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{{refimprove|date=June 2006}}
{{Geobox City
[[Image:stadium-seating.png|thumb|250px|Example of stadium seating.]]
<!-- *** Name section *** -->
| name = City of Champaign
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| image_caption = A view of Champaign from above ([[:Image:Champaign From Above.jpg|see wider view]])
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| country = [[United States]]
| state_type = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]]
| state = [[Illinois]]
| region_type = [[List of counties in Illinois|County]]
| region = [[Champaign County, Illinois|Champaign]]
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| population_as_of = 2007
| population = 75,254
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| established_type = Founded
| established = 1855
| established1_type = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated Town]]
| established1 = ?
| established2_type = [[Municipal charter|City Charter]]
| established2 = 1866
| governmant_type = City Manager
| leader = [[Gerald Schweighart]]
| leader_type = Mayor
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| timezone = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset = −6
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| postal_code = 61820, 61821, 61822
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| website = http://www.ci.champaign.il.us
<!-- *** Footnotes *** -->
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}}
{{redirect|Champaign|topics with similar names|Champagne}}
'''Champaign''' is a city in [[Champaign County, Illinois|Champaign County]], [[Illinois]], in the [[United States]]. The city is located {{convert|135|mi|0}} south of [[Chicago]] and {{convert|124|mi|0}} west of [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]]. Though surrounded by farm communities, Champaign is notable for sharing the campus of the [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign]] with its sibling city of [[Urbana, Illinois|Urbana]]. Thanks to the university and a number of well known technology startups (see below), it is often referred to as the hub of, or at least a significant landmark of, the [[Silicon Prairie]].


:''"Stadium seating" can also be used as a synonym for [[festival seating]].''
As reported in the [[United States Census 2000|2000 U.S. Census]], the city was home to 67,518 people. The city held a special census in 2007 that showed that its population had grown to 75,254.<ref>[http://www.ci.champaign.il.us/departments/2007/04/05/final-special-census-results-2/ City of Champaign News >> Final Special Census Results] Accessed [[14 January]], [[2008]]</ref> The mayor is Gerald Schweighart, whose term will expire in 2011.


'''Stadium seating''' is a technique used in performing-arts venues, educational facilities, religious institutions [http://www.religiousproductnews.com/supplement/theaterSeating.htm], and [[movie theater]]s to allow more guests to see an event with less blockage than traditional [[seating]]. Like seating in a football or baseball stadium, stadium seating in theaters is usually a 30 degree slope stepped upwards from the bottom of the theater, as opposed to the approximately 15 degree gentle slope in traditional theaters. This slope improves sightlines for visitors and reduces the chance that a tall person will block the view of a short person behind them. Sometimes the sloping floor is not stepped, with the disadvantage that items can roll down.
== History ==


There has been some criticism of stadium seating because it usually isn't possible for disabled people in wheelchairs to climb them. To reduce the problem, venues with stadium seating generally mark the row at walk-in level for disabled patrons. This row is more open than those above or below it and includes empty spaces for wheelchairs.
[[Image:FirstPresbyterianChurchChampaignIllinois200511 KaihsuTai.jpg|thumb|left|The [[First Presbyterian Church Champaign|First Presbyterian Church of Champaign]] [http://www.fpcchampaign.org/] founded 1850 in the city's historic 'Sesquicentennial Neighborhood', is the oldest church in town.]]


[[Image:Kingda Ka restraints down.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Stadium seating on a roller coaster]]
Champaign was founded in 1855, when the [[Illinois Central Railroad]] laid its rail track two miles west of downtown Urbana. Originally called "West Urbana," it was renamed Champaign when it acquired a city charter in 1860. Both the city and county name were derived from [[Champaign County, Ohio]].
The [[train (roller coaster)|trains]] on some [[roller coaster]]s are also configured in tiers; this seating configuration is also sometimes called stadium seating. Three prominent examples of roller coasters whose trains use this type of seating are [[Millennium Force]] at [[Cedar Point]][http://www.rcdb.com/id594.htm], which opened in [[2000]], [[SheiKra]] at [[Busch Gardens Africa|Busch Gardens Tampa]] [http://rcdb.com/id2662.htm], which opened in [[2005]], and [[Griffon (roller coaster)|Griffon]] at [[Busch Gardens Europe]], which opened in [[2007]] [http://rcdb.com/id3631.htm].


