DCI directors vote for open roof
During a scheduled conference call last night, the voting members of Drum Corps International voted 11 to 9 in favor of opening the retractable roof at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the 2010 World Championship Quarter Finals on Thursday, 12th August.
The retractable roof of the Lucas Oil Stadium is a first of its kind, taking 9 to 11 minutes to reveal its 176,400 square foot opening. "Since the conclusion of the 2009 Championships, we've been working closely with stadium management and city representatives to address concerns over the sound in the stadium," said Drum Corps International Executive Director Dan Acheson. "Fans may notice a number of additional measures that have been incorporated into the stadium setting for this year's event to vastly improve the listening environment."
Other improvements will be less visible while still enhancing the experience for performers and fans alike. "If the weather cooperates this August, we will be able to gain additional insights from the open roof which we can take into consideration for the planning of future World Championship events", Acheson said.
Under the 2010 plan, the roof will remain closed for the Open Class and World Class Semi Finals and Finals competition. Corps directors voted in 2009 to keep the roof closed for the duration of the inaugural World Championships.
"Stadium management will make the final call on closing the roof should weather become an issue, but based on the direction of the voting members, we will proceed with planning for an open roof for the last 15 corps to perform at the World Class Quarterfinals," Acheson said.
The roof will remain closed during the heat of the day and through the first group of corps so that the air conditioning can keep the building cool. During the first intermission, the roof will be opened and will remain open â?? weather permitting â?? for the rest of the evening. It will be closed again following the last Quarter Finals performance and will remain closed for the remainder of the week.
0 comments