The Memphis Pyramid

The Pyramid Arena in Memphis Tennessee is one of the most uniquely designed structures on earth. The 32 story Pyramid is the third largest pyramid in the world and soars even taller than the Statue of Liberty or the Taj Mahal. Managed and operated by SMG, this 21,000 seat sports and entertainment facility is home to the NBA Memphis Grizzlies and the University of Memphis Men's Basketball Program and is well known for hosting national basketball tournaments, concerts and family shows.

Here are a few quick facts about The Pyramid Arena:

• On the bank of the Mighty Mississippi River, the arena is housed inside a 32 story stainless steel pyramid, paying homage to the Memphis' namesake - Memphis on the Nile River.
  
  
• This giant pyramid has more than a half million square feet of usable space inside.
  
  
• With a footprint larger than six football fields, The Pyramid's base covers 360,000 square feet.
  
  
• Seating capacity is approximately 21,000 for concerts and just over 20,000 for basketball.
  
  
• Twenty-six lower level luxury suites are located on the plaza concourse.
  
  
• Two additional suites are designed for disabled patron. Disabled seating is also available on all three levels of The Pyramid.
  
  
• The Pyramid Gallery of Stars is an informal gathering area on the East Mezzanine, featuring super-size photos of the biggest stars in sports and entertainment. All of the photos were taken from past Pyramid events. The Gallery area also features additional restrooms and concessions.
  
  
• The backstage areas include 10 dressing rooms, four locker rooms, a media work room, interview room, show production office and green room.
  
  
• The giant center hung scoreboard has the latest state-of-the-art LED video display board technology. The entire system features full video production capabilities; four center-hung 12-foot by 10-foot replay boards and 24 concession stand monitors.

Seating:

• 20,142 seats for basketball
• 20,000+ seats for concerts
• Half house curtain system to accommodate 5,000 to 10,000 seats

Electrical:

• One (1) 5 wire 800 amp per leg, 30-208v., fused disconnect, backstage left
• Two (2) 5 wire 600 amp per leg, 30-208v., fused disconnect, backstage left
• One (1) 5 wire 400 amp per leg, 30-208v., fused disconnect, backstage right

Lighting:

• 185 Widelite, 1000w MVR fixtures, providing 146 horizontal foot candles, 75 vertical foot candles and 65 color rendering.

Loading Dock:

• Four (4) 50A bus electrical outlets.
• Parking for seven (7) trucks.

Freight Elevator:

• One (1) Dover 10,000 lb. Capacity.

Spotlights:

• Eight (8) Strong, Xenon Gladiator III's

Staging:

• Sico staging. 130, 4' x 8' deck panels.
• Four (4) eight rise modular step w/rails & wheels, carpeted. Two (2) six rise modular step (2+2+2 w rails & wheels, carpeted).
• Two (2) rise step w/rails & wheels, carpeted.
• Eighteen (18) 8' guard rails.
• Four (4) 4' guard rails.
• Ten (10) 8' chair stops.
• House barricade.
• Handicap ramp.

Dressing Rooms:

• One (1) Women's chorus room. 480 sq. ft. Showers and restroom.
• One (1) men's chorus room. 480 sq. ft. Showers and restroom.
• Eight (8) dressing rooms. 290 sq. ft. each. Each room is equipped with bath tub, shower units.

Green Room:

• 500 sq. Ft.

Rigging:

• Floating grid.
• Floor to low beam: 95'
• Total load capacity, 150,000 lbs.
• Catwalk around perimeter of grid.

Production Office:

• 250 sq. ft.

Security:

• Uniformed security on duty at all times. Local off-duty police officers, private uniformed security guard service and peer group security available for events.

Sound:

• Anchitech sound system. Sound clusters located on grid. Sound cluster located on bottom of scoreboard. Speakers located around main concourse area.

Disabled Patron Services:

• Seating for disabled patrons is available on each level. Accessible parking is available at the southeast corner of the facility. This is located near the handicap entrance of the building. All concession stands and restrooms are accessible.

PLANS, NOT PUBLIC SUPPORT, COMING TOGETHER IN MEMPHIS
June 14, 2001
Copyright 2000 MediaVentures

While political officials in Memphis finalize plans to build a new arena for the Vancouver Grizzlies, public support for the new NBA team is weakening. A new poll taken for the Memphis Commercial Appeal shows just over half of local residents support the county's financing plan, but up to two-thirds have some concerns about individual elements. The city and county already approved their funding packages. Some elements of state funding are awaiting approval.

A large number of those polled are concerned that attendance won't live up to projections and a nearly equal number believe their taxes will increase to help fund the arena. Residents were polled about the plan in general and then again after explaining elements of the financing plan. When offered a choice between the current plan or no NBA team, support for a new $250 million arena did not change.

Most of those polled liked the idea of using arena revenues to finance the building, but they also opposed the use of revenue bonds described as "less secure" than general obligation bonds.

Meanwhile, a group of citizens opposed to the plan have mailed 50,000 letters to Memphis-area residents hoping to fill a petition with names and force a referendum. The group has not revealed the source of its funding. The mailing included a return envelope with a live stamp.

The group says it's not opposed to the team, but to the funding plan. It needs 41,000 signatures by June 15 to force a city election and 58,000 to force a county vote.

A judge also allowed a lawsuit challenging the financing plan to move forward. The suit claims the financing plan constitutes an illegal public loan to a private firm. The decision allows the suit to move forward with the filing of position papers. The judge will then reconsider the lawsuit's merits.

The lawsuit could prove to be a problem, regardless of its success. The NBA wants to have all necessary documents in place before it approves the move. Local investors want to tied up those details by the end of this week.

NCAA 1869-Present

GM Place 1995-2001 NBA 1949-Present FedExForum 2004-Present

---

Help us provide a better web site by sending us your
Comments, Suggestions, Complaints, Contributions, Additions, Pictures, or Literary Works to
the Ballparks.COM Webmasters

BALLPARKS © 1996-2007 by Munsey & Suppes.