2009 Championships

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by RMiller

Some of the volunteers at MN came up with what I thought was a great idea. Have major cities bid on hosting similar to the Olympics. That would include the venue and places for celebrations.
I personally think that Minneapolis has a lot going for it. Either hosting at the U (similar to this past weekend, but also using the hockey rinks) or over near downtown with the Dome (they are all of two mi or so apart). What would really seal the deal is if we could order up a snow storm for the weekend so we could introduce all of you from the south to a nice Minnesota spring storm (we had about 6-10 inches fall yesterday!)

I cannot think of a setup in Minneapolis or St. Paul that would provide suitable space for an event the size of the championships. The pits this weekend seemed close to full with 54 teams and there is no way to put more than one field on a basketball court like Williams Arena. Using Marriucci and Ridder instead of Williams and the Sports Pavilion would get you closer (probably super regional size), but not near the capacity required for champs. Williams and the Sports Pavilion are not connected to Marriucci and Ridder via tunnels and even with all 4 buildings I think you'd fall short.

The Metrodome would be a fine replacement for the Georgia Dome if holding Champs in Minneapolis, but it is not connected or even adjacent to another building the size of GWCC building C.

Plus if my team ever qualifies or decides to go to Champs it better be somewhere warmer than here!

[RMiller]

Originally Posted by Vikesrock

I cannot think of a setup in Minneapolis or St. Paul that would provide suitable space for an event the size of the championships. The pits this weekend seemed close to full with 54 teams and there is no way to put more than one field on a basketball court like Williams Arena. Using Marriucci and Ridder instead of Williams and the Sports Pavilion would get you closer (probably super regional size), but not near the capacity required for champs. Williams and the Sports Pavilion are not connected to Marriucci and Ridder via tunnels and even with all 4 buildings I think you'd fall short.

Plus if my team ever qualifies or decides to go to Champs it better be somewhere warmer than here!

I was thinking about also using McNamara and the fieldhouse. However, you are right about not having the tunnel connections, especially in the case of a spring storm!
It is shorts weather most of the time in April, at least for most Minnesotans, but not too many others.

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by RMiller

I was thinking about also using McNamara and the fieldhouse. However, you are right about not having the tunnel connections, especially in the case of a spring storm!

Yeah, imagine everyone walking around with their robots outside on a day like yesterday, yuck!!!

[XaulZan11]

Originally Posted by Vikesrock

I cannot think of a setup in Minneapolis or St. Paul that would provide suitable space for an event the size of the championships. The pits this weekend seemed close to full with 54 teams and there is no way to put more than one field on a basketball court like Williams Arena. Using Marriucci and Ridder instead of Williams and the Sports Pavilion would get you closer (probably super regional size), but not near the capacity required for champs. Williams and the Sports Pavilion are not connected to Marriucci and Ridder via tunnels and even with all 4 buildings I think you'd fall short.

The Metrodome would be a fine replacement for the Georgia Dome if holding Champs in Minneapolis, but it is not connected or even adjacent to another building the size of GWCC building C.

Plus if my team ever qualifies or decides to go to Champs it better be somewhere warmer than here!

If the Minnesota Vikings (finally) get thier new stadium/complex (that would have a 270 room attached hotel), that could be an option. By the time it gets approved and built, global warming will make it hot in Minnesota in April

http://wcco.com/slideshows/20.346689.html?rid=0

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by The Lucas

Remember that one of the reasons Atlanta has all these things is due to them hosting the Summer Olympics, so we are basically using their setup. Not many places have a covered stadium and convention center so close together (yes I know Indy's RCA Dome & CC would work but see my warm weather point). Anyone who went to Houston knows how well 2 stadiums work

Walking.
Hurt.
Alot.

[Dancin103]

I would love it if Championships was in Disney. Disney has plenty of room to hold a FIRST championship. It would be so fun!

[TD78]

Originally Posted by Dancin103

I would love it if Championships was in Disney. Disney has plenty of room to hold a FIRST championship. It would be so fun!

It's not so much the room with Disney (as they have plenty of it), it's the venue. Where would you hold the fields and pits? This was done back in 2002 and before in tents, but we've outgrown those tents and now need something on the order of the GA Dome and GWCC to fulfill our needs.

[The Lucas]

Originally Posted by RollinTDollin

It's not so much the room with Disney (as they have plenty of it), it's the venue. Where would you hold the fields and pits? This was done back in 2002 and before in tents, but we've outgrown those tents and now need something on the order of the GA Dome and GWCC to fulfill our needs.

The new Jolstens Center in the Wide World of Sports should work for the Fields (6 basketball courts = 6 fields). I'm sure they could find some space for the pits in the rest of that complex.