Converting sloped-floor theaters to stadium seating theaters requires raising the ceiling and adding risers, so owners of movie theaters often judge conversion as not cost effective.<ref>Connelly, Richard. "[http://www.houstonpress.com/2008-10-02/news/bill-white-the-f-word-and-gatemouth-brown/ A Loew(s) Blow]." ''[[Houston Press]]''. March 15, 2001.</ref>
On [[September 22]], [[1985]], Champaign hosted the first [[Farm Aid]] concert at the University of Illinois' [[Memorial Stadium (Champaign)|Memorial Stadium]]. The concert drew a crowd of 80,000 people and raised over $7 million for American family farmers.


==See also==
In 2005, Champaign-Urbana (specifically the University of Illinois) was the location of the National [[Science Olympiad]] Tournament, attracting young scientists from all 50 states. The city also hosts the state Science Olympiad competition every year. The University of Illinois is next expected to host the National competition in 2010.
*[[Festival seating]]


==Geography==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{citation style}}


Champaign is located at {{coor dms|40|6|47|N|88|15|40|W|}} (40.112981, -88.261227){{GR|1}}.


According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 17.0&nbsp;[[square mile]]s (44.1&nbsp;[[km²]]), of which, 17.0&nbsp;square miles (44.0&nbsp;km²) of it is land and 0.04&nbsp;square miles (0.1&nbsp;km²) of it (0.12%) is water.


[[Category:Concerts]]
Champaign shares a border with the neighboring city of [[Urbana, Illinois|Urbana]]; together they are home to the [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|University of Illinois]]. Champaign, Urbana, and the bordering village of [[Savoy, Illinois|Savoy]] form the [[Champaign-Urbana Metropolitan Area]] also known as ''Urbana-Champaign'' or ''Champaign-Urbana''. It may also be colloquially known as the "Twin Cities" or ''Chambana''.<ref>[http://media.www.dailyillini.com/media/storage/paper736/news/2007/02/06/HousingGuide/Chambana The Daily Illini: Chambana Offers Internships] Accessed [[June 15]], [[2007]]</ref>
[[Category:Roller coasters]]

==Demographics==

As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 67,518 people, 27,071 households, and 12,452 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 3,974.6 people per square mile (1,534.4/km²). There were 28,556 housing units at an average density of 1,681.0/sq&nbsp;mi (648.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 73.16% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 15.62% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.24% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 6.83% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.94% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.19% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.03% of the population.

There were 27,071 households out of which 22.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.0% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city the population was spread out with 17.8% under the age of 18, 31.7% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 15.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females there were 102.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,795, and the median income for a family was $52,628. Males had a median income of $36,574 versus $27,186 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $18,664. About 8.1% of families and 22.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 13.0% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

The 2005 median home value was $131,000, a 6.8% increase from 2004, according to Money Magazine.

== Economy ==

In addition to the [[University of Illinois]], Champaign is also home to [[Parkland College]]. A [[Kraft Foods]] plant (and adjacent [[AC Humko]] plant), a Fed-Ex Ground hub, the world's largest steam factory, and [[Herff-Jones]] (formerly the Collegiate Cap and Gown) form part of the city's industrial base.

The city also features a large technology and software industry mostly focusing around research and development of new technologies. The Research Park, located in southern Champaign and backed by [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|the University of Illinois]], is home to many companies including [[iCyt]] (a biotechnology company), the [[Illinois Natural History Survey]], the [[Illinois State Geological Survey]], the [[Illinois State Water Survey]], [[Yahoo!]], the [[National Center for Supercomputing Applications]], [[Science Applications International Corporation]], [[State Farm Research Center]] <ref>[http://www.sfresearchcenter.com State Farm Research Center]</ref> , and [[Tekion]] (a fuel cell company). Numerous other software and technology companies also have offices in Champaign including [[Wolfram Research]], [[AMD]], [[Intel]], [[IBM]], [[Amdocs]], Instarecon, [[Phonak]], [[Power World]], [[Caterpillar Simulation Center]], and [[Volition, Inc.]]. The [[United States Army Corps of Engineers]] maintains the [[Construction Engineering Research Laboratory]] (CERL) in Champaign.

