All systems go for Portland's JELD-WEN debut Franchise looking for first MLS win as Timbers fever grips town PORTLAND, Ore. – JELD-WEN Field made a spectacular first impression on members of the Portland media, the team and other guests assembled Tuesday for a luncheon at the refurbished stadium. Work crews attended to some of the final details while the small gathered crowd took in the bright green expanse of turf and the gleaming new features of the stadium, including the KeyBank Club Level. Excitement for the Timbers’ arrival as an MLS franchise is probably higher this week than it was for the season-opener at Colorado. On Thursday night, the Timbers and their fans will usher in a new era for the city. “For me, it means we’re realizing the potential of the game in this city,” said technical director and general manager Gavin Wilkinson, who came to Portland 10 years ago as a player. Take a look inside JELD-WEN Field: http://pgepark.io-media.com/ JELD-WEN Field features a new east-side grandstand, new locker-room facilities and wide range of renovations and upgrades. It is the latest in a series of improvements to an athletic field that has been a gathering place in the city for almost 120 years. “Thursday can’t come soon enough, because I know everybody’s excited about it,” said midfielder Jeremy Hall. “We just want to get a win. That’s the most important thing right now. We want to show that we’re going to be a tough team to beat his year, especially at home.” http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/all-systems-go-portlands-jeld-wen-debut
JELD-WEN Field's design "give the Timbers an amazing home field advantage" Architect tells how the new field helps the team Fans streaming into JELD-WEN Field will do more than a few double takes at this Thursday’s home opener against Chicago. The North End rafters that for years have rung with the sound of “You Are My Sunshine” and “No Pity In The Rose City” are still there. But over on the 18th Avenue side is the brand spanking new woodwork of the eastern stand. The turf will be familiar too. The eye is saturated with thrilling green as soon as the fan enters the stands. It also stretches right to the advertising boards, like baize on a billiard table. But San Francisco-based architect Stephen Sefton of Ellerbe Becket, Inc. (an AECOM company) points out the little details that will bring the stadium alive for spectators. The brief was to turn a stadium, dating mostly from the 1930s, into a state of the art MLS stadium. “The design grew out of a desire to provide a solution that was regional and also really expressed Portland,” said Sefton recently. They looked at the materiality of the old stadium and extended it into the modern construction http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news...gn-gives-timbers-amazing-home-field-advantage
3:00 Minutes JELD-WEN Field built in just over 180 seconds VIDEO: http://www.portlandtimbers.com/videos?catid=1957&id=13636
Looks amazing. Very impressed to see a baseball field go into a soccer field in that short a period of time.
The stadium was originally designed for football. All they had to do was tear out some of the baseball add-ons and start building the new stands. Of course they didn't tear out the home plate boxes, which were added in 2001
Hey Wheels, I'm targeting 200 level TA seats, so I'm assuming I don't have to get to the field too early. If I show up around 7:00-7:15 you think I'll be able to easily land 200 level TA seats? (yes, I have TA tix).
oh yeah the fight will be for the Lower level. If you are just wanting to sit in 200 you can show up later. Now how high in the 200's I couldnt tell ya though lol.
I cant say with certainty but from the pics I have seen it looks like the benches are now on the West Side of the stadium.
Cool. I figured I'd ease my way in to the whole scene. Haha. Thanks, man. Btw, there were about 10 TA members already lined up to get in the stadium around 12:00 today. I had to make my way down there for some swag. It's going to be crazy!