Stadium renovation to start soon?

[Maddog1956]

This may have already been posted here but for those that haven't seen it, here are the other stadiums in the SunBelt.

http://sunsegment.wordpress.com/2013/05/22/stadiums/

[t4pizza]

Thanks for that link. It seems we already have a comparable stadium to our new peer institutions. Of course, it sure would be nice to get rid of that track and add more seats.

[Maddog1956]

Thanks for that link. It seems we already have a comparable stadium to our new peer institutions. Of course, it sure would be nice to get rid of that track and add more seats.

I think we are comparable if not the best, but if we can sell more seat, boxes, etc I'm not against renovations either. But I don't think we have to do anything to be comparable.

[AppinVA]

Thanks for that link. It seems we already have a comparable stadium to our new peer institutions. Of course, it sure would be nice to get rid of that track and add more seats.

I think we are comparable if not the best, but if we can sell more seat, boxes, etc I'm not against renovations either. But I don't think we have to do anything to be comparable.

We didn't get to this point by striving to be comparable, and we really can't afford to switch to that mindset now.

[GlassOnion]

1.) Moving and blasting nearly 1/4 million cubic yards, re-assembling the playing surface, pouring 10ft x 80 yards of stands x2 and still appear to have a patchwork stadium with awkward future expansion plans.

or

2.) Demolish and repour stands, allowing for proper expansion plans, and re-setting the lifespan, safety, aesthetics of stands.

Im for #2. I think the concrete stands should be demolished, and repoured at slightly altered angle. The stands are in disrepair, not the field. If your going to spend millions, I think it would be better spent on the stands, not the playing surface. I dont think the cost would be dramatically different. Disassemble the stands, crush the concrete, and us it as a base for structures.

[bcoach]

1.) Moving and blasting nearly 1/4 million cubic yards, re-assembling the playing surface, pouring 10ft x 80 yards of stands x2 and still appear to have a patchwork stadium with awkward future expansion plans.

or

2.) Demolish and repour stands, allowing for proper expansion plans, and re-setting the lifespan, safety, aesthetics of stands.

Im for #2. I think the concrete stands should be demolished, and repoured at slightly altered angle. The stands are in disrepair, not the field. If your going to spend millions, I think it would be better spent on the stands, not the playing surface. I dont think the cost would be dramatically different. Disassemble the stands, crush the concrete, and us it as a base for structures.

I do agree with your #2 version but why do people seem so upset about the track?

[GlassOnion]

I do agree with your #2 version but why do people seem so upset about the track?

I guess, mainly because it looks bad, then, because having the stands 10 yards away from the sideline hampers the effectiveness of the 12th man. Last thing I want to do though is put a $10 million band aid on the current structure.

[Gonzo]

why do people seem so upset about the track?

Really?

bcoach, It's remarkable that a blind man is able to post with such regularity. You're an inspiration.

[huskie3]

I do agree with your #2 version but why do people seem so upset about the track?
I'm with you on this bcoach. It seems some want the stands to start with the sidelines to move THEM closer to the field. They do not take into consideration the player's safety and ability to move around on the sidelines.

[GlassOnion]

I think the stands could move 10 yards closer to the field and still maintain a safe buffer. Judging from the lines on the field, the stands are currently about 20 yards from the field. That is a very large space.

[ASU-FTW]

I wonder how many injuries Montana football players suffer each year from having their stands so close to the field....

I think it is a very very small number.

Using player safety as a reason to keep the track may be the the ONLY argument you can make to keep it, and it's a weak one.

[bcoach]

I do agree with your #2 version but why do people seem so upset about the track?

I guess, mainly because it looks bad, then, because having the stands 10 yards away from the sideline hampers the effectiveness of the 12th man. Last thing I want to do though is put a $10 million band aid on the current structure.

