[BB] What Do You Want at St. Louis Championships

[EricH]

Originally Posted by viking

After further inspection, I am realizing that Hall 6 is directly under? the football stadium. Interesting.

"What, behind the rabbit?"
"No. It is the rabbit."

The venue in St. Louis is large enough for the pits and fields and spectators for all 4 events at the Championship. However, I'm 99% certain that it would be difficult to get a second field per division in there.

I've been there, and I'd say that it would be possible to get those extra fields if and only if FTC and FLL and JFLL were held in the America's Ballroom (upstairs from the convention halls) and the theater in the complex and the other side rooms, or in a lobby area on the second floor. That would clear a space where Franklin and Edison typically go, and open up Einstein for use in matches. Some clever floor arrangement could get the rest of the space. I don't think it's worth the effort, though, particularly since now you're taking FTC and FLL robots up stairs.

[Ian Curtis]

Originally Posted by EricH

I've been there, and I'd say that it would be possible to get those extra fields if and only if FTC and FLL and JFLL were held in the America's Ballroom (upstairs from the convention halls) and the theater in the complex and the other side rooms, or in a lobby area on the second floor. That would clear a space where Franklin and Edison typically go, and open up Einstein for use in matches. Some clever floor arrangement could get the rest of the space. I don't think it's worth the effort, though, particularly since now you're taking FTC and FLL robots up stairs.

It never made much sense to me why the FLL field was on the floor of the Dome. I competed in the FLL World Festival in 2003 and 2005. In 2003 it wasn't on Einstein, and in 2005 it was.

We were a bit disappointed in 2003 to find that we were somewhat of a "side show" to the big robots. That said, we were near the pathway between the pits and the field, so we got to watch robots stream by all day. However, being in our own little world meant we could speak to the judges in a normal speaking tone, and watch other robots compete.

On the floor of the Dome, we did get to see the FRC robots competing, but they still were never really introduced to us (I was already on 1276 though, so I took a great interest! ). That said, it still felt sort of like a side show because we couldn't hear ourselves think over the noise from Curie and Galileo. The path was also not well marked between areas (this may have changed in the past 5 years) so we managed to get very lost between the GWCC and the Dome.

The mesh never seemed quite right. My dad was really interested in FRC in 2003, so he went out of his way to talk to FRC teams about the program, and we even had one team (the robot was green, I think it was MOE) who showed us kids all sorts of neat-o robot stuff. In 2006 when 1276 went as an FRC team, we went out of our way to show our robot to Maine's FLL team. Through official channels we learned surprising little about the big robots travelling every which way round us.

[Andrew Bates]

Is there anything like the CNN center for food near the site of the championships in St. Louis. If not is there anyway FIRST could bring in cheap affordable vendors.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by corpralchee

Is there anything like the CNN center for food near the site of the championships in St. Louis. If not is there anyway FIRST could bring in cheap affordable vendors.

No and yes. Union Station is a ways away. (2 stops on the Metrolink, IIRC.)

However, don't bring in cheap affordable vendors when they're already there. $5 for a plate of good spaghetti, and that's just one of the options. Just make sure that you go to the carts, NOT the stands. (And, make sure the carts are out--if anyone in FRC operations sees this, it would be a good idea to confirm that they will be out during the event.)

There are also a large number of places within a few minutes' walk. They range from fast food/subs all the way up to T.G.I. Friday's or better. Or send someone for pizza or something like that--there are some good places in a short radius.

I've been working on a writeup on the area around the America's Center for a little while now. Guess I better finish it up pretty quickly...

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by EricH

However, don't bring in cheap affordable vendors when they're already there.

by this you mean that they dont charge you an extra $1 for cheese on your $10 hamburger?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Wildcat

by this you mean that they dont charge you an extra $1 for cheese on your $10 hamburger?

If you go to one of the carts, nope. I don't know about the stands; they're more expensive than the carts. (And trust me, the one time I went to one, I got a salad instead of a more expensive sandwich.)

The carts don't have anything more than about $5, IIRC.

[gvarndell]

I would like for my mother-in-law and my son to be allowed to use elevators and/or escalators, as needed, and without suffering any indignity for needing to.
Even if it means they might have to pass through a VIP area.

[JaneYoung]

Many teams shop for groceries to make healthy breakfasts, lunches, and snacks for their teams. It would be totally AWEsome to have information provided in advance so that teams that will be traveling to St. Louis for the Championship event will know what is available and where. Names of the businesses and maps/distances would be very helpful. If nothing is close by for teams in the way of groceries - that information is very important to know - and if possible, alternative solutions be created/provided that won't destroy already tight budgets.

It's very cool that the Robo Prom was mentioned. Now would be a great time for folks to say if they think it is valuable and an asset to the event.

Jane

[sithmonkey13]

Originally Posted by EricH

No and yes. Union Station is a ways away. (2 stops on the Metrolink, IIRC.)

I live in St. Louis and go to places repeatedly. Union Station used to be full of shops, but because of the economy, their are very few shops and vendors there nowadays, but there still a couple vendors left (like Hardrock Cafe). I will be back in the area by the end of the week, so I will try and let you guys know what is available.

[Jon236]

It would be great for a local like yourself give us an idea of what's good and reasonable in the area for the teams!

It might require some sacrifice on your part to do some serious sampling.......

[sithmonkey13]

Originally Posted by Jon236

It might require some sacrifice on your part to do some serious sampling.......

Anything to make FIRST more enjoyable for everyone else.

[EricH]

I might have to get at a handbook I was given when attending a conference last winter at the America's Center. I think there were 80+ places to eat within a short walk; it wouldn't hurt for someone to see if they're still there. Handbook's at home, I'm at school 1500 miles away... Plus it has a map of where stuff is. (Or maybe my parents could get at it and get you a list of places to check...)

Or, simple solution to food: Send someone for Imo's. That's some good pizza...

[sithmonkey13]

Just got back from Union Station. Places to eat there include: Hardrock Cafe, Panda Express, Subway, Quiznos Subs, Gateway Burgers, Tollhouse cookies and ice cream (a Tollhouse stand), and various places for pizza, burgers, philly cheese steak sandwiches, fudge and more. Definitely a variety in eating choices if you choose to take the trip away from the stadium. Although in a previous post I said that the station was empty because of the economy, several new places have opened up (like Gateway Burgers, I suggest eating there, as they serve top quality food for a fair price.)

[synth3tk]

Thanks for the intel!

[Jon236]

Where would the best rib joint be?