OT: Elbel parking lot being torn up

Submitted by Hard Gay on

The parking lot/asphalt football field next to Elbel is being torn up right now.  Roller Hockey enthusiasts and streetballers weep.

Rumor has it that it is to be replaced by Field turf to be used by the MMB.  Another rumor has it that pretty soon all of elbel will be turfed and no longer to be open to the public.

Mr Mackey

June 20th, 2011 at 2:55 PM ^

If it helps the MMB, that's good. If it doesn't really matter for their practicing, then I don't really understand why it's being torn up.

Also, I'm negging you with no explanation because you neg all the There are.. posts with no explanation. Except, now that I have explained it, my reasoning is flawed.

Wolverine318

June 20th, 2011 at 5:56 PM ^

besides having kick ass solos, crab stepping was the reason i was jealous of the battery in my band

Although I was a trumpet player and we were the best section in the band. Our egos proved it. 

CRex

June 20th, 2011 at 2:59 PM ^

Well there is always that rink up next to Palmer where you can fight it out with the basketball players for elbow room and the tennis balls routinely land on the rink.  Although watching one hockey player get drilled by an out of control serve was pretty funny.  Keep your head on a swivel.  

 

SCS100

June 20th, 2011 at 3:00 PM ^

Your rumors are correct. Turf will replace the asphalt so the MMB has a better practice field. Turf will also eventually replace most of Elbel and potentially be a home for lacrosse.

goblue7612

June 20th, 2011 at 3:19 PM ^

I had originally also heard the same thing about Elbel being turfed and used for lax, there were even plans for this to be done, and a youtube video of how it would look. However, this was all said prior to the team gaining varsity status, and what I heard in that transition (from Tim I believe) was that the lacrosse at Elbel plans were scratched due to the varsity status. Correct me if I'm wrong.

BlueDragon

June 20th, 2011 at 3:00 PM ^

for the same reason as Waggles.  That said, marching formations are a lot easier on the ankles on field turf rather than asphalt or grass, so it sounds like a good idea to me.

goblue7612

June 20th, 2011 at 3:17 PM ^

What I've heard is that if Elbel becomes turfed, it would no longer be open to the public. It may still be open to Michigan students, through a gate requiring a MCard swipe. That would make it an acceptable plan; however, it may cut down on the tanning out there.

white_pony_rocks

June 20th, 2011 at 8:45 PM ^

then they could practice in the grass, or not be pussies, how many people do you see running countless miles through AA on sidewalks and paved paths. Ive driven by while they were practicing, a good few of them could deal with losing some weight and getting into shape, that would probably help with the "injuries"

krag19

June 20th, 2011 at 9:07 PM ^

there is a little difference between running and lock-step... go out and try and last a day in the MMB's shoes in August or at all during the season and then we can see who will be talking afterwards. A majority of the MMB were athletes as well as musicians in high school... Don't talk shit unless you want to back it up...

glewe

June 20th, 2011 at 11:57 PM ^

What I don't see is your average Joe running the pregame routine around the city of Ann Arbor. Running does not impact your feet, ankles, shins, knees, back, neck, etc. in the same way marching.

The surface of Elbel is the problem; people get their feet caught in a crack and dislocate their knees. But sure, they're all "pussies." Now get out there and do a full run of pregame, you bamf.

jcgary

June 20th, 2011 at 3:05 PM ^

I had heard back in '03 when I was still at Michigan that the band wanted this done because the band members were getting bad shin splints practicing on the asphalt.  

I wouldn't be surprised if they fieldturfed all of Elbel like you said and it becomes the home to the lacrosse varsity teams.  (Not sure if Michigan has announced where the teams were going to play permanently).  

goblueram

June 20th, 2011 at 3:15 PM ^

Completely ruined our roller hockey playing.  Palmer does have those nets, but the surface is nowhere near as nice as the Elbel blacktop.  Palmer tears up the wheels.  We were notified of this about a month ago, but I was really hoping it would just be talk and wouldn't really happen.  

glewe

June 20th, 2011 at 7:33 PM ^

The black top, which is horribly uneven, wears on the knees and the legs and the body in both the short and long-terms. Last season, an MMB student dislocated her knee by just walking on the black top. Literally, walking. The member was out for the rest of the season and then was unable to pursue Drum Major as they had been training to do for 3 years.

Sorry about your roller hockey thing, though.

M-Wolverine

June 20th, 2011 at 8:58 PM ^

Makes some sense. But I still don't get how it's rougher on the knees et al than the guys I knew who would play basketball on cement all night, or tennis, or whatever.
<br>
<br>And if you're hurting you knee just WALKING...I'm guessing the surface isn't you're biggest health problem.
<br>
<br>Like I said, the band deserves it, and can have it for all I care. But I'm not sure the surface is all to blame.

drusteeby

June 20th, 2011 at 11:51 PM ^

They stepped in a crack that was filled in with tar, and on the way of falling down twisted their knee up pretty bad.

 

As for the difference in surface, when you're doing a high step you come back down hard on your feet, basically slamming your foot into the ground. The force from that travels up your legs and can be damaging to some body parts. On a turf surface the impact of your foot slamming down is greatly reduced lessining the chance for injury.

M-Wolverine

June 21st, 2011 at 4:55 PM ^

I'm all for not making people do activities on a cracked surface that isn't safe.  (And I really don't have any problem with turfing it. Will probably look a lot nicer).  And I can see how someone could hurt themselves on an UNEVEN surface just walking.

As for the force, I doubt it's much more than running up and down a basketball court, or even more, jumping up high for a shot or rebound, or even making a sudden stop on a tennis court. They all can cause injury. Though there is something to be said for quantity too. 

Like I've said, I'm not objecting, and it sounds like it will go to good use. I'm just saying there are other outdoor activities that have wear and tear too.

glewe

June 21st, 2011 at 6:36 PM ^

It is more. The reason it's more is because you're bringing your knees up as far as you can, and then slamming - toe first - your leg and foot back into the ground. I mean, it's actually slamming, as opposed to shuffling, running, and jumping, where you get to catch yourself on your ball or heel or anywhere else. It's much more stressful because it's toe first.

Hard Gay

June 20th, 2011 at 3:18 PM ^

And I suppose this explains why they never replaced the two broken basketball hoops.

Seriously it would be a shame if Elbel is no longer public, as that was one of the selling points of houses in this area.  

TheHoke.TheHok…

June 20th, 2011 at 3:36 PM ^

Does anybody know anything about the whole surrounding area of Elbel?

I used to live there and wondered about that big abandoned-looking factory building next to the train tracks.  There's also Fingerle lumber yard which I thought went bankrupt and was sold  for private development a couple years ago, but last time I was in AA it was still operational.

CRex

June 20th, 2011 at 3:49 PM ^

No trains until they repair the washed out rails up by Plymouth and Barton.  Or did they already get those going again?

I actually miss that train, lived next to the tracks for two years.

MGOTUBA

June 20th, 2011 at 3:36 PM ^

Professor Boerma informed us this spring that it was going to be turf. It will save a lot of ankles, lockstep was murder when it was wet. On the other hand, I graduated a month ago and I already have a "back in my day" story. I guess I really am an alumnus.