When will stadium expansion start again?

[Kgfish]

I do not like the design in that picture.

If we are adding we need to do it right, it's starting to look like an erector set stadium.

Cobb and the athletic department screwed this up from the get go. Instead of taking our time and doing it right we rushed into it and now have a facility that is piece milled together. The west stands don't match the east stands, that don't match the end zone seating. The main part of Owens Field House doesn't match the expansion and nothing matches the athletics center. The initial plan was to build the athletic center, then the east stands and lastly the press box, suites & club seating. Unfortunately the desire to build suites and club seats to generate income became the priority.

We should have moved the track. Built new east stands and seating in both end zone. Built new locker, equipment, weight, training rooms and athletic offices under and behind the south (bank) end zone seating. Offices and club seating looking out over the seating. Then knocked down the entire west stands and started from scratch with new seating, press box, club seats and suites. It would have been less expensive than retro fitting the old stadium and a much, much, much better facility. Doing it this way would have cost us a year or 18 months, but that would have long been past. With the setting of KBS ASU would have had one of the best looking stadiums in the nation, at any level.

[RankinApp]

Plenty of FBS schools still have tracks around their stadium.

No, they don't. If anything, the move has been for FBS facilities to remove tracks entirely. Mackay Stadium in Reno (and Wallace Wade) might be the last FBS stadiums with a track around the field at the moment with the renovations taking place at Husky Stadium in Seattle.

Really, the track has to go.

[RankinApp]

With the setting of KBS ASU would have had one of the best looking stadiums in the nation, at any level.

I'll still contend that KBS is one fine looking stadium. The location does play a part, but the landscaping also contributes.

But I agree that the expansion should have been done differently, and said it back when the whole process was underway in 2007-08.

It's going to be much more difficult to expand, and get that cohesive look now, IMO.

[Appftw]

I really don't think the track is going anywhere. Sure, they'll build another track somewhere else, but there are a few things that lead me to believe that we are planning to simply build on top of the existing one. For one, the architectural render showed us doing just that and if they wanted to take it out of the picture they would have. Also, the rumors of an underground stream/bedrock/ancient indian burial ground beneath the field seem to corroborate this.

funny stuff

They will be moving it though. It says so in the strategic plan.
https://admin.xosn.com/pdf8/1328986.pdf ... 0206170020

From pages 18 and 19

II. Goal: Expand Kidd Brewer Stadium’s capacity and enhance the overall fan experience.
• Add premium seating and general seating as required by ticket sales and attendance
• Expand digital and video opportunities
• Identify a space for game day promotional events
- Responsibility: Associate Athletics Director for Facilities,
Director of Game Operations, IMG Staff
- Key Components: Funding, space, university support
- Time Frame: Fall 2012 – Ongoing

....

V. Goal: Find a home for the track and field and field hockey programs.
• Design, construct, acquire space and fund permanent facilities
- Responsibility: Associate Athletics Director for Facilities, Coaches, Director of Athletics
- Key Components: Determination of Kidd Brewer expansion, determination of location on University-owned land
- Time Frame: Fall 2012 – Ongoing as funds allow

I don't see anything in there about demolishing the current track. Not to be a debbie downer, I just don't want you to get your hopes up. Plenty of FBS schools still have tracks around their stadium.

I've bolded it in the previous quote.

That's not even referring to the actual track. It's referring to the track and field program, i.e. building them a new facility.

[JTApps1]

I'd like to see double deck seating in both end zones that tie into the East Side, and then leave the West Side as is. That would give it somewhat of a thought out look and make it recognizable as well. This would put us around 40K which would be a good number for us for a long time. I just hope we find some way to change the ramps once we expand. They really take away from the look of KBS IMO.

[Gonzo]

I really don't think the track is going anywhere. Sure, they'll build another track somewhere else, but there are a few things that lead me to believe that we are planning to simply build on top of the existing one. For one, the architectural render showed us doing just that and if they wanted to take it out of the picture they would have. Also, the rumors of an underground stream/bedrock/ancient indian burial ground beneath the field seem to corroborate this.

funny stuff

They will be moving it though. It says so in the strategic plan.
https://admin.xosn.com/pdf8/1328986.pdf ... 0206170020

From pages 18 and 19

II. Goal: Expand Kidd Brewer Stadium’s capacity and enhance the overall fan experience.
• Add premium seating and general seating as required by ticket sales and attendance
• Expand digital and video opportunities
• Identify a space for game day promotional events
- Responsibility: Associate Athletics Director for Facilities,
Director of Game Operations, IMG Staff
- Key Components: Funding, space, university support
- Time Frame: Fall 2012 – Ongoing

....

