Andrew Pace
The Verizon Center, now known as the Capital One Arena, is a sports and entertainment arena in Washington, D.C. The venue is home to the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association. The arena has a seating capacity of 20,173 for basketball and 18,277 for hockey, and it can change between the two sports within a day. The transition involves covering the rink, deconstructing the boards, and laying down the hardwood and baskets for basketball. The Verizon Center crew is well-versed in making these changes, and the process usually takes around two and a half hours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Arena name | Verizon Center (formerly MCI Center) |
| Location | Chinatown, Washington, D.C. |
| Teams | Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Wizards (NBA), Georgetown Hoyas (NCAA), Washington Mystics (WNBA) |
| Capacity | 20,173 for basketball, 18,277 for hockey |
| Conversion process | Cover rink, deconstruct boards, lay down hardwood and baskets for basketball |
| Conversion time | Approximately 2.5 hours |
| Staff | Ice resurfacing specialists, basketball floor specialists, pyrotechnic specialists |
| Number of sheets to cover ice | 115 |
| Number of wood pieces for basketball floor | 14 rows of 75 individual pieces |
| Number of rolls of turf carpet | 15 |
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What You'll Learn
- Staff cover the rink, deconstruct the boards, and lay the basketball floor
- The ice rink is covered with 115 sheets of insulated flooring
- The basketball floor is made of 14 rows of 75 individual pieces of wood
- The basketball floor must be up to standard, so there are staff members trained for this
- The transition from hockey to basketball is easier than the other way around
Staff cover the rink, deconstruct the boards, and lay the basketball floor
The Verizon Center, now known as the Capital One Arena, is a sports and entertainment arena in Washington, D.C., USA. The arena is home to the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association. The venue regularly switches between hosting basketball and hockey games, with staff trained for specific surface changes.
The process of changing the arena from a hockey rink to a basketball court involves several steps and can take around two and a half hours. First, the Verizon Center staff will cover the ice rink. This involves placing 115 sheets of insulated flooring over the ice surface. Once the ice is completely covered, the staff will then deconstruct the hockey boards. With the rink covered and the boards removed, the basketball floor can be laid down. This consists of 14 rows of 75 individual pieces of wood, creating the basketball court.
The operations crew at the Verizon Center is well-versed in making this transition, and it is considered a routine process for them. They are trained to efficiently execute the necessary steps and are referred to as the "'bull gang,'" a term used to describe crews that manually lift or move heavy objects. The crew's expertise ensures that the arena can seamlessly host both basketball and hockey games, accommodating the different requirements of each sport.
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The ice rink is covered with 115 sheets of insulated flooring
The Verizon Center, now known as the Capital One Arena, is a sports and entertainment arena in Washington, D.C., USA. The arena is home to the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association. The venue regularly switches between hosting basketball and hockey games, with the operations crew well-versed in flipping the venue between the two setups.
The transition from hockey to basketball at the Verizon Center typically takes around two and a half hours, which is considered a little longer than normal for the crew. However, the process is generally easier when transitioning from basketball to hockey, as it involves more teardown than buildup. The crew's expertise and experience with the multiple switches every week contribute to their ability to efficiently transform the arena.
The Verizon Center, affectionately nicknamed the "Phone Booth," is a significant landmark in D.C.'s Chinatown. The arena has a seating capacity of 20,173 for basketball and 18,277 for hockey, accommodating fans for both sports.
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The basketball floor is made of 14 rows of 75 individual pieces of wood
The Verizon Center, now known as the Capital One Arena, is a sports and entertainment arena in Washington, D.C. The venue is home to the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association, among other teams.
The basketball court at the Verizon Center is made of 14 rows of 75 individual pieces of wood. This amounts to 115 sheets of insulated floor that cover the ice during basketball games. The basketball floor is constructed and deconstructed by staff members who are trained specifically for this surface.
The use of wood for basketball courts is steeped in tradition. Wood, and particularly maple hardwood, is favoured for its durability, longevity, and performance. Maple is a tight-grained wood species, giving it an extra dense and strong structure. This strength allows it to withstand the rigorous demands of basketball games, especially with proper care and maintenance.
The light hue of the wood also provides a stark contrast against the basketball, making it easier for players to track the ball's movement during gameplay. The light colour of the court surface also reflects light effectively, resulting in enhanced brightness within the arena and contributing to the game's overall visibility.
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The basketball floor must be up to standard, so there are staff members trained for this
The Verizon Center, now known as the Capital One Arena, is a sports and entertainment arena in Washington, D.C. It is home to the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association. The arena regularly switches between being a hockey rink and a basketball court, with staff members trained for these specific surfaces.
The basketball floor must be up to standard, so there are staff members trained to ensure this. The basketball floor is made up of 14 rows of 75 individual pieces of wood, and it is crucial that it is safe for players to use. The staff, or "basketball guys", are trained in ensuring the basketball floor is up to the required standard. This includes inspecting and maintaining the floor to ensure it is in good condition and safe for gameplay. They may also be responsible for assembling and disassembling the floor, as the arena frequently switches between sports.
The process of converting the arena from hockey to basketball involves covering the ice rink, deconstructing the boards, and laying down the hardwood floor and baskets. This process usually takes the trained staff around two and a half hours, although it can vary depending on the circumstances. For example, the type of conversion, the availability of resources, and the number of staff on hand can all impact the time it takes.
The staff members, also known as the "bull gang", are well-versed in making these quick switches between sports. They are highly skilled and efficient in their roles, ensuring that the basketball floor meets the required standards for professional basketball games. The crew's expertise contributes to the smooth and seamless transformation of the arena, accommodating the different requirements of each sport.
The Verizon Center's ability to swiftly change between a basketball court and a hockey rink is a testament to the training and proficiency of its staff members. Their dedication ensures that the basketball floor is always up to the required standard, providing a safe and professional playing environment for the athletes.
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The transition from hockey to basketball is easier than the other way around
The Verizon Center, now known as the Capital One Arena, is a sports and entertainment arena in Washington, D.C. It is home to the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association. The arena hosts games for both teams and often has to switch between hockey and basketball setups.
Transitioning from hockey to basketball is easier than the other way around. According to Bill Harpole, vice president of operations at Verizon Center, it is "more of a tear-down operation than a build-up". The process involves covering the rink, deconstructing the boards, and laying down the basketball floor and hoops. This usually takes the operations crew about two and a half hours, though they have been known to do it faster.
The basketball floor consists of 14 rows of 75 individual pieces of wood, while the hockey rink has 115 sheets of insulated flooring over the ice. The basketball setup also requires the installation of hoops, which are sometimes fitted with flamethrowers for Wizards games. The hockey setup, on the other hand, involves resurfacing the ice and ensuring its quality, which can be a persistent issue at the Verizon Center.
The Verizon Center's operations crew is well-versed in transitioning the arena between different sports and events. They have to be prepared for quick turnarounds, such as when a blizzard forced them to switch from a concert setup to hockey and then to basketball within a short time. The crew includes specialists for different components of events, like the "ice guys" who drive the Olympia ice resurfacers and basketball guys who ensure the basketball floor is up to standard.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about two and a half hours to convert the Verizon Center from a hockey rink to a basketball court, which is a little longer than usual.
The Verizon Center staff cover the rink, deconstruct the boards, and lay down the hardwood and baskets.
The Verizon Center has a dedicated operations crew that handles the conversion process. The crew includes specialists for specific surfaces, such as "ice guys" and "basketball guys."
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