Champaign is also home to nationally recognized record labels, artist management companies, booking agencies and recording studios. [[Polyvinyl Records]], [[Undertow Music]], [[Parasol Records]], Great Western Record Recorders, Pogo Studios, and Nicodemus Booking Agency are all based in Champaign.

== Partial list of mayors ==

* [[Gerald Schweighart]] (1999-present)
* [[Dannel McCollum]] (1987-1999)
* [[Robert Dodd]] (1983-1986)
* [[Joan Severns]] (1979-1983)
* [[O.B. Dobbins]] (1913-1914)

==Landmarks and districts==
===Champaign City Building===
[[Image:P1010049.JPG|thumb|200px|The Champaign City Building.]]
The Champaign City Building serves as the City Hall and is a recognizable landmark. As one of the most visible buildings in the downtown district, it serves as a city symbol, with its likeness featured on the city seal. The ornate decoration, [[art deco]] architecture, and copper roof distinguish the building. The building was originally used by the city as the headquarters for the fire department. It later became the headquarters for the police department, complete with indoor shooting range, before becoming the current city offices.

===The Tower at 3rd===
The newly-renamed Tower at 3rd (formerly Champaign Hilton, Century 21, Quality Inn, University Inn, Presidential Tower) is located in the Campustown district and is over twenty stories high. A hotel until 2001, it currently houses student apartments and several [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|University of Illinois]] offices, including the Office of Continuing Education. The Tower and a massive art-deco apartment complex a few blocks away form a scenic duo in the center of Campustown, giving it a city feel.

=== Downtown ===

In the 1980s part of the downtown Champaign area (Neil St.) was closed to vehicular traffic to create a pedestrian mall, but this short-lived experiment was scrapped when business declined. Initiated by Jon "Cody" Sokolski of One Main Development, the downtown area of Champaign was recently the target of a largely successful revitalization effort designed to bring more businesses into the area and return the downtown district to the center of city life. In addition to efforts which restored the facades on many of the historic buildings, additional construction projects including restaurants, bars, shops, office space, and condominiums, have recently increased the size of the downtown area, while still maintaining the distinct turn-of-the-century architecture associated with the city. [[Image:Downtown Champaign1.JPG|thumb|200px|Downtown Champaign.]]The new growth in downtown Champaign has coincided with the larger growth of the "north Prospect" shopping district on the city's northern boundary. The growth in the north Prospect area relies, in part, on leapfrogging, moving out to the countryside and developing more remote farm land that eventually connects to the main development. Given the overwhelming success of such suburban shopping areas nationally, new development within any city center represents an alternative to the dominant movement out and away from the cities. In April 2007 One Main Development broke ground on a nine story $30 million dollar mixed use project, the largest ever for downtown Champaign, to be located at the corner of Neil and Church Street. M2 on Neil will feature ground floor retail, office and 50 condominiums. The project is expected to be complete in late 2008. The City of Champaign is also constructing a six story parking structure on Hill Street. Construction on this project is expected to begin in January and be completed by Fall 2008.

==== Boardman's Art Theatre ====

Boardman's Art Theatre, which shows critically-acclaimed independent and foreign films, was built in 1913 as the Park Theatre. It has since undergone several changes in name and repertoire, including a phase from 1969 to 1986, in which it showed adult films.<ref>[http://cinematreasures.org/theater/1851/ Cinema Treasures: Boardman's Art Theatre] Accessed [[October 18]], [[2007]]</ref> The theatre is the only single-screen [[movie theater]] still in existence operating daily as a movie theatre in Champaign-Urbana.

