Halifax Stadium Discussion

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

Should the name of this thread be changed to Halifax Stadium Discussion? When I started this thread, I didn't intend for it to be deceptive. However, the title seems to imply that this is an actual proposal. Hopefully the HRM and other levels of government will go ahead with a stadium in the near future but for now it is just a strong desire and not a proposal.

I have been working on a computer model of a stadium based on the InfoCision field in Akron Ohio but with some modifications. Initially, I did a model based on the ancient Epidaurus amphitheater concept but it didn't work well for a large stadium. Because of the requirements for washrooms and other facilities it just isn't an attractive concept for a large stadium. However, a stadium like the InfoCision Stadium has a lot of room in the end zones for landscaping. Great landscaping could help to make it a great stadium. I won't be able to do the landscaping portion justice with my computer model.

Once the second model, based on InfoCision stadium, is complete, I will upload the 3-D computer model to Google Earth and see if I can paste it on the DND site and possibly other sites.

Excellent... the DND lands with a stadium and good landscaping would change the feel of that part of town.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Imagine something like this right next to Superstore and across from the Forum... it would make the whole area seem coherent and the views from inside the stadium out to the harbour would be incredible (they are already pretty good looking down Windsor)

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

Imagine something like this right next to Superstore and across from the Forum... it would make the whole area seem coherent and the views from inside the stadium out to the harbour would be incredible (they are already pretty good looking down Windsor)

Yes, this would be a great exterior for the stadium. I will see if I can copy this exterior scheme on the computer model. The height looks about right since the stadium can be sunken by about 15 - 20 feet.

[fenwick16]

I did a 3D model of a stadium design, loosely based on the InfoCision stadium in Akron, Ohio ( http://shopping.ohio.com/SS/Page.aspx?secid=69534&sstarg=&pagenum=5 ). That stadium cost $61 million to build. However, it has a large media tower and a higher second tier of seats. Also, it doesn't have the corner sections of seats as in the 3D model.

The 3D model field dimensions are 235 feet wide (20 feet extra on each side line) and 480 feet long (15 feet extra in each end zone). Based on other stadium designs for Canadian Football, this would be a fairly compact design. With all seats, it would have a seating capacity of 29,000 (40 rows high). With all bench style seating, it would be about 31,000. It could be expanded to 40,000 by completing both tiers of seats in the end zones. This is based on seats being 20" wide and bench style being 18" wide and having a 4 foot aisle way every 24 seats (for calculations, but in the model the sections are wider than this). Temporary stands could easily be set up in the end zones.

At 40 rows high, it is still quite low in height (about 40 feet from street level to the top of the seating rows). It is sunken by about 15 feet and the entrance gates would be raised by about 10 feet from street level. The row widths are 30 inches (this seems like a typical row width for stadiums, and it would not be cramped). The bottom tier of seating has a rise of 16 inches per row and the upper section is 18 inches per row. This should provide good vision of the field and is based on other stadiums and the book "Stadia, Fourth Edition: A Design and Development Guide"

The seats are arranged to allow for two roof sections that would completely cover the seating sections. The field and end zones would remain open. For the Halifax climate, it seems that an important criteria will be protection from the rain (or sun during the summer). It seems that most new stadium are currently being designed with some protection from the elements. For concerts, there would be additional room in the end zones and the field for concert goers. I would expect it to have a capacity of about 40,000-45,000 for concerts (without having to expand the stadium).

The end zones could be landscaped with flowers, bushes and trees. I uploaded the actual 3D model to Google 3D Sketchup. If anyone would like to download it then search for Halifax Stadium in the Google Sketchup 3D Warehouse. I attached a 2D image above. I think that the actual 3D model looks better than the 2D image above.

[MonctonRad]

Good Lord Fenwick, you're really dedicated to this cause given the fact that you posted the above at 4 in the morning on Christmas night!!

Good work BTW.

[fenwick16]

Thanks Monctonrad. I have become hooked on the Google Sketchup Program. It is surprisingly a very powerful software program, especially since I am using the free version. I had planned to load this into Google Earth but then I read in their Terms and Conditions that models must be based on actual structures. However, it is uploaded to the 3D warehouse.

Today I am going to work on the roof sections, and maybe add some of the stadium railings (the ones I left out), entrance gates, and stadium vehicle ramp that I left out. On one side of the stadium (not visible), I have washroom and concession facilities and stairs leading up to the second tier.

[-Harlington-]

great job fenwick, it sounds like you put alot of work into it not just the design but the information as well.

[hfx_chris]

Very nice fenwick. Very nice indeed!

Maybe when you're done tweaking the model, you can try it in a few other locations we've discussed here, including the Wanderers Grounds, Common skate park, Northcliffe area by Lacewood Drive, and any others that have been mentioned.
Great job!

[fenwick16]

Here is another view. The height of the stadium could be reduced further by removing the 12 foot high luxury seating section (the window in the image). This would reduce the cost but also reduce the area available under the stands for washrooms, concessions, luxury seating and handicapped seating. As drawn, people enter the lower bowl from walking down from the first concourse level and enter the upper tier by using stairs to get to the second concourse level which would be on top of the luxury seats/washrooms/concessions. Another way would be to have one concourse level from which people would either go up or down through entrance gates from the single concourse (as drawn in the upper tier). However, this would eliminate the luxury seating section (which could also be used as a media center). It would also result in narrow corridors unless the stadium is made wider. But if the stadium is made wider then this would once again increase the cost.

