A View of the New Stadium
Earlier this week I was fortunate enough to attend the 8th annual San Francisco 49ers Pasta Bowl. In year’s past, the event has been held at the Santa Clara Convention Center. This year the event was held at the brand new Levi’s® Stadium. In fact, this was the very first event to be held at the new stadium, which opens next month in August.
Walking into the new stadium
SAP is a partner and a sponsor of the 49ers. We work with them on software development and applications as well as sponsor their stadium. The 49er’s workout facility is actually named the SAP Performance Center and is connected directly to the stadium. As part of our agreement with the organization, SAP was the title sponsor of this year’s Pasta Bowl.
The Gold Rush cheerleaders greet attendees
The reception started in the BNY Mellon Club which is located indoors right behind the 50 yard line. Attendees were encouraged to step out on the patio right at the 50 yard line to have their photos professionally taken. Just like last year, there were a number of vintners spread around the club providing tastings of their wines. Martinelli Winery quickly became my favorite. Check out their tasty zinfandels. The Gold Rush Cheerleaders mingled with the crowds selling raffle tickets for games, nice bottles of wine and even a trip to Arizona for the Arizona vs. Niners game.
Setup for getting your picture taken on the 50 yard line
After the reception we were escorted up one level to the Champion’s Club. The Champions Club is the largest indoor club space at Levi’s® Stadium. The club runs the entire length of the field and accommodates direct views. Heading into the event, I had zero expectations on which players or staff would be placed at SAP’s two tables. Incredibly enough, at our end of the table, we were fortunate to sit with 49er’s quarterback Colin Kaepernick and 49er owner/CEO Jed York. Before the mob of attendees descended upon Colin, those at our table were fortunate to get some nice photos with him and actually converse with him. As the evening wore on, hordes of attendees descended upon Colin to get photos and autographs. It got to be too much and security eventually escorted Colin out of the Champion’s Club while the event continued on.
The author with #7, Colin Kaepernick
Sustainability & the Stadium
Levi’s® Stadium is beautiful. When it opens next month, the stadium will be the first United States professional football stadium to have achieved LEED Gold certification. Visitors and guests may view a live dashboard display featuring current energy measurements, water and air monitors and other dynamic green features as the building operates daily. Other sustainable features include:
Players getting ready for a group photo
- The stadium is located on a sustainable site with accessible public transportation and bike path to lower greenhouse gases.
- The stadium will self-consume PV-electricity generated from its three NRG Energy solar-paneled pedestrian bridges and its one solar-paneled roof deck—the NRG Solar Terrace.
- 100% of the wood used in the Citrix Owners Suites is reclaimed wood from a local airplane hangar at Moffett Field in Mountain View, CA.
- The stadium features a 27,000 square foot “Green Roof” on the top of the stadium’s suite tower.
- The stadium will use reclaimed water for both potable and non-potable uses such as the playing field irrigation water.
- The stadium’s concessionaire is focused on working with local suppliers to fulfill its farm-to-table menus, and will be composting and recycling to the greatest extent possible.
Attendee Scott Bolick with CEO/Owner Jed York
If you aren’t planning on attending a game or an event at the stadium, you might consider scheduling a tour of the facility. The entry fee is considerably cheaper ($25/adult)!
SAP VP Kimbery Meek sporting her 1980s Niner's jacket
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