====Historic Virginia Theatre====
The Historic Virginia Theatre is a recently-restored 1525-seat movie theater, dating back to the 1920s. It has an ornate, Spanish Renaissance-influenced interior, full stage and dressing rooms, and an elaborate Wurlitzer pipe organ. It hosts [[Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival]] [http://www.ebertfest.com/] and has a single 56' x 23' screen. The theater does not have a daily show schedule, but schedules special screenings and live performances several times each month.

====Campustown====

[[Image:Campustown1.JPG|thumb|200px|Green Street.]]
Located along Green Street, this commercial district serves as the entertainment and retail center for students at the University of Illinois. This area has been undergoing great change since 2002 with the completion of a new $7 million streetscape project. Campustown is now attracting new retail and entertainment stores as well as serving as the center for new construction projects. Several new projects will be opening in 2008 including the 18 story Burnham high-rise and grocery store at 4th and Springfield, and a new 24 story apartment building at 309 East Green Street.

== Parks ==

{{main|Champaign Park District}}

There are 58 parks within the city of Champaign, totaling over 552 [[acre]]s (2 km²) of parkland.<ref>[http://www.champaignparkdistrict.com/general/faq.htm Champaign Park District - General Info - FAQs]. Accessed [[October 10]], [[2008]]</ref>

== Transportation ==

Champaign is served by [[Interstate 57|I-57]], [[Interstate 72|I-72]], [[Interstate 74|I-74]], two [[railroad]] lines, and the University of Illinois operated [[University of Illinois Willard Airport|Willard Airport]] (CMI). The local bus system, which is supported by the taxpayers of the [[Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District|Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD)]] and the University of Illinois, serves Champaign, Urbana, Savoy, and surrounding areas.

The former [[Illinois Central Railroad]] line &mdash; now part of the [[Canadian National Railway|Canadian National]] system &mdash; runs north to south through the city. A spur line from the Canadian National line provides service to several large industries, including two large food processing plants, on the west edge of Champaign and two grain elevators in outlying communities to the west. The [[Norfolk Southern Railway|Norfolk Southern]] operates an east to west line through Champaign. The NS line connects industries in eastern Urbana to the Norfolk Southern main line at [[Mansfield, Illinois]], west of Champaign. The line now operated by Norfolk Southern is the former [[Peoria & Eastern Railway]], later operated as part of the Big Four ([[Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway]]), [[New York Central]], [[Penn Central Transportation|Penn Central]], and [[Conrail]] systems, being sold by Conrail to Norfolk Southern in 1996. Construction of the line was begun by the [[Danville, Urbana, Bloomington and Pekin Railroad]]. This short-lived entity became part of the [[Indianapolis, Bloomington and Western Railway]] before the railroad was completed.

[[Amtrak]], the national passenger rail system, provides service to Champaign-Urbana. Amtrak Train 59, the southbound [[City of New Orleans]], is scheduled to depart Champaign at 10:34 p.m. daily with service to Mattoon, Effingham, Centralia, [[Carbondale, Illinois|Carbondale]], Fulton, Newbern-Dyersburg, [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]], Greenwood, Yazoo City, [[Jackson, Mississippi|Jackson]], Hazlehurst, Brookhaven, McComb, Hammond, and [[New Orleans]]. Amtrak Train 58, the northbound City of New Orleans, is scheduled to depart Champaign at 6:10am daily with service to Kankakee, Homewood, and [[Union Station (Chicago)|Chicago]]. Champaign-Urbana is also served by Amtrak Train 390/391, the [[Saluki (Amtrak)|Saluki]], daily in the morning, and Amtrak Train 392/393, the [[Illini (Amtrak)|Illini]], daily in the afternoon/evening. Both the Saluki and the Illini operate between Chicago and Carbondale.

