admit my favorite does fall into the categories listed in the full quote, my first regional (though in a new space so technically a different venue), it is not my hometown regional (that being South Florida), and If I am being honest I would not rank either of the South Florida Venues in my top 5 (The First was way to small and the second is beyond expensive). My 2&3 are venues I have only been to once* for a competition (Peachtree at the GWCC, and IRI at Lawrence North Highschool).

Sorry I understand the point you are trying to make but I have enjoyed hearing everybody describe quirks and good things that I never knew about their regionals and feel that you may dissuade people from posting about them because they fall into your 3 categories

It's probably worth noting that I omitted that my second favorite venue is one that hasn't hosted an FRC event at least 3 years and my third is one that is universally popular for reasons outside of the actual venue.

I never said it was wrong to like what you like. In fact, my two favorite venues are among the 4 closest to where I live.

What I am asking is, how else would you expect this thread to go?

[P.J.]

Originally Posted by BriteBacon

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 the pit rookie teams around more experienced teams. Another plus is that there are nice bathrooms.

I came here to say this as well. I always try to make it out to the West Michigan District even if my team isn't there. I just absolutely love the venue, the teams, and the people.

As for smaller district venues, I was a huge fan of Parker Middle School (where the Howell District was this year). I was volunteering on the field, but there seemed to be plenty of seating and the pits seemed good as well.

[indubitably]

My favorite venue would have to be the Rose-Hulman Sports and Recreation Center that hosts the Crossroads Regional.

I love the fact that there is seating on both sides of the field and easily accessible standing room at the top of the bleachers. The pits and practice area were extremely large and the walk is short and nice from the parking lots.

[Mrcope9]

I have to say, the best venue is the George R Brown in downtown Houston. It's one of the largest convention centers in the US and has several halls capable of hosting a large regional. Even though I have never been with my team, i visited for the 2012 Lone Star Regional. I must say, the venue did a fine job. Another HUGE selling point is the fact that there are several hotels and numerous restaurants in walking distance around the Discovery Green Park. Downtown Houston is an excellent spot to host a regional. For more info, just search for a nice map of downtown. It's high on our list.

[SoftwareBug2.0]

Originally Posted by PayneTrain

It's probably worth noting that I omitted that my second favorite venue is one that hasn't hosted an FRC event at least 3 years and my third is one that is universally popular for reasons outside of the actual venue.

I never said it was wrong to like what you like. In fact, my two favorite venues are among the 4 closest to where I live.

What I am asking is, how else would you expect this thread to go?

I agree that this is the obvious way for this thread to go, but it does actually carry some information. You can figure out which other venues people are likely to have been to by looking at their team number and thebluealliance.com.

For reference, here's the list of venues that I've been to:
Portland's Memorial Colesium
Las Vegas's Thomas & Mack Center
Georgia Dome
Seattle's Century Link Events Center
St. Louis's Edward Jones Dome
Central Washington University's Nicolson Pavilion
Old Oregon City High School gym
Wilsonville High School gym
Oregon State University's Gill Coliseum

I really enjoyed the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, the home of UNLV basketball. It was a really nice venue; the only downside was that there wasn't a whole lot of extra room to put more teams. And while it doesn't really have anything to do with the venue itself I thought the events held there were always well run and you got to see an interesting selection of teams from across the country.

Other northwest teams have mentioned the Memorial Coliseum. That was the first venue I went to. It has a lot of upsides: it's a good size; it's comfortable for spectators; it has easy parking; good accoustics; pit setup is ideal for 60+ teams; it's easy to get to being right off I-5; it's centrally located not only within the Portland area but within the PNW district. If you were looking for a place to house a regional it definately checks all the boxes. But for some reason it's my team's cryptonite.

In 2007 we ranked first on Galileo after qualifying, but in Portland we were 5-3 in at the same point. In 2013 we were ranked 4 in Galileo after qualifiers but in 2-7 in Portland. This year we won two district events and were finalists in a third and then proceded to the district championship in Portland where we went 3-9. The joke around the team is that we should invite our sponsors to see us compete at any event held elsewhere.

Anyway, I'm still a little surprised to hear that the PNW championship would be in Spokane. Of all the decent-sized cities in the northwest this might be the most out of the way for teams. I know the travel to Portland was getting on 4057's nerves last year; I wonder how they'll like their new nine hour drive.

[MrTechCenter]

To be quite honest, I don't really like any of the three NorCal regional venues. I haven't been to any of the SoCal ones to judge for myself, but I heard the Lomg Beach venue is pretty good.

