Lucas Oil Stadium
| File:DSCN6292.JPG The early stages of Lucas Oil Stadium. | |
 | |
| Former names | Indiana Stadium |
|---|---|
| Location | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Coordinates | 39°45′49″N 86°9′48″W / 39.76361°N 86.16333°W |
| Owner | Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority[1] |
| Operator | Capital Improvement Board |
| Capacity | 63,000 - 75,000 (estimated, depending on configuration) |
| Surface | FieldTurf |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | September 20, 2005 |
| Opened | 2008 (scheduled) |
| Construction cost | $500 million |
| Architect | HKS, Inc. |
| Tenants | |
| Indianapolis Colts (NFL) (2008) IHSAA (Football State Finals) (2008) ISSMA (Band State Finals) (2008) Bands of America (2008) Drum Corps International (2008) | |
Lucas Oil Stadium is a retractable roof sports facility currently under construction in Indianapolis. The stadium is scheduled to open in 2008, replacing the RCA Dome (completed 1983) as the home field of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. Afterward, the RCA Dome will be demolished. In addition to the stadium, a new high rise hotel will be constructed.
On February 28, 2006, it was announced that Lucas Oil had purchased the naming rights for $120 million over 20 years. The facility had previously been referred to as Indiana Stadium.
Once complete, work will begin on expanding the current Convention Center. In order to expand the Convention Center, the Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority will demolish the RCA Dome and will proceed to finance, design, construct and own an expansion to the Indiana Convention Center, which will be located on the current site of the RCA Dome. The Authority anticipates that the Convention Center Expansion will be complete by 2010 and, once complete, it will also be leased to and operated by the Capital Improvement Board.
Features
Lucas Oil Stadium will have a retractable roof which divides lengthwise, with each half sliding down the sloping roof of the stadium.
A large windowed gate at one end of the stadium will allow additional light while closed and allow for a more open feel while open.
Seating capacity will be 63,000 for football games; an increase of more than 5,000 over the RCA Dome.[2]
The stadium will contain two massive high definition scoreboards, situated in the northwest and southeast corners of the stadium. Each will be 97 feet wide and 53 feet high.[3]
Planned events
In addition to professional football games (and, possibly, collegiate and high school games), the stadium is scheduled to host the semifinal and final rounds of the Men's Final Four in 2010, with the Women's Final Four one year later. Historically, Indianapolis has been a popular choice for the Final Four, as the NCAA makes their headquarters there, and the events come on a five-year rotation. Lucas Oil Stadium and the city of Indianapolis made a bid to host Super Bowl XLV in 2011 but lost to Dallas and the Dallas Cowboys New Stadium by only two NFL Owner votes. [1]
Other probable events include the Bands of America Grand National Championships [2] and the Indiana Marching Band State Finals [3], both major events for the city in Marching Band competitions.
Drum Corps International announced on August 8, 2006 that their corporate offices are moving to Indianapolis and the DCI World Championships will be the inaugural event for the stadium. The World Championships will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium every year at least through 2018.[4]
Cost
Groundbreaking for the stadium took place on September 20, 2005. The anticipated stadium project cost is approximately $675 million. The estimate includes $500 million for actual construction, $125 million in "soft" costs and $50 million in contingencies. The stadium is being financed with funds raised by the State of Indiana and the City of Indianapolis, with the Indianapolis Colts providing $100 million ($50 million of which will be given to the Colts by the City of Indianapolis for the early termination of their contract). Marion County has raised taxes for food and beverage sales, auto excise taxes, innkeeper's taxes and admission taxes for its share of the costs. Meanwhile, a small increase in food and beverage taxes in the eight surrounding doughnut counties (with the exception of Morgan County) and the sale of Colts license plates completes the total. [4]
In August 2006, a problem was discovered concerning operating costs of the new stadium. The city's Capital Improvement Board estimates that the new stadium could cost an additional $10 million more a year to operate than the RCA Dome.[5]
References
- ^ http://www.in.gov/iscba/2269.htm
- ^ http://iccrd.com/pdf/RCA%20Dome%20Guest%20Information%20Guide.pdf
- ^ Ingerson, Meagan (2007-11-26). "Lucas Oil Stadium scoreboards: 53 feet high, $11.4M pricetag". indystar.com. Retrieved 2007-11-26.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ http://dci.org/news/news.cfm?news_id=ed104f9d-2d1f-4f59-9c9f-c64d6c7b9bbe
- ^ http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060827/NEWS02/608270442
External links
- Lucas Oil Stadium page at Ballparks.com
- Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority
- ISCBA High-Quality Webcam
- Emporis Buildings Site Info
- IndyStar.com Webcam
| Preceded by RCA Dome 1984-2007 |
Home of the Indianapolis Colts 2008- |
Succeeded by Current |
| Preceded by RCA Dome 1989-2007 |
Home of Bands of America Grand Nationals 2008- |
Succeeded by Current |
| Preceded by Rose Bowl Stadium 2007 |
Home of the Drum Corps International World Championship 2008 – 2013; 2015 – 2018 |
Succeeded by Current |