Cowboys Draw Thousands Of Arlington Residents For Open House

Estimated Crowd Of 30,000 Turns Out For  Free Open House At Cowboys Stadium

The Cowboys yesterday held an open house at their new stadium to "show appreciation to Arlington residents who voted in 2004 to help pay for part of the facility," according to Tawnell Hobbs of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. There was no cost for the four-hour open house at Cowboys Stadium, but fans did have to show "proof of residency in Arlington, with a utility bill or driver's license." The attendees "had access to the main concourse and seating areas and were allowed to shoot video and snap pictures." They were using "words such as 'amazing,' 'gigantic,' 'beautiful' and 'impressive' to describe" the stadium. Parking at the stadium was also free, and the "concession stands were open" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/10). In Ft. Worth, Susan Schrock reports the open house drew an estimated 30,000 residents. Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck said that he "talked to many residents during the open house who told him that they voted against the stadium but have changed their minds." Cluck: "Everybody I've talked to is really excited about what they are seeing. I can't help but believe this is going to be a big win for us economically" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 8/10).

PERMANENT VACATION: In Oklahoma City, Berry Tramel writes the Big 12 Championship Game "seems headed for a permanent home in Arlington," as Cowboys Stadium is "too nice, too new, too loaded with amenities, to think about returning to the aging Alamodome or too frigid Arrowhead Stadium." Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe: "That'll be under serious consideration. Lock it in, now you have a chance to build a fan base that's going to go every year. That's attractive in football." Tramel notes Beebe has repeatedly said that league presidents "have indicated a preference for moving around their marquee events." But Beebe said, "They haven't seen this." Meanwhile, Univ. of Colorado football coach Dan Hawkins after a recent tour of the stadium "seemed ready to cast his vote for Arlington." Hawkins, on the stadium, "Something else, something else" (DAILY OKLAHOMAN, 8/10).