From the Ground
Up
By Tara Telage Wilson On March 9, 2000, ground was broken on the 50-yard line of what will be the new RODEOHOUSTON™/NFL stadium. Groundbreaking for the Harris County Exposition Center followed on June 8. This momentous project of a revolutionary retractable-roof stadium and a new exposition center will make Houston one of the top sports, entertainment and convention destinations in the world. The New Landlord When talk of this project began, Harris County purchased the lease for the Astrodome from the departing Houston Astros baseball organization and formed the Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation. HCSCC is a local, nonprofit entity created to oversee the development and operation of the new facilities. This group is governed by a county-appointed board of directors that includes representation from the Harris County Sports Authority, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the local NFL franchise. HCSCC has hired SMG to be the lease operator on behalf of the county. SMG also manages such venues as ALLTEL Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla., the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Mile High Stadium in Denver and Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. While the Show has always had a close relationship with Harris County, this new arrangement will allow the Show's management to have a more direct relationship with the on-site management organization, SMG, as compared to past dealings with Astrodome USA, the previous lease operator. The Show worked very closely with the new NFL franchise to determine stadium needs and continues to work with the group on joint sponsorship opportunities. The two groups also have agreed to make annual contributions, projected to be $1,250,000 each, into a capital reserve fund for repair and replacement so that the stadium will remain updated and in great condition for the world's greatest rodeo and the new football team. The New Stadium Imagine football under the open Texas sky, super-suites accommodating 150 guests and scoreboards and sound presentations like you've never seen nor heard before. Starting with the 2002 football season and the 2003 Rodeo, such concepts will become reality. The new stadium will seat almost 70,000 people, boast 11 mega-suites and employ the latest in presentation technology. Wider concourses will allow freer travel between entrances, exits, seats, restrooms and concession stands. The interrelationship of the different seating levels is such that, wherever you are sitting or standing, you will have an unobstructed view of the action. In addition, open-air terraces will be available on each concourse. According to Skip Wagner, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo assistant general manager, Operations Department, "It will be an experience unlike anything anyone has ever seen." While all the expanded capacity and added luxury of this innovative new facility is great for visitors, it is especially good for the Show. This is the first facility of its kind to be designed specifically with the sport of rodeo in mind. Due to the facility's size, almost 12,000 more attendees will be able to enjoy each RODEOHOUSTON performance, which will result in increased ticket sales and revenue for the Show. The new stadium also should make the Show more enjoyable, because both the seats and suites will be closer to the field, and a better pen and chute system will be utilized. Wagner explained, "The new facility will allow us to offer a higher quality presentation and much better operation from a behind-the-scenes standpoint. All in all, we'll be presenting a much better experience to the ticket buyer." The Show also will benefit from an advantageous contract with HCSCC that allows use of the facility for an additional 18 days per year. According to Wagner, "This would allow the Show to take advantage of some additional revenue-generating opportunities like festivals, concerts or other events, and more revenue means the Show can better live up to its mission of benefiting youth and supporting education." The new stadium will be situated between the Astrodome and Kirby Drive. Although future plans for the Dome are undetermined, it is expected that it will be maintained as an operating facility and could possibly hold certain Show events once the new stadium is completed.
The New Exposition Center In addition to the new stadium, the Harris County Exposition Center is currently under construction. The 1.3 million square foot facility will be almost twice the size of the Astrohall and will offer more in terms of office space and meeting facilities. This new space also will house some exciting new features, including first-class kitchen and catering facilities; new Tejas, vice presidents' and board rooms; and new Corral Clubs during the Show. While these new features are great for committee volunteers and staff, visitors to the Show also will benefit from the improvements. There will be a significant increase in the number and size of restrooms, an improvement in concession stands and a larger exhibit area. Additionally, visitors will find it very easy to get around the new facility. According to Tom Quarles, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo assistant general manager, Logistics and Service Support Department, "The new facility will be first-class, inside and out. We'll see a better operation in terms of service and maintenance, catering, exhibit logistics and visitor traffic. It truly will result in a much smoother Show all the way around." After the 2002 Show, all Show offices will be moved into this new building. Beginning with the 2003 Show, all animal and commercial exhibits previously housed in the Astrohall will relocate to this facility. Most of the commercial exhibits previously set up in the Astroarena will move to the new facility as well. Because the Horse Show is not moving to the new facility, at least for the time being, some horse-specific commercial exhibitors likely will remain in the Astroarena. The Astrohall will be torn down upon completion of the new facility to make room for additional parking. Currently, there is discussion of future construction, which might include a new arena adjoining the west end of the new exposition center. However, the current plan is for the Show to operate in the new facilities and to use the existing Astroarena.
Short-Term Impact, Long-Term Gain! The first major challenge during construction of these amazing new facilities will occur during the 2001 and 2002 Shows, when 14,000 parking spaces will be lost due to construction. Show management is actively working on parking solutions to compensate for this loss. These solutions will include increased Rodeo Express shuttle service, additional off-site parking locations and use of the Show's property near State Highway 288. But any inconvenience will be worth the benefits that these new facilities will bring to the Show and to its organization. The completion of these facilities truly will mark a new era for Houston and will usher in an exciting future for the world's greatest livestock show and rodeo!
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