Memorial Stadium Construction Photos (June 26-27, 2007)

[Dan]

<< Prev June 13, 2007 (8 pics) | Stadium Pics Archive | Next July 13, 2007 (17 pics) >>

June 26-27, 2007

31 pics from Memorial Stadium; a few taken yesterday, most taken today.


The North End Zone stands are now fully in place. View from the horseshoe:










View from the 50-yd line around row 55 in the East Main:




View from the 50-yd line at field level:








View from outside:







The only other visual change since the last update is they have begun to remove the concrete in the south end of the upper West Main (under the balcony) to make way for the Colonnades Club:















Parts of the disassembled crane that used to service the North End Zone:









In the field west of First St, the construction staging area has grown to parallel the length of the stadium along the street, and they are digging and laying pipe.












Finally, it appears that it is indeed a pair of hawks who live in the neighborhood, I think they have a nest in the southwest tower.

<< Prev June 13, 2007 (8 pics) | Stadium Pics Archive | Next July 13, 2007 (17 pics) >>

[illini4everjp]

Thanks for the pics, looks great.

The Chief Hawk has a girlfriend, excellent!

[twincityillini]

Thanks for the pics Dan, things are really taking shape.

[HouseofPaign]

you said layin pipe

well done dan

[fightingillini fan 4-ever]

Thanks Dan and there is nothing better than laying pipe as House of Paign noted. GO ILLINI!!!!!

[FinalFour88]

I actually think the north stands are gonna look good. Even though they didn't make them wrap around to fill in the bowl, it looks like they built them to sit flush with the structures on either side, which at least fills the gaps at field level.

[OrangeFever]

Originally Posted by FinalFour88

I actually think the north stands are gonna look good. Even though they didn't make them wrap around to fill in the bowl, it looks like they built them to sit flush with the structures on either side, which at least fills the gaps at field level.

I just hope they don't detract too much from the overall impression of the stadium. It's such a massive, classic structure. My main hope is that the north stands basically don't call too much attention to themselves. Architectrually, they are functional and they aren't designed to make any kind of statement, which is good. I do like the Zuppke Field face stone.

[ChiefIlliniwek]

Originally Posted by OrangeFever

I do like the Zuppke Field face stone.

Much agreed... I'm just glad that the stone will finally be more integrated into the stadium, and not hidden from view as it has been for years.

[illini4everjp]

Originally Posted by OrangeFever

I just hope they don't detract too much from the overall impression of the stadium. It's such a massive, classic structure. My main hope is that the north stands basically don't call too much attention to themselves. Architectrually, they are functional and they aren't designed to make any kind of statement, which is good. I do like the Zuppke Field face stone.

Which is why I'm glad that they didn't go with the bowl idea. While the Assembly Hall is completely round, Memorial Stadium (besides the columns obviously) is very rectangular and the new NEZ fits in with that.

[ChefOrangewek]

I admit the North stands look better than I expected. I still would have preferred that they would have enclosed the sides and back with brick and had brick enclosed stairs on the front (rather than the metal stairs that we're still waiting to see).

However, overall it is not that bad. Hope they paint the stairwell and railings black (not white) to help disguise them.

[BananaShampoo]

I agree about the brick. The other thing to me is that there seems to be a big gap in the corners now next to the NEZ stands. Anyone know if they are planning to put something there to take up that space?

[koolkat]

Thanks Dan.

[GeorgiaIllini]

Anyone know if they are on schedule?

[Dan]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaIllini

Anyone know if they are on schedule?

Looks fairly on schedule to me... although that doesn't mean anything

The North End Zone structurally is set, they have 2 months to put in stairs/bleachers/plumbing/the rest of the bricks/anything else which seems doable. That, and the scoreboard needs to be installed behind the south horseshoe.

Anything else for Sept 8... probably just get the Great West Hall somehow ready to service the fans. The torn up stands and cranes on the West Side, that stuff won't be ready until the 2008 season.