[Tristan Lall]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

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

The Hershey Centre is good: thousands of comfortable seats, and room for up to two full fields on the arena floor with plenty of space for queues and good (but long) sightlines. It's a hockey arena, which accounts for its capacity, and the smell in certain corners. When the event takes place on ice, the floor can be too cold for comfort; when the floor is drained, the concrete is fine. Ever since the renovations several years ago, having pits in one of the practice arenas has been very convenient, without disrupting the local hockey schedule too much. There's sufficient room for over 70 teams in this configuration. Ample parking is right outside the venue, and is free.

Originally Posted by AJCaliciuri

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.

Waterloo is nice, because the pits are right beside the field, and the steep angle of the seating makes for a good view all over the arena. It would make a very good district venue...but it's at the lower limit of capacity for a regional, mainly because of the very limited space for pits. You can cram 30 teams in there, but with compromises on pit and practice space. The seating is composed of old-fashioned folding bleachers, which aren't the most comfortable things all day long, and external power is needed for the pits.

Originally Posted by MrTechCenter

To be quite honest, I don't really like any of the three NorCal regional venues.

The SJSU Event Center isn't fantastic. The proximity of the main pits and field is nice, but the auxiliary pit is poorly ventilated and quite confined by comparison. It needs about 150 more seats, but they can't be unfolded (because the field wouldn't fit—it's already quite tight), or can't be usefully occupied (because they overlook the pits).

[Libby K]

Originally Posted by MooreteP

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

I'm sorry, but I so disagree with WPI. I love the A/V setup they have, and how BattleCry always ends up being a big sprawling-across-campus event, but it just seems like such an awkwardly-shaped venue to me.

Disclaimer: I'm a grad student there, so I see campus life a lot and use that gym area (where one floor is marked as 'robot pits' all year round) but I've also only been to BattleCry and not the actual WPI district.

When I went to BattleCry this May, the pits were cramped and tiny. I was immensely uncomfortable just walking through them. Is there a difference between the pit layout for BC vs. for the district? I sincerely hope someone can prove me wrong on this.

My favorite venue, of course, will always be Epcot. Sorry, I had to.

[IndySam]

I would have to say that the Purdue Armory is the worst venue I have been to. That being said, the wonderful volunteers make it an amazing event.

I love the Knoxville Convention Center home of the Smoky Mountain Regional.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by Libby K

I'm sorry, but I so disagree with WPI. I love the A/V setup they have, and how BattleCry always ends up being a big sprawling-across-campus event, but it just seems like such an awkwardly-shaped venue to me.

Disclaimer: I'm a grad student there, so I see campus life a lot and use that gym area (where one floor is marked as 'robot pits' all year round) but I've also only been to BattleCry and not the actual WPI district.

When I went to BattleCry this May, the pits were cramped and tiny. I was immensely uncomfortable just walking through them. Is there a difference between the pit layout for BC vs. for the district? I sincerely hope someone can prove me wrong on this.

My favorite venue, of course, will always be Epcot. Sorry, I had to.

I'm glad you said it first. I was at BC as well and it was a miserable experience. The pits are humid and have worse cell signal than some faraday cages I've been in. They are also DARK and feel oppressive.

The stands are sprawling and I feel like I was a mile away while watching the matches.

[George C]

Calgary. The Olympic Oval could hold several regionals and is a beautiful facility. Food services are great. If anything, the individual pits aisles are too wide - too much walking to get from one side to the other. Each pit was also 10' x 15'. Machine shop was very well placed. Parking is a challenge.

Ruckus. The retired armoury is super. Lots of room

[dag0620]

Originally Posted by Libby K

I'm sorry, but I so disagree with WPI. I love the A/V setup they have, and how BattleCry always ends up being a big sprawling-across-campus event, but it just seems like such an awkwardly-shaped venue to me.

Disclaimer: I'm a grad student there, so I see campus life a lot and use that gym area (where one floor is marked as 'robot pits' all year round) but I've also only been to BattleCry and not the actual WPI district.

When I went to BattleCry this May, the pits were cramped and tiny. I was immensely uncomfortable just walking through them. Is there a difference between the pit layout for BC vs. for the district? I sincerely hope someone can prove me wrong on this.

My favorite venue, of course, will always be Epcot. Sorry, I had to.

Pit map is from the 2014 WPI District Event here. https://www.dropbox.com/s/52xf9sc3ud...2014_Final.pdf

While it wasn't quite as bad, a 40 team district is still really at the max comfort level for the venue in my opinion. BattleCry last year was beyond the limits of what it could handle. The pits were sprawling, overcrowded, and there were some pits that had no easy way of accessing from the pits entrance. Plus there is no way teams will ever have a 10X10 pit at that venue.

Don't get me wrong, WPI people know how to run an event, and put on a show. However at the end of the day, thats representative of WPI's stellar planning committee, and LnL, not the venue itself. I agree with Libby in that I don't see why people think it is such a great venue. The fact that rumors have been flying around that some larger events will be moving to WPI does have me slightly concerned...