[[Greyhound Lines]], Illini Shuttle [http://www.illinishuttle.com], and Suburban Express [http://www.suburbanexpress.com] bus companies also serve Champaign.<ref>[http://www.ci.champaign.il.us/parking_trans/index.php The City of Champaign Illinois: Public Transportation] Accessed [[October 18]], [[2007]]</ref> In 1999, a newly designed [[intermodal passenger transport|intermodal]] transportation center, aptly named Illinois Terminal by historic reference to the defunct [[interurban|electric interurban]] rail line that once ran through Champaign, was completed and serves as a central facility for intercity passenger rail and bus services as well as the MTD's local bus network. The terminal has within the last year experienced a 51% increase in passenger traffic. {{Fact|date=May 2008}}

==Media==
===FM Radio===

* 88.1 W201CK (Translates 90.7 [[KHRI (FM)|KHRI]]) "[[Air 1]]", [[Christian contemporary music|Christian CHR]]
* 88.7 [[WPCD]], Parkland College [[College radio|College Radio]]
* 89.3 [[WGNJ]], Religious
* 90.1 [[WEFT]], [[Community radio]]
* 90.9 [[WILL]], [[Classical music]] ([[Radio Data System|RDS]])
* 91.7 [[WBGL]], [[Christian contemporary music|Christian AC]] (RDS)
* 92.5 [[WCFF]] "92.5 The Chief", [[Adult hits|Adult Hits]] (RDS - Artist/Title)
* 93.5 [[WEBX]] "93.5 The Source" [[Modern Rock]] (RDS)
* 94.5 [[WLRW]] "Mix 94.5" [[Adult contemporary music|Hot AC]] (RDS - Artist/Title) ([[HD Radio]])
* 95.3 [[WLFH]] "95.3 The Wolf" [[Country music|Country]] (RDS)
* 96.1 [[WQQB]] "Q 96", [[Top 40 (radio format)|CHR/Pop]] (RDS)
* 97.5 [[WHMS-FM]] "Lite Rock 97.5" [[Adult contemporary music|Adult Contemporary]]
* 99.1 [[WXTT]] "Extra 99.1" [[Rock music|Rock]] (RDS - Artist/Title)
* 100.3 [[WIXY]] "WIXY 100.3" [[Country music|Country]] (RDS - Artist/Title)
* 101.1 W266AF (Translates 90.9 [[WILL]]), [[Classical music]]
* 102.5 [[WGNN]], Religious
* 103.9 W280DE (Translates 102.5 [[WGNN]]), Religious
* 104.5 [[WRFU]] "Radio Free Urbana", Variety
* 105.5 [[WCZQ]] "Hot 105.5" [[Hip Hop & R&B]]
* 105.9 [[WGKC]], [[Classic rock|Classic Rock]] (RDS)
* 107.1 [[WPGU]], University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign [[Alternative rock|Alternative]] [[College radio|College Radio]]

===AM Radio===

* 580 [[WILL]], [[National Public Radio|Public Radio]]
* 1400 [[WDWS]], [[Talk radio|News/Talk]] ([[AM stereo|AM Stereo]])
* 1460 [[WJCI]], [[Sports radio|Sports]]
* 1580 [[WBCP]], [[Urban Adult Contemporary]]

===Analog Television===

* 3 [[WCIA (TV)|WCIA]], [[CBS]]
* 7 W07DD, [[Three Angels Network]]
* 12 [[WILL]], [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]]
* 15 [[WICD (TV)|WICD]] "NewsChannel 15", [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
* 17 [[WAND]], [[NBC]]
* 23 [[WBUI]], [[The CW Television Network|CW]]
* 27 [[WRSP-TV|WCCU]] "Fox 55/27"
* 34 W33AY, [[Trinity Broadcast Network]]
* 44 WBXC-CA, [[MTV|MTV 2]]
* 49 [[WCFN]] "My WCFN TV" [[My Network TV]]
* 51 [[WEIU-TV|WEIU]], [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]]

===Digital Television (DTV)===

* 9 WILL-DT, PBS
* 18 WAND-DT, NBC
* 22 WBUI-DT, CW
* 26 WCCU-DT, Fox
* 41 WICD-DT, ABC
* 48 WCIA-DT, CBS
* 50 WEIU-DT, PBS

===Print===

* The News-Gazette, daily local [[newspaper]]
* [[Daily Illini]]
* [[Buzz Weekly]]
* [[The Hub Weekly]]

