the old Armory Gets A New Look

by Donna Dye

The New York Armory has quietly been undergoing a face lift.. The changes were mostly outside and structural. But when the Armory opened its doors for the 2002-03 season, a new dramatic interior was unveiled. The track floor entrance is now a classy lobby with glass doors, quiet blue walls and dramatic pictures of track and field greats in action. Inside the track there is the new Armorytron, a giant video screen showing live video and replays of events. There is now mondo surface for the pole vault and other infield areas. And, the work is not finished. More is to come throughout the building and in particular the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.

The Architects of Change

The great minds behind the changes to the building and the approach to putting on track and field meets are Dr. Norbert Sander (l) and Lou Vasquez.

A Pictorial Tour

Entry and Lobby

Starting with the outside, the building sports a new clean look. The approach includes a ramp for easy access by wheelchairs. A new surface has been added along with a hand rail. Over the door sits a sign announcing that the National Track and Field Hall of Fame is inside. At night, silhouette images of track and field athletes light the walls.

Once inside, there is new lobby with a greeting station.

Up the stairs on the main floor is a completely new lobby made of glass, prints of athletes and blue green color. Also, there are attendants monitoring the lobby area to assure all is in order.

Glass doors provide entry into the arena on the main floor. The glass doors are part of a glass wall that extends from one end of the floor to the other. (New lighting is scheduled to be installed in the future.)

One section of the glass wall contains a wall-to-wall display of the Armory National and World Records

	At the other end of the glass wall is a unique presentation of the National Hall of Fame inductees.
	The Wall of National Hall of Fame provides motivation for the young while honoring the greats.

	Opposite the glass wall is a wall divider that houses pictures of elite athletes while concealingrest room entrances.
	The pictures are lifelike giving the lobby an athletic energy.

Other items adorning the walls are Armory High School Records for Boys and Girls and posters of yesteryear.

The Arena

Once inside the track and field area, the ceiling rises adorned with huge flags. Freshly painted spectator seating lines the entire mezzanine floor. To stimulate the crowd, there is lively music while the events take place.

A new feature of the Armory is the Armorytron--a large, wide screen that provides real time viewing of the events, as well as video replay and spectator moments from the Armorycam. The screen is dedicated to C. Virginia Fields, President Manhattan Borough, whose efforts made the Armorytron possible.
	High above the floor in the spectator seating is the control booth for the Armorytron.
The fast banked track has seen many records come and go.

Crowds really get into the action, cheering, stomping and clapping to the music. Energy abounds!

The Armory does things in a big way. While meets have many participants, generally between 500 and 5000, officials have their system to keep the action moving. Here, athletes line up and wait to run relays and the 55 meter dash, while the officials keep order.

	Ian Brooks is the voice of the Armory calling the meets and exciting the crowd with his enthusiasm and love of the sport.

Refreshments

With all of the cheering and clapping, the crowds need refreshments. The second floor mezzanine holds the goodies in the Snack and Field or in umbrella covered carts in the hall corners.
	Hot Dogs and Pretzels can be bought from the carts.

Warm-up Area

Between the street level and the track level are the warm-up areas with a mondo floor, one on each side of the building.

A Busy Schedule

It's a busy busy place with 90+ meets a season. Here the schedule hangs from on the Armory wall.

The Armory has come a long way. Next steps include a home for the National Track and Field Hall of Fame. Until recently, the Hall of Fame has filled the hallways of the Mezzanine area and the front stairs. Now, a specific area is being renovated to hold the memorabilia, artifacts, pictures and other treasures of the Hall of Fame.

With the banked track, Armorytron, music to run by, great spectators seats, fun food, well run meets, and history, you'll always have a great time at the Armory for track and field.

 

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