V. Goal: Find a home for the track and field and field hockey programs.
• Design, construct, acquire space and fund permanent facilities
- Responsibility: Associate Athletics Director for Facilities, Coaches, Director of Athletics
- Key Components: Determination of Kidd Brewer expansion, determination of location on University-owned land
- Time Frame: Fall 2012 – Ongoing as funds allow

I don't see anything in there about demolishing the current track. Not to be a debbie downer, I just don't want you to get your hopes up. Plenty of FBS schools still have tracks around their stadium.

I've bolded it in the previous quote.

That's not even referring to the actual track. It's referring to the track and field program, i.e. building them a new facility.

So you're saying they're going to build a new track for the T&F team somewhere, but leave the old track at KBS? Why would they do that? It wouldn't be hard or expensive to remove the track. The trouble is finding an new place for the T&F facility and constructing it in the first place.

I'd bet the actual removal of the track would cost less than $2k. Maybe add another k to add more turf and maybe some shrubs to fill the space. Chump change.

No way would they leave the track like it is at KBS if they build a new facility. I do agree that lowering the field is highly unlikely.

[ASU-FTW]

I don't mind a 'piecemealed' look, really - it gives a stadium more character and a unique appeal. However, I despise the track. Once the track is removed I'd like them to demolish the East side entirely (seriously, the concrete appears to be falling apart anyway). Then build new concrete East side stands closer to the field - no need for an upper deck either (see Wake's stadium). Horseshoe the stadium in once we are ready to regrade the West side stands. This would give KBS a more uniform look and would not require any ridiculously expensive field lowering.

[asumike83]

That's not even referring to the actual track. It's referring to the track and field program, i.e. building them a new facility.

If they are building a new T&F facility, I'm not sure what incentive they would have to buy a new track and have it installed instead of relocating the existing one. I wouldn't think it would be any less expensive that way and it would look really bad to have an unused track permanently around KBS with structures built on top of it.

[3rd]

Can we just ask Wake for their stadium? It would be perfect in Boone

[Appftw]

I was assuming you meant lowering the field after removing the track, my mistake. Either way, the gulf of space between the field and stands will remain there and I could care less if it was turf or track because Kidd Brewer is beautiful no matter what (the felon and the stadium).

[tigersef]

The renderings from last year are terrible! Adding an eight-story dorm to the north endzone would forever ruin the gameday experience at KBS.

The example that should be followed can be found at Navy. In 2005, they lowered the field, added rows to each side of the stadium and added some permanent seating at the top of their grass hill, which increased the stadium capacity to about 34,000 all while preserving some green space on the endzone hill. A renovation along these lines should be implemented at KBS.

Navy.jpg (30.31 KiB) Viewed 5618 times

[vegattk]

Certainly hope we can fill the seats in an expanded stadium... Nothing looks (or feels) worse than an empty arena.. Just ask the basketball team or Georgia State..

[ggasu]

The renderings from last year are terrible! Adding an eight-story dorm to the north endzone would forever ruin the gameday experience at KBS.

The example that should be followed can be found at Navy. In 2005, they lowered the field, added rows to each side of the stadium and added some permanent seating at the top of their grass hill, which increased the stadium capacity to about 34,000 all while preserving some green space on the endzone hill. A renovation along these lines should be implemented at KBS.

Navy.jpg

That really is a perfect example

[Kgfish]

The renderings from last year are terrible! Adding an eight-story dorm to the north endzone would forever ruin the gameday experience at KBS.

The example that should be followed can be found at Navy. In 2005, they lowered the field, added rows to each side of the stadium and added some permanent seating at the top of their grass hill, which increased the stadium capacity to about 34,000 all while preserving some green space on the endzone hill. A renovation along these lines should be implemented at KBS.

Navy.jpg

That really is a perfect example

I like what Washington State did to their stadium.

http://www.wsucougars.com/facilities/ma ... adium.html

[AppAttack]

After removing the track we have to move the seats a lot closer to the field. Stupid to leave them way back there and have all that empty space. Closer view, more noise, everything. Otherwise we may as well just cover the track in field turf or something.

[newtoasu]

Several people have mentioned Texas State as a model for KBS expansion. I just don't like what they did, of course there may be little choice.

