2005-2006 Stanford Stadium Renovation
From Palo Alto Wiki
2005-2006 Stanford Stadium renovation plans were authorized by the university Board of Trustees in June 2006. The extensive plans would both reduce its size and bring it up to date with present standards for sporting venues. The capacity would be reduced to 50,026 rom 85,000 and more concession areas would be added. Various justifications for the renovation included poor sightlines in the existing stadium (rendering the bottom 14 rows unusable), long stairways, and lack of adequate restroom facilities.
Work began two days after the Cardinal's last home game of the 2005 football season, a close loss to Notre Dame on November 26. However, bulldozers began tearing out the natural field turf in a ceremony held while attendees were still in the stadium for the game.
The reduction in capacity was a strategic decision by Stanford's Athletics Program to boost season ticket sales and create a more intimate playing atmosphere while sacrificing the ability to host large world-class events, such as the FIFA World Cup, NCAA Football Bowl Games, or World Track and Field Championships in the future. This is partially the result of San Francisco's failure to secure a bid for the 2012 Olympics, which would have featured a renovated Stanford Stadium as the main Olympic Venue.
The renovated stadium was originally to make its debut in Stanford's game against San Jose State on September 9, 2006, but the game had to be relocated to San Jose due to an unusually wet winter and resulting construction delays.
The entire project took only 42 weeks to complete.
Contents |
[edit] The Renovation Team
[edit] John Arrillaga
- Representative on Stanford stadium project. Arrillaga served as "team owner" - contractors only had to answer to Arrillaga.
- Real estate contractor
- Stanford Class of 1960 and a member of Stanford’s Athletic Hall of Fame
- Long-time benefactor of the athletic program; donated $100 million in May, 2006.
[edit] Vance Brown Builders
- Based in Palo Alto
- Has long time relationship with Stanford and Arrillaga (renovated Sunken Diamond, Maples Pavilion). Was first time building a stadium, however.
[edit] Loren Brown, President
[edit] Rod Humble, Project Manager
- Given control over design and players
[edit] Hoover Associates architectural firm
[edit] Subcontractors
- 49 subcontractors
- Humble had a personal relationship with the owners of 46 of them
[edit] Workers
- Average of 110-125 workers, 50 at night and upward of 420 at its peak
- First shift: 7 am - 7 pm, six days; Second shift: 2 pm - 10:30 pm, six days
[edit] Delays
- Weather: Series of storms in March and April resulted in a 60-day suspension of grading operations. Soil had to be treated with lime to harden it ($10,000/day).
- Tragedy: On June 22, 2006, a construction worker from Stockton fell 23 feet to his death on site. A very sharp tool used to align beams impaled him when he landed. Emergency personnel responded within 5 minutes, but were unable to revive the worker. The tragedy stopped all work in the immediate area so Santa Clara County sheriffs could investigate for possible murder. The worker had a wife and two young daughters.
[edit] Pre-Grand Opening Celebrations
[edit] Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2006
The community gathered for a noon pep rally at Lytton Plaza. Stanford’s head football coach Walt Harris and members of the team were on hand for the “Rally in the Plaza” along with Palo Alto dignitaries and community leaders.
[edit] Friday, Sept. 15, 2006
The celebration continued with a Grand Opening Block party, sponsored by the City of Palo Alto. It ran from 6-7:15 p.m. at the Civic Center Plaza and brought Stanford Athletics and City representatives together for an official hand off of the city’s ceremonial scissors, which was used for the Grand Opening ribbon cutting. Entertainment, contests, giveaways and special appearances from former Stanford football greats, the Navy “Leap Frog” parachute team and other dignitaries were also scheduled.
[edit] Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006
Fans were asked to take part in the pregame ceremonies that begin at 6:25 p.m. Kickoff for the Stanford-Navy game was at 7 p.m. There was a U.S. Navy jet flyover and the Navy "Leap Frog" team sky dived into the stadium. They were followed by a huge card stunt, an opening ceremony, and fireworks.
[edit] Renovation Timeline
- Nov. 19, 2005: The final Big Game between Stanford and Cal in the old Stanford Stadium.
- Nov. 23, 2005: Stanford Stadium is closed to the public. No more running on the track or up the stairs.
- Nov. 26, 2005: Stanford football’s season closer against Notre Dame. Stadium decommission began immediately following the game with the general public allowed down on the field, with some taking home clumps of turf as souveniers.
- Nov. 28, 2005: Demolition of existing Stanford Stadium. Construction is scheduled to take place six days a week, with two overlapping shifts from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- December 2005: Lower Bowl and new tunnel construction.
- January 2006: Re-seating and new seating criteria announced; public information meetings set.
- February 2006: Upper Bowl construction.
- March 2006: Construction of press box.
- April 2006: Upper Bowl seat installation.
- May 2006: Forming and pouring of concrete for Lower Bowl seating; Lower Concourse concession and restroom buildings.
- July 2006: Field (grass) installation.
- September 2006: Final inspections.
- Sept. 16, 2006: Grand Opening of the new Stanford Stadium; pre-game ceremonies at 6:25 p.m. followed by kickoff of Stanford vs. Navy at 7 p.m.
