April 29, 2012

Past Venue: Providence Cycledrome


Providence, RI



Year opened: 1925
Capacity: 10,000

Names:
Providence Cycledrome, 1925-37

Pro football tenants:
Providence Steam Roller (NFL), 1925-31

Postseason games hosted:
None

Other tenants of note:
None

Notes: Constructed near the boundary between Providence and Pawtucket as a bicycle-racing venue (velodrome). The field was surrounded by a steeply-banked wooden track that cut into the end zones, reducing one to five yards in depth. Seating was permitted on the straightaway portions of the track, parallel to the field, and fans were so close to the action that plays going out of bounds could have players landing among the spectators. Lights were installed in 1930. Locker rooms, as such, provided very limited space and were only used by the home team – visitors had to dress for the game at their hotel. Largest crowd was 13,000 for Steam Roller vs. New York Giants.

Fate: Demolished in 1937 and replaced by a drive-in movie theater, which has since given way to a shopping plaza.

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