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Post by tuna85 on Nov 10, 2023 15:55:58 GMT -6
I know this is an extremely slow and deliberate process, but I do wish occasionally information would be released from the University. Brandon thank you for giving us some insights as we wait to hear news. Was joking with my game day neighbor (who has me by a few years) that we may need an escalator when all is said and done. Seriously, I sit at the end of a row and have heard several 60+ mention they wished they had a handrail running up the middle of the steps for balance. Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing what the architects come up with and a timeline. |
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Post by brandon on Nov 10, 2023 19:24:41 GMT -6
I know this is an extremely slow and deliberate process, but I do wish occasionally information would be released from the University. Brandon thank you for giving us some insights as we wait to hear news. Was joking with my game day neighbor (who has me by a few years) that we may need an escalator when all is said and done. Seriously, I sit at the end of a row and have heard several 60+ mention they wished they had a handrail running up the middle of the steps for balance. Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing what the architects come up with and a timeline. Camden Yards has escalators... I don't know why we can't have 1... |
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Post by unafied on Nov 11, 2023 6:49:34 GMT -6
Was joking with my game day neighbor (who has me by a few years) that we may need an escalator when all is said and done. Seriously, I sit at the end of a row and have heard several 60+ mention they wished they had a handrail running up the middle of the steps for balance. Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing what the architects come up with and a timeline. Camden Yards has escalators... I don't know why we can't have 1... If it gets more butts in the seats, it sounds like a good investment to me. |
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Post by brandon on Nov 21, 2023 14:46:15 GMT -6
Was told today that UNA has raised over 60 million so far to build the stadium. All from outside resources. If anyone can confirm I would appreciate...
Was also told the overall goal is 100 million and no funds will come from the university. That's good...
If I'm not mistaken, Alabama States stadium was around 65 million? So if we are building a 100 million dollar stadium, it should be nice...
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Post by roaringsince96 on Dec 14, 2023 22:29:23 GMT -6
Anyone read article about the stadium in the Times Daily? Hoping maybe it mentioned some current progress or timelines? Thanks.
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Post by unafied on Dec 15, 2023 7:34:10 GMT -6
Anyone read article about the stadium in the Times Daily? Hoping maybe it mentioned some current progress or timelines? Thanks. Read it earlier. They've selected an architect and a management firm for the project. They're emphasizing that the project is "for real" this time, ha. I'm sure it is, I just wish it wasn't moving at a glacially slow pace. It also mentioned they are still looking at designs, and (unfortunately) the timeline is opening during the 2026-27 academic year. So hopefully football in fall of '26? It sounds like it's still not a 100% sure bet that baseball will play there, but they are still working on a design that plans for that. I wonder what the backup plan is if the decide baseball just isn't going to work out? |
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Post by unaman on Dec 15, 2023 8:31:11 GMT -6
Anyone read article about the stadium in the Times Daily? Hoping maybe it mentioned some current progress or timelines? Thanks. Read it earlier. They've selected an architect and a management firm for the project. They're emphasizing that the project is "for real" this time, ha. I'm sure it is, I just wish it wasn't moving at a glacially slow pace. It also mentioned they are still looking at designs, and (unfortunately) the timeline is opening during the 2026-27 academic year. So hopefully football in fall of '26? It sounds like it's still not a 100% sure bet that baseball will play there, but they are still working on a design that plans for that. I wonder what the backup plan is if the decide baseball just isn't going to work out? I guess it's moved past the announcement phase which is past the 2019 phase, but still no big progress. It has taken 3-4 months to select a company and we still haven't selected a design. I get that they are trying to get it "right" but I'm fully expecting them to delay the project till the finish of the project till 2027 just because of how long it is taking. For baseball, they have certain number of fall practices, I'm sure the team can get together on their own and do fielding and hitting drills on the field. With football and soccer practicing there on the field in the fall, where would baseball practice in the fall? Also, over the summer and during Fall, high school players have tournaments and fall ball on the field that I'm sure brings in some revenue. That would go away or move to Northwest Shoals. I still think the best option for baseball is to build a field beside the softball field. There is already an abandoned field and UNA owns that property. |
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Post by roaringsince96 on Dec 15, 2023 10:43:33 GMT -6
I agree on the building a separate baseball stadium closer to softball. Lot of exposure there with traffic alone. Simplify the solutions. All this is to continue to grow, do not miss that opportunity for continued growth.
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Post by unafied on Dec 15, 2023 11:12:46 GMT -6
The argument I could see for baseball is that students already don't show up, and moving it off-campus just hurts in potentially growing the student fanbase. But, it's not like Florence is a difficult town to drive around.
Personally I think college baseball needs to try to be more like minor league baseball and attract families. I would just settle for beer sales. I can't watch baseball without a beer and a hot dog!
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Post by roaringsince96 on Dec 15, 2023 14:31:59 GMT -6
Article about the stadium is up at roarlions.com
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Post by brandon on Dec 15, 2023 14:54:41 GMT -6
They really can't argue about students showing up at baseball games off campus, I go to a lot of games, they show up for softball, I haven't seen many students at a baseball game in a long time... maybe win and they show up?
As for the the stadium, if they are building a new facility for the band at Cox Creek. They will not have room for a baseball stadium too. I would propose one of two options, A- build the stadium for baseball as well, but a separate deal, think of Vandy and make that but integrated into the football stadium... the backside of one side of the football stadium could be part of the baseball stadium and share the concourse, move home plate to what is now right field and play ball the other direction. Then football and soccer don't have to worry about odd lines and such. The football/soccer part of the stadium could then be more traditional with sight lines.
Bothe baseball and football could share the press/luxury boxes and it may cost more than building a stand alone stadium but your getting two stadiums in one.
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Post by unalions on Dec 15, 2023 14:57:24 GMT -6
Article about the stadium is up at roarlions.com Nice! I looked at the architect’s website. They overhauled the basketball arena for the University of Florida and both end zone expansion projects at Bryant-Denny Stadium. www.dadot.com/design |
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Post by unaman on Dec 15, 2023 15:48:49 GMT -6
Read both articles intersting to note that the design phase is set to conclude at the end of 2024. 12 month of designing! What in the world has the staff been doing since June!? This project is going to drag so much. Don’t expect football to be played in new stadium till 2027 or 2028.
Where will baseball play during construction? Where will football/soccer practice and play during construction? Lots of questions to be asked and logistics will be difficult.
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Post by unalions on Dec 15, 2023 16:30:50 GMT -6
Read both articles intersting to note that the design phase is set to conclude at the end of 2024. 12 month of designing! What in the world has the staff been doing since June!? This project is going to drag so much. Don’t expect football to be played in new stadium till 2027 or 2028. Where will baseball play during construction? Where will football/soccer practice and play during construction? Lots of questions to be asked and logistics will be difficult. There are soccer fields at the Sportsplex and I assume football could practice at Braly most days. Baseball could possibly play home games for a season at NW-Shoals. |
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Post by unalions on Dec 15, 2023 18:59:18 GMT -6
Part of me envisions three separate field/stadiums in one complex. Keep baseball in the same general location, put football as it’s been drawn with it on the current practice field and then house Lions soccer on a great pitch where the current band field is. Make that area multiuse where smaller concerts or festivals etc could be contracted. The main football venue could hold larger concerts more in line with what Flowers Hall used to draw in the 70s and 80s. My parents went to see big names there back then. Just a thought.
Maybe if all goes well, hire the same firms to overhaul Flowers like Davis Architects did at UF.
I may have had some wine already tonight. lol. Roar Lions!
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