Future of WPI Events

[dpraedan]

Students at WPI just got an email blast about the new athletic center being built, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that they have dedicated space in the new 114,000 sf center to pits for robotics events. Below is an image of the floorplan. More info here.

[synth3tk]

Now that's just flippin' awesome!!! Congrats!!!

[Andrew Bates]

What will they be using that space for the rest of the year? It's great and all to think about what events use your facilities and design accordingly but right now there are two events that I know of that need robot pits. Presumably they aren't going to build this large open area and use it twice a year...

[ahecht]

Originally Posted by corpralchee

What will they be using that space for the rest of the year? It's great and all to think about what events use your facilities and design accordingly but right now there are two events that I know of that need robot pits. Presumably they aren't going to build this large open area and use it twice a year...

There are plenty of events that could take advantage of a convention-hall-like space that I can think of:

• WPI Regional
• Battlecry
• Robonautica (FLL)
• Savage Soccer
• Frontiers
• Junior Robotics Challenge
• Worcester Regional Science and Engineering Fair
• Destination Imagination

[Matt C]

Originally Posted by ahecht

There are plenty of events that could take advantage of a convention-hall-like space that I can think of:

And when there aren't any events, maybe it could be a sort of Mega-Wedge!

[Alex Cormier]

Looks like they are mapping out enough spaces for 55/56 teams.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Alex Cormier

Looks like they are mapping out enough spaces for 55/56 teams.

It fits Battlecry well.
I guess they wanted the WPI regional to get bigger too.

[MikeE]

The robot pits appear to be one floor below the gymnasium level, but with a nice view of the swimming pool.

Unless...

...it's advanced notice of a future season's underwater game?

[kjolana1124]

Just goes to show how FIRST is getting seen as more of a sporting like event every day. This keeps up soon one of Dean's robotic arms will be sending out a first pitch.

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by MikeE

The robot pits appear to be one floor below the gymnasium level, but with a nice view of the swimming pool.

Unless...

...it's advanced notice of a future season's underwater game?

Notice the "Connection to Harrington" in the right side of the floor plan. This would indicate that the field would continue to be in Harrington while the pits would be in the new athletic center. Eliminating pits in Harrington would allow for the field to be centered on the basketball court, thus opening up the other side of seating (and doubling participant capacity).

[dk5sm5luigi]

The space is actually pretty cool. Power will be built into each pit. Screens are being built into the walls for rankings and possibly even video. The space is at the same level as Harrington and will have an easy path to get there while being inside the entire time.

When we won't be having competitions the space will probably be used for yoga and other such things.

[Jon236]

Originally Posted by Alex Cormier

Looks like they are mapping out enough spaces for 55/56 teams.

So.....where is everyone going to park?

[Isaac501]

Originally Posted by Jon236

So.....where is everyone going to park?

A most excellent question =)

[Jon236]

Originally Posted by Isaac501

A most excellent question =)

Perhaps in Connecticut

[Isaac501]

Well, most events are on the weekend, so they can use Founder's Lot, assuming WPI lets them.. There's the tiny lot at the 'Chopper down the hill, but no good for teams hauling gear .. So might as well be somewhere in Cownecticut