Memorial Stadium
- Status
we will need 2-3 more seasons of sellouts first
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I’ll take a much needed renovation over capacity concerns. You could renovate the SEZ into something so much better and not gain in capacity at all. The current Horseshoe looks so short, small and imposing … and it seats almost 10k!! That’s the same as Iowa’s brand new end zone section which looks five times as big! All about distributing the capacity, and we have an awful distribution right now.
And here it is:
"NEW DRINK OPTION IN HORSESHOE: Fans in the Memorial Stadium horseshoe will notice a new drink option in 2025 with the addition of the Big Grove Batched Cocktail Tent. The location will offer specialty cocktails and beer in a convenient south end zone location."
I'm going to guess this is why the trees came down. I personally like it. It's now all about the Cash.
"NEW DRINK OPTION IN HORSESHOE: Fans in the Memorial Stadium horseshoe will notice a new drink option in 2025 with the addition of the Big Grove Batched Cocktail Tent. The location will offer specialty cocktails and beer in a convenient south end zone location."
I'm going to guess this is why the trees came down. I personally like it. It's now all about the Cash.
blackdog
- Champaign
Full release and info about upgrades
Illinois Announces Concessions Enhancements for Memorial Stadium Gamedays - University of Illinois Athletics
Many exciting concessions enhancements coming to Memorial Stadium this fall.
fightingillini.com
My first guess back in March:
"My guess, beer garden vs. basketball beer cave. There was some land there between the the brick wall and Kirby that was wasted space. A few conifer trees. They set up the TV trucks in that area.
Edit, that area was pretty nasty looking with chain link fencing and stuff. It's a good time to spruce up the area by knocking down a spruce or two.
Edit2, this to go along with whatever promotion they had - getting into the stadium early for discounts. Buy a beer and get a free wiener in the new party beer garden. Far better than what it is now."
Even better, a beer and COCKTAIL garden. Get people really hammered with some girlie drinks. That area was ripe for improvement and will help contribute to a more raucous environment.
"My guess, beer garden vs. basketball beer cave. There was some land there between the the brick wall and Kirby that was wasted space. A few conifer trees. They set up the TV trucks in that area.
Edit, that area was pretty nasty looking with chain link fencing and stuff. It's a good time to spruce up the area by knocking down a spruce or two.
Edit2, this to go along with whatever promotion they had - getting into the stadium early for discounts. Buy a beer and get a free wiener in the new party beer garden. Far better than what it is now."
Even better, a beer and COCKTAIL garden. Get people really hammered with some girlie drinks. That area was ripe for improvement and will help contribute to a more raucous environment.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Okay, but this is the type of thinking I feel the DIA does WAY too often, and I kind of hate it. So, I pose the following question...
... other than the powers-that-be not wanting to deal with the immaterially extra hassle of not having a boring, treeless, flat space with which to work, what exactly is the reason we can't have a cool drinking area AND trees?? I'm guessing whatever excuse anyone gives me will be the same reason "Grange GROVE" is a bland, utilitarian grid that is completely devoid of trees instead of a completely unique vibe like the ACTUAL Grove at Ole Miss, which is pictured above.
A giant green wall in left field that is comically high is "illogical." Having your outfield fence be literal brick with ivy all over it that is a total chore to maintain is "illogical." Iconic atmospheres are rarely, if ever, created by identifying the coldest and most logical solution. The atmosphere behind the Horseshoe for this new drinks area very well might be good ... can anyone say it wouldn't be even better with some trees? The last thing Champaign-Urbana needs to be doing to create any sort of cool vibe is cut down trees, haha.
EDIT: On this note, I think we should do everything possible to make the atmosphere and experience at Memorial Stadium stand out vs. other campuses. One idea I floated quite a long time ago was having a "Brewery Weekend" each year for a September home game in Grange Grove, effectively becoming an Illini-themed Oktoberfest that helps to promote local breweries and guarantees that at least one weekend will have an ELITE tailgating experience, even in years where our team might be subpar. If the DIA is worried about making Grange Grove too hostile to kids or whatever, have it take place in another nearby area to the stadium. Why haven't we done more stuff like this??
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Okay, but this is the type of thinking I feel the DIA does WAY too often, and I kind of hate it. So, I pose the following question...
... other than the powers-that-be not wanting to deal with the immaterially extra hassle of not having a boring, treeless, flat space with which to work, what exactly is the reason we can't have a cool drinking area AND trees?? I'm guessing whatever excuse anyone gives me will be the same reason "Grange GROVE" is a bland, utilitarian grid that is completely devoid of trees instead of a completely unique vibe like the ACTUAL Grove at Ole Miss, which is pictured above.
