2005: Qwest Field

It is a cool fall Sunday and, as the sun shines on the Olympics, the Sound beckons visitors closer to the center of excitement for football fans. Crowds flock to see those home team touchdowns, the favorable fumbles and the quarterback sacks. It is game day at Qwest Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks, and with over 60,000 fans, the stadium roars to life.

The Kingdome had stood for 24 years as the professional sports center of Seattle. In 2000, it was imploded to make way for a new open air and state of the art stadium to be built on the same location. The spirit of the fans who had passed under the old dome remained, however, as thirty five percent of the recycled Kingdome was encased in the new structure. To kick off the grand opening in 2002, the Seattle Sounders Select women's soccer team took to the Field and defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps, sparking the first of many major soccer events hosted in the stadium.

In a sea of blue, the seats wrap around the green FieldTurf™, opening to the sky above and the cityscape to the North. The Hawk Nest spawns a thirteen-story tower to present the score and highlight the event. Seventy percent of the seats remain covered by the white steel roof, hanging over 260 feet above the field by its tri-chord trusses. The enchantment of the stadium experience is enhanced further by the gorgeous views of the Olympic Moun­tains and Mt. Rainier, the Seattle Skyline and the Puget Sound. Its red brick and tan concrete exterior stands as a stunning compliment to its Safeco neighbor and the historic Pioneer Square. At night, Qwest Field shines in brilliant color to blend in perfectly with the awe-inspiring view of the Emerald City. Visitors can enjoy exploring the dazzling halls inside the stadium as well; public art celebrates talent both local and from beyond the Northwest. From luxurious suites and fine dining, to discounted seats and game time con­cessions, the Field provides a unique experience for all.

With its new name established in June of 2004, Qwest Field is now nestled as part of the spirit of Seattle and shines this year as the perfect addition to your ornament collection.

-Chris Harris, Writer (2005)