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Pontiac Silverdome
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Pontiac Silverdome
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The Pontiac Silverdome has been "Home Sweet Home" for the Detroit Lions since the last brick was put in place in 1975. During the past 20 years, the building has earned a reputation as one of the finest sports facilities in the world. Not even a freak, late-winter snowstorm on March 4, 1985, which caused extensive structural damage to the roof, could keep the Silverdome from maintaining its enviable stature in the sports world. A new canvas and steel-girder reinforced roof was added between March and June of 1985.
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The Silverdome has the largest seating capacity (at 80,368) among NFL stadiums. The air-supported and cable-restrained facility is the largest of its kind in the world and is the first successful example of a fiberglass fabric roof system.
Since a 27-24 pre-season game victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 23, 1975, the Lions have played 161 games in the Silverdome after moving from their former home at Tiger Stadium in downtown Detroit. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Lions, 36-10, in the first regular-season game in the building, Oct. 6, 1975. The Lions have posted a 90-70-1 (a .562 percentage) in the regular season at the Silverdome, (not including a 1-1 record in playoff contests). On January 5, 1992, the Lions defeated the Dallas Cowboys, 38-6, in the first playoff game held at the Silverdome. The victory capped an undefeated home season for the Lions as they finished a perfect 9-0 in games played in the Silverdome.
Though the Silverdome is the Lions' home, the Cincinnati Bengals and the San Francisco 49ers made NFL history in the building. On Jan. 24, 1982, the 49ers defeated the Bengals, 26-21, before a crowd of 81,270 in Super Bowl XVI -- the first Super Bowl ever played in a northern U.S. city.
During the summer of 1994, the Silverdome was the site of the first World Cup Soccer match ever played in a domed stadium. New ground was broken as natural grass was brought into the Silverdome for four soccer matches.
The Silverdome was built at a cost of $55.7 million. It was occupied in just 23 months, on time and within budget, from its ground breaking on Sept. 19, 1973. During the roof's reconstruction in 1985, the Teflon-coated fiberglass panels that span the roof (100 in all) were completely replaced, and several structural modifications and safety improvements also were accomplished. The roof was re-inflated by workmen on May 30, 1985.
Construction
Cost: $55.7 Million
Construction completed on time (23 months) and on budget.
1.5 million cubic yards of earth moved for construction.Materials Used: 52,000 cubic yards of concrete
1,700 tons of structural steel
10 acre Teflon-coated Fiberglas roof
18 large steel cables: vary 550 to 750 feet, weighing up to 15,000 lbs. each
10 - 75 hp fans and 15 - 100 hp fans
50 revolving doors
93 pressure balance doorsBuilding Size: Overall- 770ft. x 600ft.
Playing Field- 94,000 sq. ft.
Lower Concourse- 25,000 sq. ft.Financing
$15.9 million in General Obligation Notes issued by the City of Pontiac.
$25 million in Revenue Bonds sold by the Pontiac Stadium Building Authority.
$8 million interest on bond money prior to construction.
$7.76 million installment loan for addition of an air supported roof, to be paid for out of stadium revenues.
Owner: Pontiac Stadium Building Authority
Groundbreaking: September 19, 1973First Game: August 23, 1975-Detroit Lions-27, Kansas City Chiefs-24
Site: 132 total acres:
100 acres - Parking Lot
20 acres - SilverdomeSeating
Lower Level: 42,082
Bench Seats-(3,634)
Club Level-7,342
Upper Level-29,399
Private Suites-1,246
Wheelchair-256Capacity
Football, Soccer, Supercross, Tractor Pull, Rodeos: 80,325
Political Rallies, Religious Crusades: 90,000
Concerts: 22,000 to 55,000Parking
On-Site (100 acres, lighted, paved)
Automobile - 12,464
Handicap - (389)Off-Site
Auxiliary - 2,200
Off Site - 6,500Facilities
Executive Suites - 93
Concessions - 42
Restaurant - 1
Banquet Rooms - 2
Rest Rooms - 44
Press Area (Capacity) - 300
Private Offices - 7
Storage Buildings - 2
Warehouses - 2
Practice Facilities - 2Roof
Area - 430,000 sq. ft. (10 acres)
Height - 202 ft.
