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Post by unafied on Jul 11, 2018 7:53:17 GMT -6
Since it's the off-season and I haven't noticed one of these threads since I've been on the board (which admittedly is not that long), I thought I'd bring this up. Let's say for whatever reason the University decides against building a new football stadium. Not saying I support this idea, nor do I necessarily think this will be the case, it's just a hypothetical. Say the City of Florence either decides to give us or sell the stadium to us, or at least allow us to entirely control what happens there. I know, long-shot scenario, but again... this is just a hypothetical. I think we can all admit that the luster has really worn off of the old girl in the past decade, despite some enhancements. So, what would it take for the stadium to be brought up to the standard you feel like we should strive for? I'll start with three big improvements I think we would need: - Parking. The whole reason (or at least the main reason) the last dust-up occurred, with the new middle school taking a lot of the space behind the press box. I don't want a stadium surrounded by asphalt, but something needs to be done. What if, in a perfect world, we ever started drawing a max capacity of ~15,000 people? We would have issues (like we already do). For years I have said a parking deck, even a small one of 2 or 3 stories, should be built on the old baseball field. The side facing the south endzone would contain luxury suites, new concessions, etc. Perhaps you build new locker rooms into the bottom floor. When football games are not happening it could be used for Florence Middle School parking, or for folks using Martin Park/Royal Avenue recreation facilities, or even overflow parking for UNA students. Heck I've always said to throw in a "Champions Plaza" as well with some statues and plaques to former players and teams. This has always been an idea I have supported, even if I realize it's the most unlikely and maybe even too aggressive to be a possibility.
- A new press box. Not a remodeled press box, a new press box. The two-tone monstrosity there now is just no longer acceptable. Personally I'd like to see a new brick structure that would span the length of the stands, again providing some opportunity for luxury suites and concession opportunities.
- A smaller gripe than the other two, but new lighting for the east stands. It has been what, 20 years now that we have kept the old light poles jutting out? It looked awful then and it still does now.
There are definitely more things I would personally like to see done, but these three would likely be the most effective in bringing the stadium more in line with some of the better FCS venues.
I'm curious to hear other thoughts.
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Post by brandon on Jul 11, 2018 8:21:11 GMT -6
As far as the new pres box, that was more the argument than parking, the new school is so close to the stadium, you can get a construction crew and equipment back there to do anything to that side of the stands, you will be hard pressed to get fire crews in there with trucks (trust me) the way it's being done.
In a perfect world, new press box with luxury boxes, turn the old baseball field into a nice manicured area with plaques and statues entering the new endzone seating at that end.
The other endzone would have new locker rooms, and a trainer facility for injured players. The outside would be well maintained as well.
The whole stadium would be bricked inside and out. The turf would have cut outs for UNA and Conference logos.
The capacity of the stadium would be no less than 20k.
But the first issue is why we will build a new stadium. Remember, they are moving the baseball field to Cox Creek as soon as possible.
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Post by 1949lions on Jul 11, 2018 8:23:14 GMT -6
As far as the new pres box, that was more the argument than parking, the new school is so close to the stadium, you can get a construction crew and equipment back there to do anything to that side of the stands, you will be hard pressed to get fire crews in there with trucks (trust me) the way it's being done. In a perfect world, new press box with luxury boxes, turn the old baseball field into a nice manicured area with plaques and statues entering the new endzone seating at that end. The other endzone would have new locker rooms, and a trainer facility for injured players. The outside would be well maintained as well. The whole stadium would be bricked inside and out. The turf would have cut outs for UNA and Conference logos. The capacity of the stadium would be no less than 20k. But the first issue is why we will build a new stadium. Remember, they are moving the baseball field to Cox Creek as soon as possible. Why do you say remember? This was barely mentioned at the last press release as a possibility and now it's "as soon as possible"?
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Post by brandon on Jul 11, 2018 8:25:21 GMT -6
It wasn't supposed to get out at all until later. The Times Daily dropped the ball when they were talking about the beach volleyball courts.
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Post by 1949lions on Jul 11, 2018 10:23:40 GMT -6
It wasn't supposed to get out at all until later. The Times Daily dropped the ball when they were talking about the beach volleyball courts. Dropped the ball or reported what was said by commissioners?
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Post by unafied on Jul 11, 2018 10:31:04 GMT -6
As far as the new pres box, that was more the argument than parking, the new school is so close to the stadium, you can get a construction crew and equipment back there to do anything to that side of the stands, you will be hard pressed to get fire crews in there with trucks (trust me) the way it's being done. In a perfect world, new press box with luxury boxes, turn the old baseball field into a nice manicured area with plaques and statues entering the new endzone seating at that end. The other endzone would have new locker rooms, and a trainer facility for injured players. The outside would be well maintained as well. The whole stadium would be bricked inside and out. The turf would have cut outs for UNA and Conference logos. The capacity of the stadium would be no less than 20k. But the first issue is why we will build a new stadium. Remember, they are moving the baseball field to Cox Creek as soon as possible. Good point on the press box. I haven't seen the area behind there lately, but I understand it's a very tight squeeze now. I still don't understand why the new building had to be SO close to the stadium, when that parcel extends all the way over to Cherry Street. It's very strange, unless (putting on tinfoil hat) they were doing this to try to run UNA off. But you would think even FHS would want/need an upgraded press box somewhere down the line. So why box yourself in?
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Post by northalaspectator on Jul 11, 2018 12:15:41 GMT -6
The City of Florence has absolutely nothing to do with Braly now. That is between the University and The City Board of Education. The City School Board owns the entire property including the Stadium.
