Are you not entertained?!
When you think of gladiators, you might call to mind an image of a hulking Russell Crowe shouting this iconic line to a crowd of bloodthirsty spectators in the 2000 film, “Gladiator.” This film finds its place amidst a long list of grand epics that depict a tradition often considered synonymous with Roman civilization. The sport of gladiator fighting rose in popularity in the first century BC, and continued as a defining feature of Roman culture for the centuries following. Although this brutal spectacle died out with the Roman Empire, the tradition of large gatherings to watch physical feats has persevered and evolved with modern societies. Today, enormous, state-of-the-art arenas and stadiums are constructed across the world to host these events. We are currently seeing a resurgence of stadium and arena renovations right here in Birmingham — innovative features on these structures are becoming crucial, as the competition for hosting rights increases each year. Now the question becomes: If these structures are built, will these regional and national events (along with their spectators) come? Let’s look at a brief history of these structures, as well as where they’re headed to find the answer.
The Colosseum in Ancient Rome
As gladiator fighting became more prominent, the need emerged for large arenas in which to host the tournaments. The now-famous Colosseum was constructed under the reign of Roman Emperor Vespasian in 72 AD and was completed during the reign of his successor and heir, Titus, in 80 AD. It had a holding capacity of up to 80,000 spectators. The Colosseum was the first-ever amphitheater/stadium of its scale to be built. It was made entirely out of a mixture of concrete, stone and limestone, and the construction methods used represented the capabilities of the period — the Romans used chisels, mallets, cutters, plumb-lines and stone drills. The most essential aspect of the stadium, blocks, were used to support the arches, which allowed the Colosseum to reach its impressive height of 160 feet. The structure took over eight years to complete, and its creation provided the foundations for the stadiums and arenas we see today.
The Protective Stadium
The Protective Stadium, currently under construction, will be Birmingham’s newest, multi-use stadium. Protective Life Corporation and the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) agreed on a 15-year naming rights deal for the structure. Construction on the $174 million project began in late 2019 and is expected to conclude in late 2021, just in time for the fall 2021 UAB football season. Populous, a renowned architectural firm specializing in sports arenas and facilities, is the lead firm heading up the project — the company has a notable history of prestigious projects, including numerous facilities completed for Olympic host cities. The stadium will have a capacity of 45,000 and features 26,000 cubic yards of concrete (enough to fill nearly eight Olympic size swimming pools), as well as 31,000 linear feet of seating. The impressive structure will serve as a cornerstone for the 2022 World Games, which will be held in Birmingham next summer. As a world-class stadium, it will have an immediate and long-term economic impact on the area, attracting national and international events.
The Legacy Arena
The Legacy Arena (also located at the BJCC) is currently undergoing a major, 18-month long renovation that began in April 2020. B.L. Harbert International, a Birmingham-based construction company, is leading the $66.9 million project. The last renovation on the longstanding stadium occurred in 1992. Over the years since its initial construction in 1976, the stadium has hosted a variety of entertainment events including concerts and sporting competitions. Additions to the arena include a new glass facade that will be upheld by structural steel, new concrete pads to showcase the glass facade’s views of Birmingham’s skyline, an updated arena club and other aesthetic renovations. The project is expected to be completed in late 2021.
Benefits to Birmingham
Renovation projects at this magnitude and scale ensure that these stadiums not only meet, but exceed the current standards for arena experiences. It is not uncommon for these projects to introduce new technologies and features that serve to enhance the visitor experience. In order for cities to compete when bidding to host international events (Olympics, World Games) or national events (NCAA tournaments), the facilities offered must be up to par or surpass the offerings of other bidders. These large-scale structures may be aesthetically and functionally impressive, but what is their ultimate value? It may be more than you might think.
The renovations being completed at the BJCC were instrumental in Birmingham securing the bid to host the first and second round of the NCAA Tournament for Division I men’s basketball in 2023 and the Division I women’s basketball southern regional in 2025. When cities secure the hosting rights, the economic impact can yield long-term benefits on multiple levels. For example, the 2022 World Games are expected to generate an estimated $256 million to Birmingham. Large-scale events such as these not only bring national and international recognition to the city as a hoster of top-tier events, but they also bolster local businesses and in turn, the economy. Although the days of Roman gladiators are long gone, the future of modern day coliseums and stadiums is bright and burgeoning right here in Birmingham.
References
ABC 33/40. (2020, October 15). Birmingham to host NCAA men's and women's basketball tournament. ABC 33/40. Retrieved from https://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/threads/birmingham-to-host-ncaa-mens-and-womens-basketball-tournament-abc3340.523849/
Birmingham Times. (2020, December 10). BJCC marks topping out of $174M Protective Stadium in Birmingham. Birmingham Times. Retrieved from http://www.birminghamtimes.com/2020/12/bjcc-marks-topping-out-of-174-million-protective-stadium-in-birmingham/
Inglis, A. (n.d). How the Roman Colosseum influenced modern day stadiums. Blogspot.com Retrieved from https://stadiumcomparison.blogspot.com/p/roman-colosseum-roman-colosseum-was.html#:~:text=The%20Roman%20Colosseum%20was%20the%20first%20major%20stadium,different%20events%2C%20most%20of%20which%20were%20entertainment%20related.
Legends and Chronicles. (n.d). Ancient Roman Gladiators. Legends and Chronicles. Retrieved from https://www.legendsandchronicles.com/ancient-civilizations/ancient-rome/ancient-roman-gladiators/#:~:text=Gladiators%20and%20the%20Colosseum%20The%20famous%20Colosseum%20was,his%20successor%20and%20heir%2C%20Titus%2C%20in%2080%20AD.
Protective Life Corporation. (n.d.). Protective Life Stadium. Retrieved from https://www.protectivestadium.com/.
Songer, J. (2020, November 20). Check out the progress of the Legacy Arena renovation in Birmingham. AL.com. Retrieved from https://www.al.com/business/2020/11/check-out-the-progress-of-the-legacy-arena-renovation-in-birmingham.html