Weight - 200 tons
Material - Teflon-coated Fiberglas
Panels - 100
Pressure - Air supported at 5 lbs. Per square footField Lighting
There are 311 lamps to our field lighting system. Average Lumens 140,000
Warm Up Time 2-4 minutes
Re-Start Time 10-15 minutesTurf
The 87,340-sq. ft. "Magic Carpet" system uses a series of air jets to float the one
piece synthetic turf field over the stadium floor. The turf stores on a huge mechanical spool
in a pit below the floor. It takes a crew of ten 30 minutes to install the playing field.Photography
The lighting inside the Silverdome is designed to capture the natural sunlight that filters through the translucent roof and to provide a balance between that sunlight and the artificial lights that surround the perimeter inside the Silverdome. (On a dark, overcast day or during events held during late afternoon or evening hours, the outside lighting will have no effect on exposure.)
Recommended film speed under all conditions: ASA 400
When photographing events on the playing field (lighting tends to be less in the stands), the recommended exposure is:
For early evening or night events: 1/125 of a second with a lens aperture of F 5.6
For events held during sunny days: 1/250 of a second with a lens aperture of F 5.6
Various other exposure combinations may be used, but they must be equivalent to the above to be correctly exposed for best color.
The lights inside the Silverdome match very closely that of natural sunlight. It is recommended that, when other types of color films are used, great care be taken to ensure that the film is the daylight type.Stadium Policies
Alcohol Management
The open consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited at all Silverdome operated parking lots. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed to be removed from inside the stadium to the parking lot areas.Guests may not bring alcoholic beverages into the stadium. Guests may either leave the items at the gate - items will not be returned - or return items to their vehicle.
Guests who appear to be visibly intoxicated will not be allowed entrance to the Silverdome. Tickets will not be sold to guests to appear to be intoxicated.
Possession of alcoholic beverages not purchased from the stadium concessionaire inside the stadium will result in confiscation of said alcohol and possible ejection. Disorderly guests causing disturbances affecting other guests will be ejected from the stadium. No sale of alcoholic beverages will be made to anyone under the age of 21. Identification will be checked. Only two (2) alcoholic beverages will be served at one time.
During Detroit Lions games, alcohol sales will terminate at a time predetermined by Silverdome Management. Termination time is posted in all concession stands.
Silverdome Management, at its sole discretion, may dictate that all alcoholic beverage sales be stopped at any time.
Animals
Only service animals trained to assist the disabled are allowed in the Silverdome.Banners
Banners are allowed in the Silverdome as long as they are not on a stick, pole or contain offensive language. Banners may not be hung where they will obstruct the view of other guests, hinder any activity on the field, contain advertising or cover existing advertising. Any banner determined by Silverdome Management to be a hazard or inappropriate will be removed.Cameras/Videos
For most events, still cameras (no flash) are allowed while video cameras are prohibited. Please check with the Ticket Office prior to bringing your camera/video recorder to the event.Coolers
Coolers are permitted in the Silverdome as long as they take up no more space than found under one seat, are constructed of soft material, and contain no cans, bottles or alcoholic beverages.Guest Conduct
To ensure the enjoyment of all who visit our facility, proper behavior is expected of all guests at the Pontiac Silverdome. Unruly or inconsiderate behavior will not be tolerated, and may be grounds for ejection from the Silverdome and/or revocation of ticket privileges. Such behavior includes, but is not limited to: abuse of intoxicants; profane or abusive language or gestures; offensive or disorderly conduct; the throwing of any object; standing or sitting in the aisles or behind the last row of seats; smoking inside the Silverdome; possession of any prohibited items; possession of alcohol in the No Alcohol sections; entering or attempting to enter the field level or playing field; wearing any apparel with profane or abusive language; failure to follow the instructions of Silverdome personnel; actions that may harm or endanger others; and other such conduct that is beyond the bounds of reasonableness for spectators attending an event in the Silverdome.Inspection Policy
All guests entering the Silverdome are subject to a visual inspection of person, parcels, bags and containers capable of carrying prohibited items.Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: bottles (glass or plastic), cans, hard-case containers, alcoholic beverages, missile-like objects and weapons. Noise-makers, flags/banners/signs that are mounted on a stick or pole are not allowed. Recording devices, such as video recorders, tripods and audio tape recorders are also not allowed.