== Famous people from Champaign ==

*[[Scott Anderson (physicist)|Scott Anderson]], physicist
*[[Bonnie Blair]], olympic gold-medalist speed skater
*[[Braid (band)|Braid]], rock band
*[[Bill Geist]], CBS News correspondent
*[[Matt Herges]], major league pitcher
*[[Hum (band)|Hum]], [[space rock]]/[[alternative rock]] group
*[[Michael H. Kenyon]], nicknamed the "Enema Bandit"
*[[Alison Krauss]], bluegrass singer
* Jimmy John Liautaud (Founder of restaurant [[Jimmy John's]])
*[[Ludacris]] (Christopher Bridges), rapper
*[[Vashti McCollum]] won a [[Supreme Court of the United States|U.S. Supreme Court]] case against religious teaching in public schools; her son Dannel would later be a mayor for Champaign three terms
*[[Poster Children]], rock group
*[[Bob Richards]], olympic gold-medalist pole vaulter
*[[Jerry Sanders (businessman)|Jerry Sanders]] Founder and former CEO of [[Advanced Micro Devices]] ([[AMD]]) W. J. (Jerry) Sanders, graduated from the U of I's Electrical Engineering Department (now Electrical and Computer Engineering Department) in 1958.
*[[Lewis Hastings Sarett]], inventor of synthetic [[cortisone]]
*[[Adam Seward]], [[Carolina Panthers]] linebacker
*[[REO Speedwagon]], rock group
*[[Starcastle]], rock group
*[[James Tobin]], laureate of the [[Nobel prize in economics]](1981)
*[[George Will]], political columnist
*[[Douglas Wilson (interior designer)|Douglas Wilson]], interior designer and television personality.

== Points of interest ==

* [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign]]
* [[University of Illinois Arboretum]]
* [[Parkland College]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|4}}

==External links==
* [http://www.ci.champaign.il.us/ City of Champaign Web Site]
* [http://www.uiuc.edu/ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Main Page]
* [http://www.parkland.edu/ Parkland College Home Page]
* [http://www.downtownchampaign.com Downtown Champaign]
* [http://www.visitchampaigncounty.org/ Champaign County Convention and Visitors Bureau]
* [http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilchampa/towns-townships/champtwnshp.html/ Early History of Champaign]
* [http://www.ci.champaign.il.us/maps/ City of Champaign Maps]
* [http://history.rays-place.com/il/cham-champainectown.htm History of Champaign]

{{University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus}}
{{Champaign County, Illinois}}
{{Illinois}}

[[Category:Cities in Illinois]]
[[Category:Champaign County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Settlements established in 1855]]
[[Category:Champaign, Illinois| ]]

[[bn:শ্যাম্পেইন, ইলিনয়]]
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Revision as of 00:13, 11 October 2008

Example of stadium seating.
"Stadium seating" can also be used as a synonym for festival seating.

Stadium seating is a technique used in performing-arts venues, educational facilities, religious institutions [1], and movie theaters to allow more guests to see an event with less blockage than traditional seating. Like seating in a football or baseball stadium, stadium seating in theaters is usually a 30 degree slope stepped upwards from the bottom of the theater, as opposed to the approximately 15 degree gentle slope in traditional theaters. This slope improves sightlines for visitors and reduces the chance that a tall person will block the view of a short person behind them. Sometimes the sloping floor is not stepped, with the disadvantage that items can roll down.

There has been some criticism of stadium seating because it usually isn't possible for disabled people in wheelchairs to climb them. To reduce the problem, venues with stadium seating generally mark the row at walk-in level for disabled patrons. This row is more open than those above or below it and includes empty spaces for wheelchairs.

Stadium seating on a roller coaster

The trains on some roller coasters are also configured in tiers; this seating configuration is also sometimes called stadium seating. Three prominent examples of roller coasters whose trains use this type of seating are Millennium Force at Cedar Point[2], which opened in 2000, SheiKra at Busch Gardens Tampa [3], which opened in 2005, and Griffon at Busch Gardens Europe, which opened in 2007 [4].

Converting sloped-floor theaters to stadium seating theaters requires raising the ceiling and adding risers, so owners of movie theaters often judge conversion as not cost effective.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ Connelly, Richard. "A Loew(s) Blow." Houston Press. March 15, 2001.
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