Well it isn't great and It would be nice if it were not there but I just don't know that it is that big a deal. I think 10 million could be spent in better ways. Again I like your plan 2 if were are going to do anything, I just wonder how many on here would still object to that track if it were their own money they were spending. I agree the band aid would be just plain stupid.

[bcoach]

why do people seem so upset about the track?

Really?

bcoach, It's remarkable that a blind man is able to post with such regularity. You're an inspiration.

I don't consider my eyesight problems to be funny.

[ASU-FTW]

I just wonder how many on here would still object to that track if it were their own money they were spending. I agree the band aid would be just plain stupid.

It is our own money in a sense because just about everyone who has an interest in the enhancement has gone to App for higher education and has supported athletics through attendance, donations, purchase of merchandise, etc. We just want it done right.

[Gonzo]

why do people seem so upset about the track?

Really?

bcoach, It's remarkable that a blind man is able to post with such regularity. You're an inspiration.

I don't consider my eyesight problems to be funny.

I hope you're joking. If not, I'm sorry to hear that and that's the last time I try to be funny/friendly with you. Geez. Tough crowd.

[asumike83]

Even if the stands are moved no closer to the field, it would look significantly better with foliage in between the bench and stands than a track.

Plus, as silly as it may sound, the perception matters. Multi-purpose facilities are the norm for high school stadiums and small colleges. FCS is a cost-containment model and it is not uncommon there either but how many FBS stadiums have tracks around them, maybe 4 or 5? With Boise removing theirs, I can't think of any besides Duke and Nevada off hand.

It also looks bad when televised. All you can see other than the field of play is a track. KBS is a beautiful venue in person but it does not translate well to TV and I've heard that opinion shared by many others, App fans and not. I don't know how much it matters in terms of getting games televised but as we try get more games shown on TV, I'd like the facility to look as nice as possible when the most eyeballs are on it.

Going forward, we will not be able to judge our stadium against Wofford, Samford, etc. and enjoy how nice it is. We will be judged against FBS programs and IMO, the football program needs a dedicated facility.

[bcoach]

why do people seem so upset about the track?

Really?

bcoach, It's remarkable that a blind man is able to post with such regularity. You're an inspiration.

I don't consider my eyesight problems to be funny.

I hope you're joking. If not, I'm sorry to hear that and that's the last time I try to be funny/friendly with you. Geez. Tough crowd.

Gotcha.

[Gonzo]

why do people seem so upset about the track?

Really?

bcoach, It's remarkable that a blind man is able to post with such regularity. You're an inspiration.

I don't consider my eyesight problems to be funny.

I hope you're joking. If not, I'm sorry to hear that and that's the last time I try to be funny/friendly with you. Geez. Tough crowd.

Gotcha.

Good. I was beginning to wonder about you.

[Maddog1956]

Thanks for that link. It seems we already have a comparable stadium to our new peer institutions. Of course, it sure would be nice to get rid of that track and add more seats.

I think we are comparable if not the best, but if we can sell more seat, boxes, etc I'm not against renovations either. But I don't think we have to do anything to be comparable.

We didn't get to this point by striving to be comparable, and we really can't afford to switch to that mindset now.

If we build it and can't sell it, can't afford it just to be "the best" it sounds like "little man" mindset to me.

[bcoach]

I just wonder how many on here would still object to that track if it were their own money they were spending. I agree the band aid would be just plain stupid.

It is our own money in a sense because just about everyone who has an interest in the enhancement has gone to App for higher education and has supported athletics through attendance, donations, purchase of merchandise, etc. We just want it done right.

I understand what you are saying and there is a lot of truth in it, but what you have outlined has not yet paid for what we have. That means somebody pulling out checkbooks. My point is that we need to pay for what we have before taking on more debt. It is very easy to say "I want" and a little more difficult to say "I'll pay for". I really think we need to get through a season or two and find our real expenses before deciding our next step. If that finds us in a position where we can afford to tank the track then let's do it. In the mean time our stadium is WAY FAR from a high school stadium.