Wembley Stadium: The Secret Feature That Has Never Been Used
Wembley Stadium, known for hosting some of the biggest football matches and music concerts in the world, has a secret feature that has never been used. When the designs for the new stadium were released in the early 2000s, one of the key requirements was an athletics track. To accommodate this, developers included a system that lifts the floor of the main arena, creating enough space to fit a track around the standard pitch area. However, despite the inclusion of this feature, it has never been utilized.
The inclusion of an athletics track in the design of Wembley Stadium was initially driven by the stadium’s potential role as a track and field venue for the 2012 London Olympics. However, with the development of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and London Stadium, which now serves as West Ham United’s home ground, the need for Wembley as an athletics venue diminished.
The main reason why the track system has never been used is the time and cost associated with its installation. Converting the stadium into an athletics venue would take weeks and cost millions of pounds. Given the limited demand for a track and field facility at Wembley, it has not been deemed a worthwhile investment.
Richard Breslin, a former member of the Wembley Stadium project, explained the challenges involved in incorporating the athletics track. The site itself was tight, and adding a platform above the current field of play to accommodate the track and field events pushed the boundaries of the stadium’s design. The geometry of the seating bowl was based on a track and field layout, making it larger than necessary for football matches.
While Wembley Stadium did not ultimately serve as London’s track and field venue for the Olympics, it did play a role in hosting football matches during the Games. The inclusion of the athletics track system in the stadium design showcases the versatility and adaptability of the venue, even if this particular feature has never been put to use.
The presence of this secret feature at Wembley Stadium raises interesting questions about the design considerations and trade-offs involved in creating a multi-purpose venue. While the track system remains unused, it serves as a testament to the forward-thinking approach taken during the stadium’s construction.
In conclusion, Wembley Stadium’s secret feature, an athletics track system, has never been used. Despite its inclusion in the stadium design, the cost and time required for conversion, coupled with the availability of other venues, have rendered it unnecessary. However, the presence of this feature highlights the versatility of Wembley Stadium and the careful planning that went into its construction.