http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/columns/voisin/story/11815658p-12703455c.html
By Ailene Voisin -- Bee Sports Columnist
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, December 19, 2004
What's an arena?
It's not what you think.
No longer just a place to watch a game or listen to music, the modern NBA facility has become an extension of the family den, complete with comfy couch, big-screen television and remote control, and easy access to the computer, refrigerator, dining room, restroom and parking gargage. And consistent with the housing market, of course, the asking price remains steep; the days of the $40 million Arco Arena are long gone.
The league's three newest structures in San Antonio (2002), Houston (2003) and Memphis (2004) averaged approximately $215 million in construction costs, with the future home of the expansion Charlotte Bobcats projected at $265 million.
Yet while the latest models emphasize ambience and attempt to reflect a particular region's identity - in sharp contrast to the glut of sterile, cavernous facilities that sprouted in Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia, etc., in the mid-1990s - Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis remains the crown jewel.
Completed in 1999 for $183 million, the Pacers' downtown home is a classic charmer with its field-house facade, breezy, spacious entry way that funnels fans toward concourses framed with display cases and memorabilia dating to the days of the peach basket. Inside the arena bowl itself, the sight lines are excellent, and the seating is steeply angled to afford clear views from virtually every vantage point.
One can imagine Gene Hackman strolling the sidelines with a clipboard, and team president Larry Bird, in fact, is often observed standing in the tunnel.
"Conseco is the best in terms of aesthetics, though the scoreboard doesn't measure up," said well-traveled NBA fan Jim Goldstein, a familiar sight around the league with his shoulder-length hair, perpetual tan and colorful leather clothing ensembles. "The other things I look for are nice club areas, food that captures the local flavor and architecture that is unique to the area. San Antonio, for instance, has done a really good job of making you feel some of the city's uniqueness."
A longtime Kings fan, Goldstein envisions a future home court that retains the intimacy of Arco but improves the club scene and food selections. "And a downtown location would be more interesting," the L.A.-based entrepreneur said, "though access is good where it is now (Natomas)."
Now, for a few of my own suggestions.
1. Follow the Conseco Fieldhouse blueprint. The Hoosiers absolutely dominate the competition.
2. Duplicate that home-court edge. Arco is among only a handful of arenas that sustain an enviable noise level, largely because of the impassioned fan base, their cozy proximity to the court and a reasonable number of seats. Others include the Delta Center (Utah), America West (Phoenix), the Arena in Oakland and KeyArena (Seattle). We would also give props to the American Airlines Center in Dallas and SBC Center in San Antonio if the excessive fan prompts were minimized and the faux noise level (music, bells and whistles, public address announcer) significantly reduced. At these prices, who can afford to go deaf?
3. The luxury suites at the SBC Center and FedExForum in Memphis were specifically designed to accommodate the relatively small corporate base and economic limitations of their respective business communities. Makes too much sense.
4. Then again, you get what you pay for. Though the Palace of Auburn Hills was built in 1988 - the same year as Arco - the Detroit Pistons' $70 million facility remains an attractive and totally functional structure. Continential Airlines Arena (1981) in East Rutherford, N.J., is the oldest NBA venue that has not undergone major renovations, followed by Arco and Milwaukee's Bradley Center (1988). Like the Kings, the Nets and Bucks are in negotiations for new arenas - the Nets looking toward Brooklyn, N.Y., the Bucks on their current site.
5. Houston, we have a ... flying saucer? Cool. The Toyota Center's round exterior appropriately resembles something from outer space, and the lush interior exudes class and comfort. This is an elegant facility.
6. Hire the chefs from San Antonio. The atmosphere tantalizes with the aroma of Mexican cuisine and, of course, the full-bodied scent of strawberry margaritas.
7. Nurture your community. Former Charlotte Hornets owner George Shinn completely alienated civic leaders with his unprofessional approach and got exactly what he wanted and what he deserved: a change of venue to a questionable market. The bad karma accompanied him to the Big Easy.
8. Offer use of the facility to the public. The Milwaukee Bucks, for instance, have conducted meet-and-greet sessions with players and fans in the attractive foyer of the Bradley Center, while Memphis Grizzlies officials - mindful that the public financed the facility - have offered their expansive entry way and practice court for public and private functions.
9. Think small but think big. As demonstrated in Indianapolis, Memphis, San Antonio, Portland and Salt Lake City, creative minds do not reside exclusively in major metropolitan regions. The Los Angeles Clippers will always be a mess. Ditto for the Nets.
10. If a downtown location is truly cost-prohibitive and unduly complicated, then keep it close. Natomas is right next door anyway.
Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@sacbee.com.
By Ailene Voisin -- Bee Sports Columnist
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, December 19, 2004
What's an arena?
It's not what you think.
No longer just a place to watch a game or listen to music, the modern NBA facility has become an extension of the family den, complete with comfy couch, big-screen television and remote control, and easy access to the computer, refrigerator, dining room, restroom and parking gargage. And consistent with the housing market, of course, the asking price remains steep; the days of the $40 million Arco Arena are long gone.
The league's three newest structures in San Antonio (2002), Houston (2003) and Memphis (2004) averaged approximately $215 million in construction costs, with the future home of the expansion Charlotte Bobcats projected at $265 million.
Yet while the latest models emphasize ambience and attempt to reflect a particular region's identity - in sharp contrast to the glut of sterile, cavernous facilities that sprouted in Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia, etc., in the mid-1990s - Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis remains the crown jewel.
Completed in 1999 for $183 million, the Pacers' downtown home is a classic charmer with its field-house facade, breezy, spacious entry way that funnels fans toward concourses framed with display cases and memorabilia dating to the days of the peach basket. Inside the arena bowl itself, the sight lines are excellent, and the seating is steeply angled to afford clear views from virtually every vantage point.
One can imagine Gene Hackman strolling the sidelines with a clipboard, and team president Larry Bird, in fact, is often observed standing in the tunnel.
"Conseco is the best in terms of aesthetics, though the scoreboard doesn't measure up," said well-traveled NBA fan Jim Goldstein, a familiar sight around the league with his shoulder-length hair, perpetual tan and colorful leather clothing ensembles. "The other things I look for are nice club areas, food that captures the local flavor and architecture that is unique to the area. San Antonio, for instance, has done a really good job of making you feel some of the city's uniqueness."
A longtime Kings fan, Goldstein envisions a future home court that retains the intimacy of Arco but improves the club scene and food selections. "And a downtown location would be more interesting," the L.A.-based entrepreneur said, "though access is good where it is now (Natomas)."
Now, for a few of my own suggestions.
1. Follow the Conseco Fieldhouse blueprint. The Hoosiers absolutely dominate the competition.
2. Duplicate that home-court edge. Arco is among only a handful of arenas that sustain an enviable noise level, largely because of the impassioned fan base, their cozy proximity to the court and a reasonable number of seats. Others include the Delta Center (Utah), America West (Phoenix), the Arena in Oakland and KeyArena (Seattle). We would also give props to the American Airlines Center in Dallas and SBC Center in San Antonio if the excessive fan prompts were minimized and the faux noise level (music, bells and whistles, public address announcer) significantly reduced. At these prices, who can afford to go deaf?
3. The luxury suites at the SBC Center and FedExForum in Memphis were specifically designed to accommodate the relatively small corporate base and economic limitations of their respective business communities. Makes too much sense.
4. Then again, you get what you pay for. Though the Palace of Auburn Hills was built in 1988 - the same year as Arco - the Detroit Pistons' $70 million facility remains an attractive and totally functional structure. Continential Airlines Arena (1981) in East Rutherford, N.J., is the oldest NBA venue that has not undergone major renovations, followed by Arco and Milwaukee's Bradley Center (1988). Like the Kings, the Nets and Bucks are in negotiations for new arenas - the Nets looking toward Brooklyn, N.Y., the Bucks on their current site.
5. Houston, we have a ... flying saucer? Cool. The Toyota Center's round exterior appropriately resembles something from outer space, and the lush interior exudes class and comfort. This is an elegant facility.
6. Hire the chefs from San Antonio. The atmosphere tantalizes with the aroma of Mexican cuisine and, of course, the full-bodied scent of strawberry margaritas.
7. Nurture your community. Former Charlotte Hornets owner George Shinn completely alienated civic leaders with his unprofessional approach and got exactly what he wanted and what he deserved: a change of venue to a questionable market. The bad karma accompanied him to the Big Easy.
8. Offer use of the facility to the public. The Milwaukee Bucks, for instance, have conducted meet-and-greet sessions with players and fans in the attractive foyer of the Bradley Center, while Memphis Grizzlies officials - mindful that the public financed the facility - have offered their expansive entry way and practice court for public and private functions.
9. Think small but think big. As demonstrated in Indianapolis, Memphis, San Antonio, Portland and Salt Lake City, creative minds do not reside exclusively in major metropolitan regions. The Los Angeles Clippers will always be a mess. Ditto for the Nets.
10. If a downtown location is truly cost-prohibitive and unduly complicated, then keep it close. Natomas is right next door anyway.
Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@sacbee.com.