They did get rid of their track, but they did not move the stands along either side of the field any closer. They got rid of the track in order to fit a massive end zone seating section. Therein, in my opinion, lies the problem with what Texas State did. They doubled the capacity from 16,000 to about 30,000, but now half of their seats are horrible ones in the end zone.

Most pictures you see of the stadium are from the outside of that new end zone seating and don't give you the full perspective of what the new seats are actually like. The pictures are taken there because the outside of the new seating looks aesthetically pleasing.

Here is a picture from the side and you can see what I'm talking about regarding how many bad (end zone) seats there:

Sorry. I tried to post the image but it was way too big. Here is the link to the picture: http://smdrcatscradle.files.wordpress.c ... pdated.jpg

[RankinApp]

Several people have mentioned Texas State as a model for KBS expansion. I just don't like what they did, of course there may be little choice.

Unfortunately, it seems to be the same situation App is in when it comes to expansion. The west stands can't be built higher as there's now a giant complex with all those spiffy club seats and suites. The east stands are already double-decked and would look ridiculous with a third.

Short or tearing down, digging, and rebuilding the sides it's going to be the end zones.

While not ideal, the Texas State addition is still really nice looking. I like the landscaping and architecture used.

[Yosef84]

I do not like the design in that picture.

If we are adding we need to do it right, it's starting to look like an erector set stadium.

Cobb and the athletic department screwed this up from the get go. Instead of taking our time and doing it right we rushed into it and now have a facility that is piece milled together. The west stands don't match the east stands, that don't match the end zone seating. The main part of Owens Field House doesn't match the expansion and nothing matches the athletics center. The initial plan was to build the athletic center, then the east stands and lastly the press box, suites & club seating. Unfortunately the desire to build suites and club seats to generate income became the priority.

We should have moved the track. Built new east stands and seating in both end zone. Built new locker, equipment, weight, training rooms and athletic offices under and behind the south (bank) end zone seating. Offices and club seating looking out over the seating. Then knocked down the entire west stands and started from scratch with new seating, press box, club seats and suites. It would have been less expensive than retro fitting the old stadium and a much, much, much better facility. Doing it this way would have cost us a year or 18 months, but that would have long been past. With the setting of KBS ASU would have had one of the best looking stadiums in the nation, at any level.

In a perfect work, yeah...we should have done some things differently but doing it the way you describe was not even close to being in the budget. There is no way we could have built new East stands to match the West. The West stands wouldn't meet code for new construction. We didn't have concrete stands in the budget, and even if we did, we wouldn't have demolished the newest part of our stadium (the lower tier of the East stands) to start over....THAT project was when we missed the boat!

Let's add into that equation, the fact that we don't have the land or budget to build a new track facility (usually around $6 million based on what UNCC and Winthrop have built recently.

By the way, we don't HAVE end zone seating....what we have is temporary, so it's never going to "match". Also, matching Owens isn't important since it won't be there in the long term.

Nobody ever mentions this, but I still think that rebuilding the WEST stands is a possibility. The stands are old, an will ultimately have to be replace. Seems like that is our opportunity. When the new track is built, and we want to update the stadium, we should rebuild the West stands to utilize the extra room. I would think the decks could be aligned to integrate with the athletic complex / suites properly. Of course, I'm not an architect. We would then have matching E/W stands, and connecting the end-zone seating would be much easier.

I don't know if any of this is even possible, much less being discussed, but I think there are a lot of options that we aren't even considering on MMB. We also have to consider the constraints that we are working with. Let's be realistic folks. KBS isn't ideal, but it's a nice facility!

[Yosef84]

I'd like to see double deck seating in both end zones that tie into the East Side, and then leave the West Side as is. That would give it somewhat of a thought out look and make it recognizable as well. This would put us around 40K which would be a good number for us for a long time. I just hope we find some way to change the ramps once we expand. They really take away from the look of KBS IMO.

I would think that this is a very viable option.

[APPRIDE]

If the East side angle from the bottom of the upper deck was carried down over the existing lower East side it would bottom out about 5-10 yards onto the track on the East side. Then the field could be shifted to the West 5-10 yards . This would get rid of the gulf of space between fans and both side lines. It would not require lowering the field and give good sight lines to all the new seats on the new lower section of the East side. This would give a cohesive look to the East side and more space underneath if they poured a new slab over the old lower section.

Student seating should remain as is all along the west side and especially at the angle it is now because it promotes standing. I think it is unique in college football to have that many standing students that close to the action the entire length of the field. It gets them very involved in the game and is a special amenity that makes our game day experience more appealing to students.