Memorial Stadium Renovation

Chieftain13 · Jan 31, 2017

I saw some pictures of the new Clemson football complex opening this year and wanted to share the article below. This is definitely the new gold standard in facilities. I'm no architect and I know that we will have more space restrictions in planned SEZ location for our facilities as well as other stadium upgrades being made, but I would hope that we are striving to incorporate some of these types of premium recruiting amenities. This project had a mentioned budget of $55M and we are working with a $132M budget for ours.

http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/acc/clemson-university/article129368289.html

oldbutinterested · Jan 31, 2017

Chieftain13 said:
I saw some pictures of the new Clemson football complex opening this year and wanted to share the article below. This is definitely the new gold standard in facilities. I'm no architect and I know that we will have more space restrictions in planned SEZ location for our facilities as well as other stadium upgrades being made, but I would hope that we are striving to incorporate some of these types of premium recruiting amenities. This project had a mentioned budget of $55M and we are working with a $132M budget for ours.

http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/acc/clemson-university/article129368289.html

This looks like a very nice facility with some flash but i think this is the gold standard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xSlBX32jx0
if we can get 50% of this facility for our $$$ we are doing well i think.

Second and Chalmers · Jan 31, 2017

oldbutinterested said:
This looks like a very nice facility with some flash but i think this is the gold standard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xSlBX32jx0
if we can get 50% of this facility for our $$$ we are doing well i think.

Clemson has pushed the ball forward from what Oregon did.

We're only getting to what's going to be industry standard in 5 or so years. The arms race is never ending.

South Farms · Jan 31, 2017

Chieftain13 said:
I saw some pictures of the new Clemson football complex opening this year and wanted to share the article below. This is definitely the new gold standard in facilities. I'm no architect and I know that we will have more space restrictions in planned SEZ location for our facilities as well as other stadium upgrades being made, but I would hope that we are striving to incorporate some of these types of premium recruiting amenities. This project had a mentioned budget of $55M and we are working with a $132M budget for ours.

http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/acc/clemson-university/article129368289.html

you gotta love the project managers name: Jim Bob Turnipseed
only in the deep south

HDawgg2005 · Feb 8, 2017

Any one know anything about how this is going to affect 2017 season tickets?

FT35 · Feb 8, 2017

HDawgg2005 said:
Any one know anything about how this is going to affect 2017 season tickets?

Unless something has changed it should have no effect on 2017 season tickets.

I'm wondering what happens in 2018 though? I have season tickets in the SEZ and that will be leveled and not ready until 2019, correct?

HDawgg2005 · Feb 9, 2017

Here is an article from the Champaign News Gazette on the renovations

http://www.news-gazette.com/sports/...02-09/tate-renovation-plans-taking-shape.html

FiveStar · Feb 9, 2017

Chieftain13 said:
I saw some pictures of the new Clemson football complex opening this year and wanted to share the article below. This is definitely the new gold standard in facilities. I'm no architect and I know that we will have more space restrictions in planned SEZ location for our facilities as well as other stadium upgrades being made, but I would hope that we are striving to incorporate some of these types of premium recruiting amenities. This project had a mentioned budget of $55M and we are working with a $132M budget for ours.

http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/acc/clemson-university/article129368289.html

man, i love me some illinois, but no matter who i loved it would be hard to say no to clemson if i saw that.

Fighter of the Nightman · Feb 9, 2017

FT35 said:
Unless something has changed it should have no effect on 2017 season tickets.

I'm wondering what happens in 2018 though? I have season tickets in the SEZ and that will be leveled and not ready until 2019, correct?

I think so ... I hope they put a cool (and tall) looking wall in front of the construction that is at least somewhat imposing during games, haha.

FT35 · Feb 9, 2017

Fighter of the Nightman said:
I think so ... I hope they put a cool (and tall) looking wall in front of the construction that is at least somewhat imposing during games, haha.

The scoreboard in the SEZ is going to be another issue. Can they keep it up during construction?

DeadPanic · Feb 9, 2017

Fighter of the Nightman said:
I think so ... I hope they put a cool (and tall) looking wall in front of the construction that is at least somewhat imposing during games, haha.

And make Iowa pay for it.

jmwillini · Feb 10, 2017

DeadPanic said:
And make Iowa pay for it.

Well played sir:thumb:

BananaShampoo · Feb 10, 2017

DeadPanic said:
And make Iowa pay for it.

Yes, by instituting a 20% ticket price tax on their fans.

Fighter of the Nightman · Feb 10, 2017

DeadPanic said:
And make Iowa pay for it.

You, sir, have won today. :thumb:

chief9 · Feb 19, 2017

abc123 said:
SEZ project makes no sense. Let's add capacity to a stadium that is years away from selling out regularly and put the football facilities as far away from the existing indoor practice field as possible making it even more cumbersome to transition from meetings and weight training to on field work and then back than the current setup. I won't be surprised if what is really built is nothing like the drawings and not in the SEZ.

Um, your talking about a distance change of what, 300-400 yards tops? And I don't believe it adds that much more capacity. You need better facilities too compete anyway.

MGR95 · Feb 19, 2017

abc123 said:
SEZ project makes no sense. Let's add capacity to a stadium that is years away from selling out regularly and put the football facilities as far away from the existing indoor practice field as possible making it even more cumbersome to transition from meetings and weight training to on field work and then back than the current setup. I won't be surprised if what is really built is nothing like the drawings and not in the SEZ.