They are building a small parking lot on the corner of Hermitage and Cherry. I asked why couldn’t they redesign the building and put part of the building where they are putting that parking lot. Their comment was “it wasn’t big enough.”
I was told by State Law they only had to allow only enough space to allow a fire truck.
When the University was talking with the newspaper about the beach volleyball they also mentioned about the baseball field. The newspaper just happen to let that leak out.
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Post by brandon on Jul 11, 2018 13:21:11 GMT -6
The City of Florence has absolutely nothing to do with Braly now. That is between the University and The City Board of Education. The City School Board owns the entire property including the Stadium. They are building a small parking lot on the corner of Hermitage and Cherry. I asked why couldn’t they redesign the building and put part of the building where they are putting that parking lot. Their comment was “it wasn’t big enough.” I was told by State Law they only had to allow only enough space to allow a fire truck. When the University was talking with the newspaper about the beach volleyball they also mentioned about the baseball field. The newspaper just happen to let that leak out. You are right, I just say city of florence when I am talking about the board of education. And you are right about the firetruck, but state law don't say what size or what type of firetruck. What they don't realize is, you will need a ladder truck with enough room to operate it and stay out of the collapse zone which is 1and 1/2 the height of the structure. That means for a fire company to be effective, the fire truck will need to be at least in the parking lot on the other side of the school. Not to mention, it will take more than 1 truck, and 1 crew to do the job. So the fire crew will have to (a long with 100lbs of gear strapped to them) haul hoses and other essential equipment uphill to the structure. Not a very good idea. Hopefully it will never happen, but if it does, hopefully nobody is in there.
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Post by catscratchfever4 on Jul 11, 2018 13:37:43 GMT -6
A big bulldozer.
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Post by unafied on Jul 11, 2018 13:37:59 GMT -6
The City of Florence has absolutely nothing to do with Braly now. That is between the University and The City Board of Education. The City School Board owns the entire property including the Stadium. They are building a small parking lot on the corner of Hermitage and Cherry. I asked why couldn’t they redesign the building and put part of the building where they are putting that parking lot. Their comment was “it wasn’t big enough.” I was told by State Law they only had to allow only enough space to allow a fire truck. When the University was talking with the newspaper about the beach volleyball they also mentioned about the baseball field. The newspaper just happen to let that leak out. I think I said City of Florence in my OP. My bad. Though I'm sure even though they are "technically" separate entities, one has influence on the other... Sounds like the Board had an architectural vision in mind for the school and didn't want to deviate from the plan. It is what it is. There's no changing it now. Wasn't Linder quoted in that article regarding the baseball field? I wonder if he told them something "off the record" but it was printed anyway. I believe he said in the article that it was an "idea" or something to that effect. So I wouldn't say the TD confirmed it or anything, just let it slip that the University is at least thinking about it. Obviously plans may be further along than that suggests.
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Post by brandon on Jul 11, 2018 14:07:47 GMT -6
Okay, I PM some about what is going on, but since it was Linder that said it I will let those who don't know, in. The plans are (and we all know how plans go) to build a baseball stadium at Cox Creek next to the softball stadium. The softball stadium should be updated as well. After that is done, start building a football stadium at the location of the practice field. The current baseball field would become a new soccer complex with permanent seating. That's the plans. I don't know the exact time frame, but that money coming from FBS games will help fund the development.
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Post by Lion2001 on Jul 11, 2018 22:45:43 GMT -6
Okay, I PM some about what is going on, but since it was Linder that said it I will let those who don't know, in. The plans are (and we all know how plans go) to build a baseball stadium at Cox Creek next to the softball stadium. The softball stadium should be updated as well. After that is done, start building a football stadium at the location of the practice field. The current baseball field would become a new soccer complex with permanent seating. That's the plans. I don't know the exact time frame, but that money coming from FBS games will help fund the development. Would this cause the band practice field to be moved? (Just curious, as a former member of the P.O.D.)
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Post by brandon on Jul 12, 2018 6:15:48 GMT -6
Okay, I PM some about what is going on, but since it was Linder that said it I will let those who don't know, in. The plans are (and we all know how plans go) to build a baseball stadium at Cox Creek next to the softball stadium. The softball stadium should be updated as well. After that is done, start building a football stadium at the location of the practice field. The current baseball field would become a new soccer complex with permanent seating. That's the plans. I don't know the exact time frame, but that money coming from FBS games will help fund the development. Would this cause the band practice field to be moved? (Just curious, as a former member of the P.O.D.) Probably, but I'm sure they have provisions for that as well. Maybe the intramural feild? Would there be enough room?
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Post by unafied on Jul 12, 2018 10:13:44 GMT -6
I think the plan will have to include building something elsewhere on campus. If they manage to squeeze a new stadium and a soccer complex into that spot, there still needs to be practice space for both football and the POD. Do any schools use their stadium for one or both of those purposes? I don't know for sure. If a separate football practice facility is a must, honestly I'd like to see it be either indoor or at least provisions made for enclosing it at some point. It makes too much sense and would be a good recruiting pitch. Could the POD practice indoors, or would that be, well, too loud? Maybe a compromise could be something like what UAB just opened? Covered but not enclosed: www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/news/2017/08/28/in-pictures-uab-football-blazes-a-new-trail.html. There's a lot of moving parts, but it's obviously fun to imagine what campus will look like in 10+ years.
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Post by mtc13 on Jul 13, 2018 9:35:32 GMT -6
Why don't they expand Braly Stadium? For example, build stands in the south endzone where Coffee High's old baseball field was.
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