Add More Seats To An Arena Part 2

Over a year ago I suggested that additional seats could be added to an NHL arena by installing a system that would hydraulically lift a section of seats, allowing the Zamboni to pass through.

This time I won’t suggest anything as drastic:

1. Taper off the stairs as they reach the bottom (or top of the nosebleeds) of the section, because let’s face it - not everyone is sitting in the front (or back) row. Not only would this allow for more premium seats, but provides a staggered seating arrangement, meaning you won’t be sitting directly behind the person in front of you. Dwindling down the staircase width from 2/3 persons wide down to one person wide at the bottom is optimal.

2. Install little balconies on the upper deck of seats that are directly above the stairs. This will only impede the vision of those standing in the concourse or at the top of the steps, and only if they are trying to take a gander at the scoreboard.

Other ideas not pictured:

3. Adaptable seating: If a luxury suite is not being used, close up access to the suite, and open up a few rows of seats for the public. These seats would be merged with the general seating bowl, so fans would get to the seats via the stairs in the bowl. This could also be done for the press area.

4. Okay this one is pretty out there - a “sky bar” built into the main scoreboard. It would feature a glass floor and outer glass perimeter to watch the game. This would essentially be like watching a game from the moon in The Truman Show! The scoreboard would have to be bigger, and need to be somewhat soundproof as all the arena speakers are located adjacently. I don’t see this being a seating area, but a bar or pub venue.

If you think all of these ideas are a little crazy (I wouldn’t blame you one bit), here is something to check out: They are installing a sky bridge at Madison Square Garden. Really.