Dan
State Farm Center Renovation
ILL in IA
- Iowa City
This has to be really cool for the players. For the older guys, you go from the old to the new. For guys like AJ, JCL and DJW, you took a recruiting visit to what was a hole in the ground, to opening up your first home game of your career in this. Hopefully its not the only bright spot of the year.
We should really be doing a better job of managing expectations. It's still a construction zone over there, the place isn't "finished" by any stretch of the imagination. The seats are done, that's pretty much it.
You're right, it is still a construction zone, but you're downplaying how much work is actually completed. It's far more than just the seats.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Surely this isn't great facility being completed on time and on budget! Don't they know the athletic department is in shambles!?
But the seats are the only part that's DONE done. That will look no different 6 months or 10 years from now.
Dan
Admin
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Is it just me, or is pretty much no one going to be able to actually watch the game while standing at these tables? I know that's kind of how standing room areas are, but it seems like they could have built more of a bar overlooking the court. Something more substantial than the little tiny one show here.
Illini_1979
- Oregon
I think it looks fantastic!
Can't wait to make a trip home and attend a game.
:thumb:
Can't wait to make a trip home and attend a game.
:thumb:
danielb927
Orange Krush Class of 2013
- Rochester, MN
I don't think I'm actually going to believe this is really what SFC looks like now until I'm able to see it in person later this month. The photos are awesome.
Yup. Ron Guenther is gone, but he's not THAT gone.
This is now essentially two arenas, one for the unwashed masses, and one hermetically sealed away for the chosen plutocrats. Illinois is worse than most with these sorts of attitudes, but it's not so different from every modern sports venue in that way. This was always going to be part of the deal.
The good news is, unlike with Memorial Stadium, the remaining portion for the masses has been dramatically improved, the amenities for the players are being brought up to a competitive level, and the changes have been made with an eye to the "feel" both in the arena and on TV.
The people in the suites only have seats in the suites. The seats below the suites and above the Krush are part of the Tradition Club and those people have assigned seats. They also have a large club area off of the East lower concourse which includes that "patio" one can see in one of the above pictures.(the one with the round tables, overlooking the Henson court).
ilphotog
The camera never lies
- Champaign
Some were hoping that they would at least paint it for this season, but they didn't.
Calls to mind the mid-renovation state of Memorial Stadium. Boy, things sure did change in terms of those little visual flourishes that demonstrate care and attention to detail over the past 4 years. I wonder what was different :tape::tape::tape:
ilphotog
The camera never lies
- Champaign
Today's visit - Last one for this phase, might do one a month on the area's being worked on behind the temp walls. A lot of cleaning and getting everything set. The two main things after last week. A new State Farm Center sign is up on top of the pillars outside the West entrance (assume it lights up). The letters are big enough to see but not to big. And another really nice sign inside the West entrance - "State Farm Center West Lobby".
Thank goodness someone is finally concerned about the welfare of all the fatcats!
Anyone who would have access to that patio area has a physical seat elsewhere in the arena premium seating--Traditions Club seating (East & West), Suites, Loge and Legacy.
Good view from the front ledge and reasonable from the first row of tables.
More tables in the concourse area but they'll have TVs if eating & drinking is their priority over seeing the entire game 'live' from their seats.
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No. That concourse will be restricted to those with premium seating (Suites, Traditions, Loge, Legacy) and extends all the way behind all the suites and the patio area. That concourse area is the premium seating amenities area--concessions, tables, TVs and rest rooms. There was no substantial barrier at either end last night but there will be people checking your ticket for access during games, for sure.
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Yeah, it looks like everyone will actually be seeing an improvement to the facilities... unlike the ticket holders in the East Balcony or Horseshoe across the street, who were lied to about getting improvements and got nothing. Very excited to see it tomorrow night. :thumb:
Will their be a small section for away fans behind the opponent's bench, surrounded by Orange Krush? That's something I didn't really think about before.
Interesting question. Quick look at the 3-D seating map shows only the 3 rows in section 104 & 105 (all just above the band area) listed as "not available" for purchase. Everything else is Krush/student seating or premium seating in the lower bowl (formerly A & AA sections).
ilphotog
The camera never lies
- Champaign
Those are for the band members, their area is smaller than before.