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Photograph © Wayne Lorentz/Artefaqs Corporation
Photograph © Wayne Lorentz/Artefaqs Corporation
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Formerly: SkyDome
Built:
1986- 1989
Cost: CAN$500,000,000.00
Designed by: Rod Robbie and Michael Allen
Type: Entertainment Venue
Location: One Blue Jay Way
City: Toronto
State: Ontario
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T
his stadium's claim to fame is that it was the first to have a fully retractable roof. These days retractable roof stadia are becoming more and more common. But the design of the {HumanName} remains unique. Like others, it has two pieces that move on a linear track. But the twist is the end cap. It rotates 180 degrees to tuck itself in under the other panels. This unique configuration gives the {HumanName} something similar structures lack -- an unobstructed view out of three sides of the stadium. It is unlikely this will be copied anytime soon, as the architects have patented their method. Another innovation involves the stadium seats. They are on tracks and can be moved around when needed. This allows the {HumanName} to go from a baseball field to a concert venue to a football field within hours, instead of days like at other stadia. When closed, the {HumanName} encloses a space of two million square feet and a volume of 56,500,000 cubic feet. The roof is 310 feet high -- enough to built a 30-story building inside. While the {HumanName} has a stated capacity of 53,000 it has exceeded that number on several occasions. The largest event was Wrestlemania VI when 67,678 people filled the seats. For smaller events when acoustics are important, the crew brings out the SkyTent which divides the stadium and improves the sound. While the dome appears to have little trouble attracting people to the cheap seats, it is the skyboxes that make the most money for any stadium. With the opening of the Air Canada Centre, the {HumanName} started having trouble renting out its 161 luxury suites. Consequently, the owners have reduced the price of a skybox lease to become more competitive.
**The roof is 674 feet wide and 282 feet high.
**The roof moves at a rate of 71 feet per minute.
**It takes 20 minutes to retract the roof, exposing 91% of the seats and 100% of the field to the sky.
**The roof weighs 11,000 tons and is held together by 250,000 bolts.
**There are 1,280 toilets in the SkyDome.
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