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4/21/2014
Location
Elko, NV
US
Edited Date/Time
5/4/2015 8:11pm
Today they announced that the Cactus Bowl has been moved from Sun Devil stadium to Chase Field due to renovations. This is probably the reason why they can't have SX there this year.
Supercross would have been 7 days after the bowl game which would be a really tough task with the natural grass. They would have to remove the sod from the field in time for supercross. They may even be doing their yearly re-sod before the football game which means that the supercross would be impossible because you can't re-sod twice, too much money. They can't move the date to the new Glendale date because that would be too late in the year to have the field ready for baseball season.
So it looks like the move to Glendale had a good reason. I think it could be a good thing anyways. If they don't install the temp bleachers where the field tray rolls out, that gives them a lot more room than a conventional football stadium.
Supercross would have been 7 days after the bowl game which would be a really tough task with the natural grass. They would have to remove the sod from the field in time for supercross. They may even be doing their yearly re-sod before the football game which means that the supercross would be impossible because you can't re-sod twice, too much money. They can't move the date to the new Glendale date because that would be too late in the year to have the field ready for baseball season.
So it looks like the move to Glendale had a good reason. I think it could be a good thing anyways. If they don't install the temp bleachers where the field tray rolls out, that gives them a lot more room than a conventional football stadium.
I could see them trying to make the outfield last for a few years but i'm not sure. I can also see them just removing the sod after the season so they do not have to pay a grounds crew and pay for operating costs to open and close the roof constantly. Having grass in an in-door stadium is a lot more expensive and labor intensive than normal grass.
I know Anaheim replaces their grass every year, they install it after supercross and monster jam. When you plywood over the grass it's a bit of a gamble you can take all the precautions but it's never guaranteed the grass will look great afterwards. I've seen this first hand as a member of a AAA grounds crew when I was in college. We put ply-wood in the outfield for a stage during all star weekend and they didn't remove it in 24 hours like they were supposed to and we ended up having to paint the dead grass green until the team had a road trip long enough to replace the sod.
The Shop
Good enough reason for me!
Bummer!
They just held the biggest sporting event in the world there a few months ago, the second time the Superbowl has been to that facility. It was a huge success. Yes many of the NFL pre-game events were downtown Phoenix and Scottsdale, but that was mostly the fault of stubborn and inept Glendale City Council dimwits who didn't want to bend to the NFL.
No, it's not downtown so there are somewhat less hotels and bars/restaurants within walking distance.
Google Westgate, that is the entertainment venue next to the stadium (which also hosts the Coyote's hockey arena next door). Dozens of nice bars and restaurants, 4 hotels within walking distance and dozens more nearby. And located right off a major freeway with easy access points all around.
Park West, Arrowhead Mall, P83, and a new casino under construction a mile away (that is being sued left and right but they keep winning the court battles and keep building the first phase) add at least a hundred food/ drink and hotel options within a few miles.
And like the boss said, the pits will be much larger and easier to access.
Post a reply to: Reason SX was moved from Chase Field to University of Phoenix Stadium