I like this configuration (above) because it results in a more compact stadium (although higher). This stadium would fit on more sites in the Halifax area. It also leaves lots of room for luxury seating which is important in modern stadiums. If (or when) Halifax gets a CFL team then there would also be room for media areas for broadcasting the games. Since the upper tier is close to the field and raised by 12 feet, it is necessary for the upper bowl to be slightly steeper than the first in order to see the sidelines. This is why the second tier seating has a rise of 18 inches per row instead of the 16 inches per row in the lower tier.

The very first row of seats in the first tier (lower bowl) is set back by 20 feet from the sidelines to allow room for players and also so that the upper tier can see to the edge of the playing field (but not to the very edge of the actual field which is not required since this is just the player area). The set back of 20 feet on the sidelines is not excessive compared to other stadiums.

A different configuration would be to have a concourse in front of the upper tier from which people can either go up or down (as in the Halifax Metro Centre). However this would move the upper stands further from the field (or reduce the capacity). The stadium roof area over the stands (not shown) would have to be larger in area in order to cover all of the stands (for the same capacity); if there is no roof, then this concourse would be open to the elements

I believe that the configuration that I drew is the most compact although not the lowest. If someone knows a better configuration then please post it (just remember that luxury seating might be desired in the future).

[Empire]

Excellent work on the 3D model fenwick. If built at Willow Park what do you think of the name [WILLOW PARK MEMORIAL STADIUM]? This could be an official tribute to the Halifax explosion. Perhaps the CFL team could be called the Halifax Explosion?

[fenwick16]

This would be a very fitting name since it is so close to the site of the Halifax Explosion. The 100th year anniversary will be in 2017.

Originally Posted by Empire

Excellent work on the 3D model fenwick. If built at Willow Park what do you think of [WILLOW PARK MEMORIAL STADIUM]?

[cormiermax]

Great job Fenwick.

[fenwick16]

Since the response seems to be positive to this design, I would like to have an actual 3D model made. I know someone who will convert the 3D model to CNC code so that it can be machined into bass wood. Then once it is made we will paint and glue actual seats on it to make it more realistic. We could present this to the HRM councillors.

The actual model will be a good way to check the sight-lines for various seats in the stadium. Sections of roofing could be added later. Also, a front section will gates can be added later

The actual model will take about 2 weeks. I will take pictures once it is complete. If Councillor Dawn Sloan can arrange a meeting with a few of the councillors then we could present it to them.

[fenwick16]

THE WEBSITE IS UP AND RUNNING AT http://halifaxstadium.ca/ .

It is just preliminary. More information will be added as time goes by. If there are any suggestions or graphics that should be added then please let me know by the private message function of this forum.

[Dalreg]

The model isn't too bad, but not that great either. Guess it would be a start though.

If money is the issue one larger tier instead of two smaller ones would be even cheaper. luxury boxes could be built on top of the tier which again would probably be cheaper. thick the smaller side of Taylor field in Regina.

[fenwick16]

I like symmetrical stadiums such as MaMahon Stadium and Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium. The new Winnipeg Stadium is also designed as a symmetrical stadium. I don't think that Halifax would be happy with the cheapest design nor would they want the most expensive design; probably something in between.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

I like symmetrical stadiums such as MaMahon Stadium and Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium. The new Winnipeg Stadium is also designed as a symmetrical stadium.

You are doing amazing work on this project.

How hard will it be to conceptualize the landscaping? I think it will be an important part of selling the idea to council/public who generally have concerns about green space, etc.

What about a parking garage across the street to increase the parking in the area?

[Empire]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

This would be a very fitting name since it is so close to the site of the Halifax Explosion. The 100th year anniversary will be in 2017.

The Stadium is directly under the path that the broken anchor took after the explosion in the harbour. The anchor from the Mont Blanc landed in the Edmonds Grounds 2.4 miles from the explosion site. Maybe the anchor could be moved to the Stadium entrance where it would receive much more exposure.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

THE WEBSITE IS UP AND RUNNING AT http://halifaxstadium.ca/ .

It is just preliminary. More information will be added as time goes by. If there are any suggestions or graphics that should be added then please let me know by the private message function of this forum.

Great start! Are you planning a counter?

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

You are doing amazing work on this project.

How hard will it be to conceptualize the landscaping? I think it will be an important part of selling the idea to council/public who generally have concerns about green space, etc.

What about a parking garage across the street to increase the parking in the area?

Thanks for the comments worldlyhaligonian. I hope to have a design that reflects the comments of all the previous threads; a compact stadium with seats close to the field, one that can be easily expanded and one that is based on the InfoCision Stadium which seemed to be a popular design on this thread. I also think that landscaping is a very important part of the design. Ten feet from ground level there is a 6 foot area around the stadium that could have bushes and small trees (this comes from the excavated soil from the partially sunken bowl). There is also room around the exterior of the stadium at street level. So there could be two levels of landscaping around the exterior of the stadium, and inside the stadium there would be room on the end zone hills and at the top of the hills (where grass is shown).

I still want to incorporate the Morgan State building that you posted previously. If this was at the front of the stadium where it is currently open, then it could be used for entrance gates, retail, commercial space, and residential/hotel space. And then it would be a money making portion of the stadium and also give it a very impressive exterior. This could be added to the model as an option (so as not to increase the actual stadium cost). This would also help to close off the stadium to give more shelter to the spectators.

A parking garage could be built across the street when required. This could be built on the Halifax forum parking site. If this part of the city becomes a more popular commercial area then the parking garage would likely be a money making operation and be needed in the area. The Halifax Metro Park is a nice design for a parking garage.