Guests may refuse inspection; if so, Silverdome Management may refuse entry into the stadium.
No Smoking Policy
The Pontiac Silverdome is a smoke-free facility. There is no smoking in any public area including seating areas, concourses, rest rooms, Press box, tunnel areas, or concession stand areas. Any guest wishing to smoke must go outside of the revolving doors located on all levels.Passouts/Re-admissions
Guests may not leave the Silverdome and re-enter on a ticket stub during any event.Soliciting/Trespassing
No loitering; trespassing; soliciting or peddling; resale or unauthorized distribution of tickets, merchandise or apparel; or placing of handbills is allowed on Silverdome property.The Silverdome reserves the right to alter and interpret these regulations. In addition, this page contains only a summary of the regulations that most often are of interest to our guests. If you have any questions regarding Silverdome regulations, please call the Executive Offices in advance of your visit. Our staff will be happy to assist you.
Guest Services is located at the West Gate, Section 129 on the Lower Level. This office handles lost and found, emergency phone registration, lost children, guest assistance, and general information. During major events, there are also Guest Services at Section 213 on the Club Level and Section 335 on the Third Level. These locations handle guest assistance and general information.
Automobile Problems
Should you have a problem such as keys locked in a car, dead battery, etc., please contact Security or Silverdome personnel for assistance.Emergency Phone Calls
Paging is not permitted during the event. If you are expecting an emergency phone call, please register your seat location at Security, Lower Level, Section 125. If a call is received, Silverdome personnel will be sent to your seat location with a message.Guest Surveys
Your input, both positive and negative, is important to Silverdome Management. Guest surveys are available at all concession stands and may be dropped in the mailboxes located at the concession stands, returned by mail (postage is prepaid), or given to any Silverdome personnel.Jogging/Walking
The Silverdome is available to the general public for jogging and walking during the winter season. This program is offered on the same dates and times as rollerblading (usually November through April). Joggers/walkers utilize the Club Level, while rollerblading takes place on the Upper Level concourse. You must obtain an ID pass issued in advance at the Silverdome Ticket Office. Identification is required to obtain the pass and a yearly fee will be charged. Passes will not be issued at the gate during jogging/walking hours. For further information, contact the Silverdome Ticket Office.Location of Facilities
Advance Ticket Sales
During most major events, tickets for upcoming events are available at the East Gate Ticket Office located at Section 112 on the Lower Level.Cash Machine
A cash dispensing machine is located on the concourse by Security at Section 125 on the Lower Level.Diaper Changing Stations
Located in all women's and selected men's rest rooms on all three levels.Drinking Fountains
Drinking fountains, including those for our disabled guests, are located at the entrances to the rest rooms on all levels.Lost and Found
Located at Security, Section 125 on the Lower Level.Main Event Restaurant
Access to the Main Event from inside the stadium is at the North Stair Tower on the Club Level, or for our guests with disabilities, via the elevator at Section 125 on the Lower Level. The entrance to the Main Event, on non-event days, is located between the North Gate and the Detroit Lions Ticket Office. During most major events, a ticket is required for access. For operating times or to book a banquet, please contact the Main Event Restaurant.Medical Assistance/First Aid
Medical assistance is available during all events in the Silverdome. The First Aid room is located at Section 109 on the Lower Level.Executive Suites
The 93 Executive Suites in the Silverdome are located on the Club Level. Suites are available on a per event basis. For information, please contact the Silverdome Executive Offices.Public Telephones
Public telephones are located on all levels of the Silverdome. Telephones also are located outside the perimeter fencing at all entrance gates for those guests outside of the stadium.Security
The Security office located at Section 125 on the Lower Level is staffed 24 hours a day.
June 3, 1999
Copyright 1999 MediaVenturesA reconfiguration of the Silverdome will allow the Detroit Lions to offer a family area for its home games. The area features seats priced at $25 each. No alcohol or profanity will be allowed in the area .
November 29, 2001 (AP) - The Detroit Lions and the city of Pontiac reached an agreement that will allow the team to get out of its 30-year Silverdome lease, according to a settlement negotiator.
Elbert Hatchett, a Pontiac attorney, told the Detroit News in today's edition that a settlement had been reached.
The Lions plan to open the 2002 season at Ford Field, a $315 million stadium under construction in downtown Detroit.
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