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NFL and Super Bowls
Why does San Diego need a new stadium?
Qualcomm Stadium, built in 1967, is one of the oldest stadiums still operating in the NFL. Over the past 40 years Qualcomm Stadium has served the public, the Padres and the Chargers well, but it is past its prime as a modern venue.
The effort to replace Qualcomm Stadium began when a Citizens’Task Force, appointed by then-San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy and the City Council, determined it to be an aging facility and a site that could be better utilized when redeveloped to generate tax revenue. The Citizens' Task Force also found the stadium was costing the City millions of dollars a year to operate and that the City of San Diego faces up to $50 million in deferred maintenance costs. Qualcomm is falling apart and is a liability for the City.
San Diego has enjoyed a longer, more useful life for its stadium than almost any other NFL city. Many cities, including Cincinnati, Detroit, New England, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Seattle; have had two new football stadiums since the Chargers first played on the Mission Valley gridiron in 1967. This year, as the Arizona Cardinals opened their new stadium, 19 of the NFL’s 32 franchises are playing in stadiums less than 10 years old.
“Two seasons ago, during a Chargers broadcast, CBS Sports announcer Jim Nantz was drenched with rainwater when the ceiling in the press box collapsed. Fans in the stands were flooded because of the failing drainage system.”-Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union Tribune, May 28, 2006
Why not renovate Qualcomm Stadium?
The City’s Stadium Task Force concluded that remodeling Qualcomm Stadium would be just as expensive as building a new stadium. Furthermore, a remodel would not resolve issues such as poor sight lines, inadequate restrooms and concession areas and small concourses. It would also require the Chargers to relocate for at least two years while renovations are completed.
When was the last Qualcomm Stadium renovation?
In 1997, the City of San Diego made improvements to Qualcomm Stadium. Seat capacity was expanded from 60,818 to approximately 71,400. 7,800 club seats were added at the lodge level. The number of skyboxes increased from 79 to 105. Two new scoreboards were also installed.
Why isn't the last renovation enough?
The City of San Diego approved the renovation as a temporary solution to bring the Super Bowl back to San Diego in 1998. While the renovation solved some issues, the biggest problems with the stadium still remain. To quote from the Task Force’s report:
“During the 1997 expansion, no structural upgrades were made to the existing portions of the stadium, nor did the expansion address back-of-house issues. As noted during several stadium tours, serious cracks were present throughout the stadium; exposed rebar is rusting; poor seepage causes water settlement; and during rainy weather, fans must be reseated in other areas. Deteriorated expansion joints allow water penetration to seating areas and locker rooms. Cast iron sewer and water pipes are from the original construction.
“Concrete is badly stained, chipped, and in some areas, very jagged. Aging escalators break down and staffing is required during games to insure immediate response time to problems. Aging plumbing is a constant issue. Maintenance crews operate out of storage containers located¼mile away from the stadium. Kitchen facilities are inadequate to support the current stadium capacity.
“Concourses are narrow with an inadequate number of food facilities. Restrooms, especially on the view level, are antiquated and inadequate. The locker rooms are too small. A single visiting team is required to split up and use two separate locker rooms. Press boxes are not state-of-the-art and feature sight-lines oriented toward baseball. Suites are small and not well appointed. The sound system is not state-of-the-art. Sound system noise, otherwise disturbing to neighbors, could be restricted to the stadium by a state-of-the-art sound system.
“Over the next several years, major maintenance will be necessary to address the stadium issues described above. Approximately $3 million will be required to make concrete repairs, resurface the parking lot and replace or overhaul the escalators. The estimated cost of a new sound system is approximately $3 million. In addition, as the stadium ages, plumbing, electrical and equipment problems could develop with significant cost implications. Estimates for deferred maintenance range from $10 million to $50 million.”
What does the NFL mean to our community?
The Chargers have been an important part of the San Diego community ever since they moved from Los Angles in 1961. Throughout the years they have given generously to the community through both charitable and personal time contributions. To see more about what the Chargers do for the San Diego region, please visit their community website at http://www.chargers.com/community/.
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