Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-04-28
STADIUM WILL
BE BIG AFFAIR
SEATTLE EXPOSITION PLANS
ATHLETIC PLANT
WELL EQUIPPED TRACK AND
eRANDsTAND UNDER WAY
Details of Building Show Minute Prep
arations Made for Reception of
Athletes and Seating of
10000 Spectators
Especial to The Herald.l


SEATTLE. Wash, April "a. - The
stadium of the Alaska Pacific exposi-
ton will comfortably afford seating
capacity for 10000 spectators, and every
seat will command an unobstructed
view of the track, two baseball dia-
monds and football field. 1t is built on
the edge of Lake Washington, and
from the grandstands many of the
larger aquatic events may be viewed.
Across the lake the snow-eovered peaks
of the Cascades, Mount Rainier and
Olympics are close at hand and supply
a noble background.
The stadium track is of the new
spiral type; it is oval in form and
scales four laps to the mile. 1t con-
tains a straightaway of 220 yards, and
both tracks are as fast as can be made.
Two baseball diamonds are laid out In
the center and the football field is
placed between the grandstands.
In the track construction the follow
ing course was followed: After exca-
waiting six inches of coarse gravel was
laid and this was heavily rolled. On
top of this is laid covering of fine
gravel of the same depth, and this Is
crushed in place with 15-ton rollers.
The top dressing is of cinders six
inches deep and rolled in thin layers.
The tracks are thoroughly drained by
tile and a fast course is always in
sured. while heavy going is obviated.
Sprinkling apparatus has been In
stalled. and during all weather dust
will be avoided. The long distance of
the oval is from north to south and the
site is ideal.
The grandstands are two in num-
bers and are built on the east and west
side of the oval. In dimensions they
are 36Ox7O feet, and the seats are ar
ranged in 15-inch rises. The entrances
are made direct from the bottom of
each isle, which prevents any conges-
ton in exit or admittance. Both build
ings are fitted with row of stage
boxes having a seating capacity of
from four to eight people. The height
at which the seats are placed permits
of sufficient rise to insure uninter-
rupted view from every position. and in
overcoming the 15-inch difference be-
tween seat platforms two short steps
are used. Particular attention has been
given to view point, and the sight lines
are ideal. All aisles give away on the
oval, and between the grandstandS and
the track an open space of sixteen feet
has been reserved for entrance and
exit
The dressing rooms, baths and toilet
rooms for contestants and rooms for
the public are provided for beneath
the grandstands, and are fitted with all
necessary conveniences.
All entrances of stadium contestants
will be made directly into the oval from
the central arch of the grandstands,
and in this regard will closely follow
the old Roman method. By this sys-
tenn an unusually effective and desir-
able end is accomplished and does
away with the scattered and struggling
appearance generally observed.
The stadium and tracks are designed
by Mr.. Louis Baeder, assistant director
of works, and the work of construction
is being carried out under his personal
supervision All work on the stadium
will be completed by the middle of
May, and on June 1 when the eXposi-
ton is opened to the public the track
will be in the pink of condition.