APP Wish List - Please send to Doug Gillin

[tigersef]

Would it be possible to see a rendering where the track is removed, the field is lowered about 10-15 feet (see Navy), Owens Fieldhouse is replaced with wrap around seating that is capped by a walkway connecting the east and west sides with locker rooms and support space beneath these new stands, the south side is regraded with the dirt available from lowering the field to create a closer grass hill, and the east side ramps are replaced by 2-3 elevators located behind the east side stands?

These renovations would be the best use of the existing footprint allowing for a good amount of expansion (say 10,000 seats) while preserving the natural feel and excellent views from within the stadium. If the cash or borrowing ability isn't available for this type of expansion in the near future, just wait. There's no sense in rushing to expand the stadium in a manner that we'll regret in the future.

[hotrod2001]

Would it be possible to see a rendering where the track is removed, the field is lowered about 10-15 feet (see Navy), Owens Fieldhouse is replaced with wrap around seating that is capped by a walkway connecting the east and west sides with locker rooms and support space beneath these new stands, the south side is regraded with the dirt available from lowering the field to create a closer grass hill, and the east side ramps are replaced by 2-3 elevators located behind the east side stands?

These renovations would be the best use of the existing footprint allowing for a good amount of expansion (say 10,000 seats) while preserving the natural feel and excellent views from within the stadium. If the cash or borrowing ability isn't available for this type of expansion in the near future, just wait. There's no sense in rushing to expand the stadium in a manner that we'll regret in the future.

Not the best quality render but it gets the point across. Maybe if I have time, I can create a digital aerial version of the stadium for more accurate fantasy construction.

[Dmanuhone]

that would be perfect. just fill in that little area on the bank between the student section and the player ramp that we lost when the ramp was built.

[eggers76]

Where will we play while the field level is lowered 10-15 feet? That would take longer than an off season IMO.

[hotrod2001]

I would think with this design, it would be easier to just build up the north and south endzones with dirt rather than to lower the field. It would probably be a faster (and cheaper) project in the long run to build up rather than down.

Either that or talk to Bruton Smith about borrowing North Wilkesboro Speedway and it's 60,000 seating capacity for a season...it's not like they're using it.

[JTApps1]

Duke removed their track, lowered the field, and built additional seats in the off season so it can be done. Gillin went to Duke not long ago to check it out.

[eggers76]

I know and Duke's stadium looks great. I got a feeling our work would require lots of blasting and that takes time. I doubt that's Piedmont clay under our turf.

[mikeyosef]

Yes, please Yes! That is the best looking rendering of a possible addition and modification to the Rock I have seen. This would be absolutely AWESOME! I agree, let's not do anything short of what we expect of our team; the best! If that takes a few years, fine. Keep winning like we have been and the fans will be there and I'll wager the money will come too. My only question is, where will Boone put all those cars?

[HighPointApp]

Good question about parking. There may be a need for parking areas outside of Boone and shuttles bringing people to the stadium.

[Boone Goon]

Love the rendering!

The only options I see to remove the track are:
1) blast the rock floor and lower the field ($$$)
2) move the field West and rebuild the East side stands ($$$)

Whichever of these options is cheaper should be what is done first.

[mountaineerman]

Hot rod yes! This would look great !

[BeauFoster]

Duke removed their track, lowered the field, and built additional seats in the off season so it can be done. Gillin went to Duke not long ago to check it out.

Durham is warmer, so no problems digging into frozen ground, not to mention the reported rock that lies underneath the playing surface. I'd put a year's paycheck that says, with our budget, the project could not be completed in one offseason.
Digging down, in my opinion, is a waste of money when the same thin can be accomplished by moving the east stands 5-10 yards closer to the west.

[tigersef]

Hotrod, you are the man! This rendering is fantastic!

I would imagine a geotechnical study was completed as part of the prior expansion so there should already be a good understanding of what type of soil/rock is under the field. If the most expensive part of removing soil/rock is hauling it away, that problem is solved by piling the excess dirt/rock in the north endzone to create a grass hill closer to the field and an expanded concourse at the top of the hill.

By lowering the field, the symetry of the stadium is maintained and more desirable seating is created closer to the field. The problem with moving the east side stands closer to the west side is that the north end zone would still have to be regraded, which in and of itself would be a large expense, not to mention that the south side end zone would still be wide open and you'd have to rebuild the entire east side. I can see many more costs associated with this option.

Any sort of major renovation would likely require some home games to be moved off the mountain. Many other schools have undertaken similar projects and have appropriately dealt with the challenges. I don't see how we would be any diffrent.

[hotrod2001]

The draw back is that once the season is over, you're into December and Boone weather can be fickle well into April...giving you only a few solid months to do what you need to do. Maybe if you made digging up the field the top priority, and get that taken care of first and foremost and then we just deal with a construction site for a season like what Wake Forest did a few years back it could work. (Went to the WF/Nebraska game and it was horrible) If anyone who went to App from 1999-2005, construction in Boone is the norm.

I'm not sure about an off-site games. The only facilities in the area capable of doing that would be BB&T Field, Bowman-Gray Stadium and maybe Bank of America Stadium. That or we play a season with a lot of away games...that would stink.

[NewApp]

I still want some kind of something under the seating area on "State" side so I do not have to dodge dripping water/liquids. The cost would be under $2,000 I would think.

There would have to be a system of drainage it would seem.

[NewApp]

Let's prove we can fill up the stadium we have first without half way giving away tickets , before we talk about expansion. Too, no one as of yet has presented a new location for the track as well as the new maintenance and lighting expenses for a new facility.

[Dmanuhone]

I estimate we would gain about 1600 seats if we could extend the sideline seating 6 rows on each side. We might not be able to extend that many rows, maybe 5 rows. Probably be a lot of money to gain so few seats.

[dubs21]

On the west side we need to reduce the length of each row of bleachers by one seat to make the stairways wider. They are a nightmare and barely one row of people can get up and down.

[ASUMountaineer]

How about including AppStateTV for Yosef Club donors? Could be one more incentive, that won't cost a whole lot, to drum up donors.

[AppinVA]

How about including AppStateTV for Yosef Club donors? Could be one more incentive, that won't cost a whole lot, to drum up donors.

You probably couldn't do that and keep a contribution tax-deductible.