Austin Stadium News

More than the Grass is Green

admin@austinstadium.org — 2009-06-06T09:56:50-05:00

How about building a stadium and solidifying Austin’s Green City credentials at the same time?

Check out this article from the Guardian (UK) about a stadium in Taiwan that was built with environmental considerations and not only powers itself but puts power back into the grid on non-game days.

Taiwan recently finished construction on an incredible solar-powered stadium that will generate 100% of its electricity from photovoltaic technology! Designed by Toyo Ito, the dragon-shaped 50,000 seat arena is clad in 8,844 solar panels that illuminate the track and field with 3,300 lux. The project will officially open later this year to welcome the 2009 World Games.

Building a new stadium is always a massive undertaking that requires millions of dollars, substantial physical labor, and a vast amount of electricity to keep it operating. Toyo Ito's design negates this energy drain with a stunning 14,155 sq meter solar roof that is able to provide enough energy to power the stadium's 3,300 lights and two jumbo vision screens. To illustrate the incredible power of this system, officials ran a test this January and found that it took just six minutes to power up the stadium's entire lighting system!

The stadium also integrates additional green features such as permeable paving and the extensive use of reusable, domestically made materials. Built upon a clear area of approximately 19 hectares, nearly 7 hectares has been reserved for the development of integrated public green spaces, bike paths, sports parks, and an ecological pond. Additionally, all of the plants occupying the area before construction were transplanted.

Non-sports fans in the community have a lot to jump up and down for as well. Not only does the solar system provide electricity during the games, but the surplus energy will also be sold during the non-game period. On days where the stadium is not being used, the Taiwanese government plans to feed the extra energy into the local grid, where it will meet almost 80% of the neighboring area's energy requirements. Overall, the stadium will generate 1.14 million KWh per year, preventing the release of 660 tons of carbon dioxide into atmosphere annually.

Nice Press Mention

admin@austinstadium.org — 2009-06-05T09:31:40-05:00

So there was a nice little piece about our efforts in the Austin Chronicle this week. Thanks guys!

Soccer. On Grass. In Austin.

admin@austinstadium.org — 2009-06-03T17:38:45-05:00

Wow who knew our efforts would pay dividends so quickly?

GRASS has only been around for a week and already we have two major teams coming to play on a grass pitch in Central Austin. That wasn’t so hard, was it?

From the Aztex website:

The Austin Aztex FC and University of Texas have paired up to announce the first State Farm Copa Aztex, an annual soccer match that will feature two high-profile Mexican professional soccer teams.

This year’s match, the first of a multi-year agreement between the Aztex and UT, will feature Cruz Azul and Tigres squaring off at Mike A. Myers Track & Soccer Stadium on the UT Campus. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Central on Saturday, July 18. The match will cap off a day of fun-filled fan events at Myers Stadium.

Along with what is expected to be an exciting match, State Farm and Univision Radio will present the El Golazo music festival featuring food, prizes, giveaways, a beer garden and live music. Gates open for the event at 4 p.m.

Tickets for the State Farm Copa Aztex go on sale to the public on Monday, June 8 at 10 a.m. Central. Tickets will be priced at $30 and $50 and will be available at all Texas Box Office locations (including the Frank Erwin Center), TexasBoxOffice.com or by calling 800-982-BEVO (2386).

The Aztex and University of Texas encourage all soccer fans to buy their tickets early due to an expected high turnout for the inaugural State Farm Copa Aztex event.

Should be a fun match. Kudos to the Aztex, UT, State Farm and Univision for making it happen.

We should make soccer on grass in Central Austin a weekly event!

If we CAN'T find a suitable site

admin@austinstadium.org — 2009-05-28T20:52:48-05:00

We could always get creative.

UT says we don't want your World Cup...

admin@austinstadium.org — 2009-05-27T12:22:40-05:00

I didn’t notice this at the time it came out but apparently the powers that be at the University of Texas have decided to decline an invitation to be considered by the U.S. Soccer Federation as a host stadium should the U.S. be given the World Cup in 2018 or 2022. Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio are all still possibles.

http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_14155776.html

A fun photo from 1959

admin@austinstadium.org — 2009-05-26T16:45:47-05:00

The minor league Austin Senators used to play their games in a downtown stadium in what is now the new Butler Park (next to Auditorium Shores.) This photo is from 1959 looking north across Lady Bird Lake (then Town Lake)... wonder if we can get that land back for the new one?

Austin's New Mayor a Soccer Fan

admin@austinstadium.org — 2009-05-23T13:53:37-05:00

New Austin Mayor-elect Lee Leffingwell is a runner and certified soccer referee. Although I have yet to spot him in the crowd at an Austin Aztex game he did give an interesting answer when asked to play a word-association game during the Austin Chronicle candidate forum (about 1:30 into the clip):

Retailing 101

admin@austinstadium.org — 2009-05-23T13:25:27-05:00

Link to a 2007 Austin Business Journal talking about retail trends and speculating about the future of the Highland Mall site:

Shopping for an Answer: Experts Debate the Future of Highland