Friday, June 24, 2011

Potential Bleacher Collapse Seems Like Something Worth Worrying About

Posted By on Fri, Jun 24, 2011 at 10:00 AM

Yeah, this seems bad. I've sat on those bleachers, City of Tucson. I would have appreciated knowing that they're held together with zipties and duct tape:

The bleachers at the Tucson Convention Center have been used for 27 years.

When the TCC needs more seats for a show or an event, the bleachers are set up to accommodate nearly 3,000 people.

They put close to the stage and near the floor. They may also put people in harm's way.

"It's safe today," says TCC Director Tommy Olbermeir.

But whether they're safe tomorrow, is another question.

"I'd say we're quickly approaching that point," he says.

Many of the railings around the bleacher sections are held together by duct tape.

Hand railings are secured by nylon, plastic ties. Many of them wobble as visitors hold on while slowly making their way down the stairs.

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