Lucas Oil Stadium...Colts new home (lots o' pix)

[John Ranalletta]

Because we don't enjoy the elevated financial or social status that would allow participation at the private openings, we joined 20,000 of our fellow (and sister) sweating Hoosiers for a free tour of the new stadium, courtesy of free tickets from neightbors.

 

It was pretty cool. Here are some snaps of the tour.

 

 

I'm the one in the blue jersey below

 

 

 

The stadium design reflects Indy's industrial character. Made of nearly 1 million bricks. This is central Indy's steam and a/c plant.

 

 

The scale of the place is overwhelming.

 

 

Lucas Oil has certainly optimized its exposure as you'll see in following pix.

 

 

While waiting for the escalator, I noticed Lucas greeting the crowds. Touching gesture, IMO.

 

 

Here's Lucas pressing the flesh, literally.

 

 

 

Here I am again in the blue jersey.

 

 

This is a view of a very, very long escalator to the terrace floor. Being acrophobic, this jammed packed ride up a glass-sided, suspended escalator caused some concern.

 

 

On the way up, it occured that having this 20,000 head of cattle pour through the building every two hours is a good way to stress test the structural components with non-paying volunteers so as not to risk injuring paying ticket holders should there be a catastrophic failure.

 

 

The dome will meet its end in a few weeks when they turn off the inflation fans. That'd be cool to watch.

 

 

 

 

These fans are made by the Big Ass Fan Company. Go figure.

 

 

 

[Matts_12GS]

The dome will meet its end in a few weeks when they turn off the inflation fans. That'd be cool to watch.

 

You mean it's not supported by Peyton Manning's ego?

 

Blah, blah, blah... I know. He's a good guy and great athlete. He's still fun to poke at...