Potential Regional Sites

[Erin Rapacki]

Originally Posted by Coffeeism

I'm still wishing for a Boston Regional. Not sure if there will be one soon. Since there are 3 in NY, one in NH and another in CT all of which aren't too far away. They could hold it at the same place as Beantown Blitz at NU.

I know nothing.

[Lil' Lavery]

Washington DC!
Theres the MCI center for one. Not to mention several universities and colleges in the surrounding area that might be interested. GMU, GW, Georgetown (although their basketball is played at the MCI center, so that kinda goes back to the MCI center), ect. There are a ton of teams in greater washington area now. Even though there are 2 regionals within a 2 hour drive of DC, there definately are enough teams to support a 3rd. Some regionals dont even have 40 teams attend them, both Chesepeake and VCU had more than 55 (56 for Chesepeake, 62 or 63 for VCU). I know a few of the Richmond area teams are willing to drive up to DC for the building museum scrimmage, so they'd probably be willing to attend the DC regional as well. Not to mention the growing number of DC, N. Va, and Md teams that could also support it. If the building museum is willing to support a scrimmage, they'd probably be willing to sponsor a team social as well.
If DC doesn't get a regional, I know of at least 2 Virginia universities who are at least mildly interested in sponsoring a 2nd Virginia regional (Va has 55 teams after all). The UVa dean of engineering is jealous of VCU's regional, but I highly doubt the Dean down in Blacksburg would let UVa get the next regional without a fight.

As for Boston becoming the toughest regional, it still wouldnt be as good as the midwest regional, or Purdue.

[Joe Matt]

My mother and I were at Miami University and saw their basketball arena, and well, as we thought, it made the VCU Siegel center look like a POS. Man, it was nice, big, and lots of parking. Only problem is that there are two regionals less than a day drive away from it (Boilermaker & Buckeye).

[lynca]

Another Texas Regional would be great due to the distance separating teams. Maybe Dallas or Austin, University Support from a major University System would definitely push the case and location. Erwin Center or Wells Fargo Arena, anyone interested in such a location, please post or send me an email.

However, there are not enough teams in the area to spur a regional, but it definitely could be a potential site.

[Adam Y.]

I'm still wishing for a Boston Regional. Not sure if there will be one soon. Since there are 3 in NY, one in NH and another in CT all of which aren't too far away. They could hold it at the same place as Beantown Blitz at NU.

Hmmm.. I heard from a very reliable source that Dean Kamen actually wants a Boston regional. Beyond that I can't say.

[Wetzel]

The NVA/DC metro area would be a great place for a regional, but there are no obvious locations that I can think of. The GMU Patriot Center is not big enough for a regional, unless they have a LOT of extra floor space hidden in the back for the pits. The seats are all nonmovable. The MCI center appears to be the same way.
The DC Convention Center has the space, but not the seating.

An interesting side note, the MCI Center and the Patriot Center have the same website.

Wetzel

[Heretic121]

Originally Posted by Erin Rapacki

I know nothing.

you think she is up to something for 2006?!?! =X

[Eugenia Gabrielov]

I would recommend that before you jump the gun on what regions need new regionals, maybe focus on what areas don't already have them that could use them more.

Boston has already been mentioned, and I can see that there are so many teams in that one area, despite nearby regionals, there is nothing in state. Good idea to fix.

However, geographically, what areas are developing right now in each region that really need the consideration of a new regional, and need suggestions? I don't pretend to be the most informed about it, but look at Wisconsin...

Anybody got suggestions in Milwaukee for something great? From what I hear, that state not only has some extremely awesome teams arleady, but has at least 8 or 9 rookies in the works for next year. I'd definitly want to see a regional location up there. Feel free to check out the thread about the possible regional as well.

[BandChick]

I love Jadwin, it's a great location, and it certainly is a big venue, but I like Sovereign Bank. It's nice to have a practice field and SPACE in the pit area. I'm worried that things would get too cramped at Princeton's venue.

A Boston regional would be cool, but then think about how many crammed northeast regionals there would be. It's a great idea, and maybe if we get many more east coast teams it should be expanded on. But I think right now, what FIRST has is great.

[santosh]

There are quite a few college basketball courts that put VCU's court to shame. But VCU was probably my favorite regional in the past two years I have been in FIRST.

I would really be up for a Boston regional.

[pakrat]

a great '07 loaction would be Provo or Salt Lake City in Utah. There are planty of available arenas with the proper preparation, and I'm sure that BYU and UofU would start some teams with a regional so close. Also, teams from nevada, cloroado, even cali and texas could go. It would be a pretty good spot i think

[Steph]

I'd like to eventually see another Canadian regional, but on the west coast. We have two in Ontario now, which is awesome, but with new teams being added every year on the Canadian west coast I think a regional there would be awesome.

[pyroslev]

VCU is getting a bit crowded. ANyone who went this year knows how big the pits were. A regional in Central NC or maybe Hampton Roads would take the pressure off VCU.

[MrToast]

Originally Posted by pakrat

... I'm sure that BYU and UofU would start some teams with a regional so close....

Actually, you're more correct than you think. BYU has tons of great organizations that would LOVE to help with a FIRST team (mini baja, anyone?)! I've also been in touch with a local high school's (Orem High School) Robotics club () (both the teacher advisor and the student president), and they are both VERY interested in starting up a FIRST team. They even have the school facilities to do it: classes like "Small Vehicle Tech", "Welding", "CAD and Drafting", etc. Man, why couldn't I have gone to a high school like that??

Dave

[MrToast]

Provo, Utah!

Brigham Young University has one of the largest enclosed arenas in the world (The Marriott Center), we've got lots of hotels (for all them college families), lots of parking, a 20 lane bowling alley in the student center, all the important stuff!

It'd be a nice in-between location for the teams out west that think Denver is a bit too far, and the teams out east that think Vegas is too much temptation.

Either that or Salt Lake City's Delta Center or something.

[edit] I think pakrat's on to something.... [/edit]

Dave