The project is actually anticipated to slightly decrease capacity, if not keep it the same as it is now. As far as your concern with the indoor, the distance to it really isn't an issue. They would pretty much just have to walk the length of the field to get to it and is really only used in case of bad weather conditions. I think $100+ million facilities is worth a 2 minute walk.

abc123 · Feb 19, 2017

I happen to think the distance is an issue when you only have the players in the off season for a limited amount of contact hours. (By NCAA rules). When running a business it's all about efficiency.

But there may be other factors in play. I'm looking at it purely from an efficiency and ease of construction standpoin..and a site that minimizes constraints in getting EXACTLY what Lovie wants.

MGR95 · Feb 19, 2017

Have you considered the fact that the indoor facility itself is out of date and will probably need to be re-done in the next ~5-10 years?

The south end zone project is also about more than just a weight room. Staff offices, locker room, training and rehab facilities, etc. are all a part of the plan and it also serves the purpose of closing off the south end zone and giving the stadium a more modern feel.

While it would be nice to have the indoor right next the facility, you really aren't going to lose a whole lot of efficiency walking the length of the field to get to the indoor. From the SEZ locker room/weight room, they can walk right out onto the field. You're acting like the indoor is all the way by PAR/FAR.

chief9 · Feb 19, 2017

abc123 said:
I happen to think the distance is an issue when you only have the players in the off season for a limited amount of contact hours. (By NCAA rules). When running a business it's all about efficiency.

But there may be other factors in play. I'm looking at it purely from an efficiency and ease of construction standpoin..and a site that minimizes constraints in getting EXACTLY what Lovie wants.

You bring up efficiency, and yet forget that a big part of the new construction is making better use of amount of space between the South End Zone and the stands. That is being more efficient with the space they have and taking advantage of it. That will also bring the crowd so much closer to the action.

Also like MGR states there is so much more to this than the weight room. Once this is complete, they can then focus on a new indoor facility, which would also be better than just adding on to it.

abc123 · Feb 19, 2017

That the indoor facility is "old" is irrelevant to this discussion IMHO. The "facility" is not really a facility. It is nothing more than a indoor field. New turf and a new roof and it's as good as new. Besides, there really arent many options for moving it. Sure could move it to the other end (where grass field are now ) but what's the point of that? I am assuming that all the offices, rehab, player lounge, Barber shop etc will be in the new facility wherever it is...why not truely make it all colocated? Why build in a walk? Why constrain your S&C staff. Why take away minutes that you could be using for practice, meetings etc.? A more modern feel to the stadium does nothing to win games...if winning games, assess will fill all the seats. If that happens, I'm confident that more $$ will appear in a few years for a stadium upgrade. Right now IMHO is all about getting W's.

Anyway I'm not emotionally invested. Just saying that I won't be surprised if the plan changes...in fact I'll be surprised if it stays as is.

MGR95 · Feb 19, 2017

abc123 said:
That the indoor facility is "old" is irrelevant to this discussion IMHO. The "facility" is not really a facility. It is nothing more than a indoor field. New turf and a new roof and it's as good as new. Besides, there really arent many options for moving it. Sure could move it to the other end (where grass field are now ) but what's the point of that? I am assuming that all the offices, rehab, player lounge, Barber shop etc will be in the new facility wherever it is...why not truely make it all colocated? Why build in a walk? Why constrain your S&C staff. Why take away minutes that you could be using for practice, meetings etc.? A more modern feel to the stadium does nothing to win games...if winning games, assess will fill all the seats. If that happens, I'm confident that more $$ will appear in a few years for a stadium upgrade. Right now IMHO is all about getting W's.

Anyway I'm not emotionally invested. Just saying that I won't be surprised if the plan changes...in fact I'll be surprised if it stays as is.

The indoor facility is only 70 yards; incapable of hosting an "efficient" practice. Don't see how the SEZ project is limiting the S&C staff.

Upgrading the stadium is something that recruits love to see and will make playing at Illinois more appealing. Better players ---> more wins. So, updating the stadium and giving it more of a "wow" factor does win games, indirectly and over time.

abc123 · Feb 19, 2017

Chief- climb out of the box for a second. The problem statement is where to build a facility and what to put in it to most rapidly return the Illinois football program to respectability, NOT how to maximize the use of space in the SEZ Bringing the crowd closer to the action is a nice to have right now and does nothing to get us W's. IMHO the focus needs to be on the team not the fans.

IIRC the SEZ plans Include weight room etc so once it's done it's done for at least a decade or more. Improving the fan experience can happen anytime after we start getting fans filling the seats. Which I think can happen with Louie and Co. at the helm.

Good discussion.

MGR95 · Feb 19, 2017

2 birds with 1 stone. They are doing a massive upgrade to the facilities for the team, players and coaches, while incorporating a few needed stadium/fan experience items.

But you're right...a 2 min. walk from the SEZ to the indoor on the occasional rainy day is going to restrict us from getting better.

abc123 · Feb 19, 2017

MGR - minor detail. OK while we're dropping $50M++ extend the indoor field and re- roof it.. its a metal box!!! indoor field is for backup use during full team practiced so if only 80yds due to site constraints it can be worked around during the rare in season or spring days when can't be outside.. (See U Miami's plans for an example). Most use of indoor field is during the off season.

Constraint? Cannot transition from lifting to conditioning easily. Can't have Offense lifting and Defense doing on field technique work and then switch efficiently...snd then transition to position meetings. Iowa's facility come to mind..

Also kids can lift and then walk right out to the field to play catch, kick, punt..whatever..

Trust me a recruit does not care about a new stadium end zone as much as the facility where he will spend most of his college career...the practice facility.

abc123 · Feb 19, 2017

Ianyway...all good. Whatever is built will be an improvement. A massive one!

Memorial Stadium Renovation

Captain 'Paign