[Corey Balint]

Originally Posted by The Lucas

The new Jolstens Center in the Wide World of Sports should work for the Fields. I'm sure they could find some space for the pits in the rest of that complex.

The layout does not look like it would allow for proper seating. I'm also not too sure if Disney would like thousands of people walking around on their well kept sod, destroying it and beating it down.

[TD78]

Originally Posted by The Lucas

The new Jolstens Center in the Wide World of Sports should work for the Fields (6 basketball courts = 6 fields). I'm sure they could find some space for the pits in the rest of that complex.

Cool place. It could no doubt hold all the fields. Now...where to put all the people...

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by Joe Matt

... move to someplace up north and have everyone comlpain about the high being 50, ...

50 is a warm day in Detroit in mid-April. We had snow on the way to Atlanta in 2004, and on the way back in 2007.

Originally Posted by Corey Balint

If Nationals/Championships was held in Detroit, I am 100% positive I wouldn't go. It is just not a safe city. There are far too many horror stories for a lot of school districts to allow there kids to go.

This undeserved reputation would be a detriment for holding it in Detroit. The areas around either Cobo or Ford Field are as safe as any major city. However, despite what Tomas says, the facilities just aren't up to it here. We'd either have to have two divisions each in separate buildings 1/2 mile apart (with pits in between) or have the pits outside in tents in 40-50 degree weather. It's not going to happen.

Originally Posted by Dancin103

I would love it if Championships was in Disney. Disney has plenty of room to hold a FIRST championship. It would be so fun!

Disney was a lot of fun when the Nationals were there. It simply does not have enough room for what the Championship has become. There were 20 FLL teams there as an exposition - VEX hadn't even been thought up yet - and they had to make their presentations in the hallway as FRC teams moved to and from the pits. "ROBOT, Robot coming through!" Even if it was still just FRC, I doubt they could handle the 246 teams guaranteed spots from the regionals, let alone allowing any other teams to register.

As this thread comes up year after year, we need to continue to remember the minimum needed just to run the event:

• Fully enclosed football-size stadium for competitions
• Ability to seat 20000 spectators on one side of the field for finals
• Attached convention center for pits
• Multiple meeting rooms for judging, symposium sessions, etc.

After that, we can think about hotels, transportation, extra-curricular things to do and see, etc.

Atlanta has it. It sounds like Indy and St Louis might also have it, but with cooler weather. Anywhere else?

[Joe Matt]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

50 is a warm day in Detroit in mid-April. We had snow on the way to Atlanta in 2004, and on the way back in 2007.

Both of which are rare occurances at their respective locations. It was 35 here when I woke up, part of the idea behind championships was that it was a celebration of the teams that did well, not just a really big regional. Nice, warm, weather in a safe environment is part of that celebration. Do you think we could hold the after party ouside in Detroit?

Stop preaching about how it'd be awesome if it was in your backyard just because you have so much hometown pride and realize that championships at that location just doesn't make much sense. Besides Atlanta, Orlando and Las Vegas are the only other really logicial locations.

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by Joe Matt

Both of which are rare occurances at their respective locations. It was 35 here when I woke up, part of the idea behind championships was that it was a celebration of the teams that did well, not just a really big regional. Nice, warm, weather in a safe environment is part of that celebration. Do you think we could hold the after party ouside in Detroit?

I think you misunderstand my point. I'm arguing against Detroit. The weather, while usually not snowy, is too unstable in April to consider. No, I don't think the party could be outside. Even if it was warm enough, chances are it would be raining.

[Tomasz Bania]

Originally Posted by Joe Matt

Both of which are rare occurances at their respective locations. It was 35 here when I woke up, part of the idea behind championships was that it was a celebration of the teams that did well, not just a really big regional. Nice, warm, weather in a safe environment is part of that celebration. Do you think we could hold the after party ouside in Detroit?

Stop preaching about how it'd be awesome if it was in your backyard just because you have so much hometown pride and realize that championships at that location just doesn't make much sense. Besides Atlanta, Orlando and Las Vegas are the only other really logicial locations.

It's definately not hometown pride, as I personally am not the greatest fan of Detroit in it's current state. I'm just stateing that it is a "possible" location. I could argue out St. Louis just as much as from me seeing it First-Hand, they definately have the venue space (can't remember the names of the venues, but they seemed equivalent to Ford Field and Comerica Park).

[Corey Balint]

Currently, as much as I hate to say it (I dislike Atlanta...it is kind of boring...), Atlanta is perfect for what FIRST needs as it stands. As long as Atlanta will have FIRST, I am sure FIRST will stay there.