Facility Notes
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Text Messaging System Monitoring Fan Behavior
Now Exists In All But Three NFL Stadiums |
In N.Y., Joe Lapointe looked at NFL stadium behavior and reported most of the league's stadiums "now post telephone numbers for fans to send text messages to summon security personnel" in the case of unruly fan behavior. NFL VP/Security Milt Ahlerich said that "only a few stadiums had the system at the start of the season," but that the number "quickly grew." He added that the system now is "in place in all but three stadiums: St. Louis, Tennessee and Green Bay." Ahlerich said that some NFL cities "have more offenders than others," though he would not be specific. Ahlerich: "Generally, the Midwest is more genteel." But NJSEA Exec VP/Facilities Jim Minish said that fans at Giants Stadium have "not used the text-messaging system as much as expected," and that security receives "between 8 and 12 messages a game." Minish: "Half of them are legitimate" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/11).
CUTTING BACK: ESPN.com's David Newton reported heavy machinery is "removing a section of stands" in Turns 1 and 2 at Lowe's Motor Speedway (LMS) to "make way for a luxury motor coach lot similar to what was done at Texas Motor Speedway." LMS officials said that details of "how many seats will be lost in the 150,000-seat facility remain to be worked out, but that the lot would be ready" for the May 16 Sprint All-Star Race and the May 24 Coca-Cola 600. Newton: "Don't be surprised to see other facilities that grew too fast under good economic times follow suit" (ESPN.com, 1/12).
INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH: City of Industry, California, Engineer John Ballas said that the city is "kicking in $35[M] to speed improvements to the nearby 57/60 freeway interchange" in anticipation of the construction of an NFL stadium. In California, Bethania Palma Markus noted Majestic Realty Chair & CEO Ed Roski Jr. has "proposed an $800[M] stadium entertainment complex for a 600-acre plot of land near the 57/60 freeway junction" (WHITTIER DAILY NEWS, 1/11).
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