The “crow’s nest” seating has been removed from Cameron Indoor Stadium, with Duke University officials citing safety concerns as a factor in that decision.
Often used by broadcasters and other members of the media, the three-section crow’s nest was tucked into the rafters roughly eight feet above the seating at center court. It was only accessible via portable metal steps, which were traditionally placed inside the structure during games.
Going forward, the crow’s nest will no longer be a part of Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke has already removed the structure in advance of the upcoming season, putting a temporary platform in place until a new permanent structure can be completed.
A Duke official said that a review of Cameron Indoor Stadium is what led to the decision. More from The Herald-Sun:
Mike Cragg, Duke’s deputy athletic director in charge of facilities said Duke’s decision to remove the crow’s nest, which the university says has been around since at least the 1970s, came from a “self-study” of its game-day procedures. He said the school received guidance from federal safety officials as well as the city of Durham.
Cragg said a review of Cameron as part of the athletic facilities upgrades going on at Duke led the school to make changes this summer.
“It was not an ideal setting by any stretch,” Cragg said of the crow’s nest. “We are doing so much stuff it was a good time to address it.”
For now, the temporary replacement for the crow’s nest is expected to only be in place for the 2017-18 basketball season. Officials are planning to install new a structure–complete with permanent steps–in time for the 2018-19 slate.