There are actually a few trees in Grange Grover boarding the east and west lot lines. Not many but check back in 30 years and they'll be more prominent. There are trees in Lot 31. Trees line Kirby Ave as far as the eye can see in both directions. There are a few on 1st street. There are some trees in the grassy areas surrounding State Farm Center.
As much as it's discussed, it doesn't appear Illinois is trying to mimic Ole Miss. More trees would be nice but it's not going to make or break my Illinois football experience.
BTW, nice red boots.
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
I think the argument (if there was one to be made), is that many trees would take up usable space, and they want to maximize that space.
However, I completely agree. The space looks very naked and strange (almost cemetery like). A few more trees along the perimeter or inside the space could make a huge difference in look and feel.
There are some trees along the fence line and sidewalk, but probably not enough. It takes time for the trees to mature, so maybe in a few years the space will have a different feel.
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Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I mean, this is probably their EXACT reasoning, and it's what I hate!
As noted with the examples in my last post, this type of thinking would have the ivy at Wrigley replaced with a generic, padded wall ... after all, that would certainly "make a lot more sense!" It would also be lame as hell.Will the lack of trees ruin Illini tailgating for me?? Of course not. But could the DIA easily fill Grange Grove with trees, have the assigned tailgating lots follow a snake pattern rather than a standard grid and make that area have significantly more character than it will under their current plan? Without a doubt.
HA! All I can imagine when I hear that word, is a place dedicated to getting sick / throwing up your beer. Nice they have a dedicated place for that now
Wish they had at least one N/A beer. That’s my only wish.
I’m all for saving trees, however, the spruce or fir trees that were cut down for this new cocktail area or whatever it is were, in my opinion, pretty shabby looking. Some of them looked like they were half dead. The concession/gathering area behind the horseshoe, where these trees were was a blanket of dead needles and pinecones. To be honest, the fact that these trees are gone and they’re adding a new area for fans is a win-win to me.
Okay, but this is the type of thinking I feel the DIA does WAY too often, and I kind of hate it. So, I pose the following question...
... other than the powers-that-be not wanting to deal with the immaterially extra hassle of not having a boring, treeless, flat space with which to work, what exactly is the reason we can't have a cool drinking area AND trees?? I'm guessing whatever excuse anyone gives me will be the same reason "Grange GROVE" is a bland, utilitarian grid that is completely devoid of trees instead of a completely unique vibe like the ACTUAL Grove at Ole Miss, which is pictured above.
A giant green wall in left field that is comically high is "illogical." Having your outfield fence be literal brick with ivy all over it that is a total chore to maintain is "illogical." Iconic atmospheres are rarely, if ever, created by identifying the coldest and most logical solution. The atmosphere behind the Horseshoe for this new drinks area very well might be good ... can anyone say it wouldn't be even better with some trees? The last thing Champaign-Urbana needs to be doing to create any sort of cool vibe is cut down trees, haha.
EDIT: On this note, I think we should do everything possible to make the atmosphere and experience at Memorial Stadium stand out vs. other campuses. One idea I floated quite a long time ago was having a "Brewery Weekend" each year for a September home game in Grange Grove, effectively becoming an Illini-themed Oktoberfest that helps to promote local breweries and guarantees that at least one weekend will have an ELITE tailgating experience, even in years where our team might be subpar. If the DIA is worried about making Grange Grove too hostile to kids or whatever, have it take place in another nearby area to the stadium. Why haven't we done more stuff like this??
I’m all for some trees in Grange Grove to add to atmosphere and aesthetics. And if done right, you wouldn’t have to lose that much real estate that is generating revenue. The way it is now has always had kind of a county fair vibe to it, like it’s just temporary. It’s cool but there’s something missing. I don’t know if trees are it or not but it feels like it’s not quite complete.
On the other hand, Brewery Weekend is a 10 of 10 idea to me! We might have to tiptoe around the whole FamILLy thing with the marketing and promotion of an Illini-themed Oktoberfest, but I like your thinking!
MoCoMdIllini
- Montgomery County, Maryland
Need enough shrubry to do this
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Welcome to Grange Grid™ ... no trees allowed.
There’s multiple trees in that picture
Grange Plain?
Speaking of Grange Grove, has anyone done the self-tailgate ($50) option and what did you think? I'm considering it for Western Michigan, but IIUC, the only way to make your own food is to bring a silent generator and electric grill, which is a lot to lug from your car anyway (even if there is an unloading zone). No open flames allowed. There are food trucks around, but it sounds a bit...I don't know...Tailgate-Lite?
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Grange Range
- Status