Ultimately hated what was done to the O'Dome; should have gone all in on a new facility. Why I am personally very skeptical of this plan until we actually see something more concrete from this admin. That said, the recommended option from the winning firm did show a reconfigured east side with a new tiered structure. If they are promising 83K seats, there is no way to get there without some sort of expansion.
Based on the photo in the "recommended option", it appears they'd replace at least the East side (probably West side as well) with decks. All but the top left option look like the East stands would be decked. My guess is that with the original East and West stands being so old and unable to widen the row depth for seat backs, they would be replace them completely. That stacked seating would allow them to increase row depth and seat width for seat backs while keeping capacity closer to where it is now. That's how you stay close to the same capacity without changing the footprint.
New construction is so better than remodeling something that is outdated though. You end up with a half ass job that looks like an afterthought. Maybe they will have some genius design though
Interesting. I have not seen these conceptual plans. To do the recommended build it appears that it will also require a complete rebuild of the upper portion of the SEZ since it currently integrates into the top 45 or so rows at both the SE and SW corners. Its obvious looking at that picture that they are very eager to build club seats to sell at an extreme premium that moves the proposed eastside 2nd deck up substantially (probably end up with a structure that has a similar height and looks a lot like the NEZ). Sideline nosebleeders are better than what is usually only partially filled in the NEZ sky deck, but not nearly as good as what exists currently. At the end of the day, any seats created to replace the primo lower bowl seating lost to chairbacks and aisle creation/widening will be in a markedly worse location. Is that really worth a billion $? How many years of Club seating revenue will it take to even get to the B-E point? If the only way I could buy an affordable seat at BHG was to sit way up in the current NEZ, you can bet I'd be at home in the AC in my LaZyBoy in front of my 70" widescreen sucking on a cold one straight from my fridge instead. Personally, I think what we have is better than any of the options presented. Get a bunch of number stickers. Renumber the existing benches giving each an extra 4" width and call it a day.
Yeah; I largely agree until we see more concrete plans. Updating concourses, bathrooms, audio/visuals. That's one thing. But we have to assume this is going to go the way of pretty much every other major renovation in college sports and it will be full of new luxury seating options, club decks, loge suites and the like. Price out the average fan, reduce student seating capacity (and probably move them high up in the endzone to open up more preferred seating along the sidelines). It's been the trend. Until we see actual plans, don't think it is unfair to be skeptical of the lip service.
Agreed. I don't have a problem with them upgrading amenities, concourses, etc. but we know that isn't the reason for this push. Unfortunately someone's greed or ego (or both) might radically change what is IMO one of the best college stadiums in the U.S. Put a winning product on the field and it will be packed to the gills and they can raise ticket prices commensurately and save a billion $$.
Pretty much but i need space to keep my knees out of backs. My skinny ass doesnt need more room. But who sits anyway unless the game sucks.
What we plainly need, as long as we keep things "as is", is to incorporate drone technology to allow us to push a button for one to arrive at the precise location, pick up the fat slob who sits in the middle of the row and 1) arrives to the games 15 minutes late, 2) wants something to eat or drink at the concessions (nachos with yellow poison!), even though they just finished a banquet at their tailgate party, and 3) needs to clean out the system from all the crap they have eaten and drunk. And then when they have completed their task, the drones will hoist their fat asses with their yellow poison crap stuff and set them down in their proper place...all while not affecting the sights and sounds of the actual game. In 2025, how hard could that be? I say
UAA plan to revamp stadium without losing seats: 1/4 of the restructuring budget should last for several years.
The additions up until now seem well designed . Im just nut sure where they go from here. Erector set in the bowl or take it all back down to original bowl and start from there. I think back to original first and they could maybe do something
All I see are big picture views. The devil is in the details. See my previous posts, along with G'head's, as it relates to HVAC. I am reminded of the line "anyone can put a motor on a clawfoot bathtub and call it a boat". Sure, but is that the best use of funds? Methinks the sell of being "partially pregnant" is going to be strong. And it is going to waste a LOT of money.
I think the stadium renovations should be put on hold for now. College/Semi-Pro football is at the crossroads. Will it move away from the NCAA? If so what kind of Super Conference will it be. How many teams? Will UF be a part of it? What will the cost be? This gives it one more year to see how the Napier process is improving. Will he be the coach to led UF into a Super Conference? To many questions and possibilities to commit to cost of renovations at this time. Opinions please. Like I have to ask.
I think most of these new or retro stadium jobs have a limited number of design build teams that specialize in this work. As has been stated numerous times, the emphasis on these design concepts IS NOT adding capacity, rather adding luxury, ergo enhanced (elevated) ticket prices and of course sky box maximization. In fairness to UF, if the stadium is kept in it's current location, and it seems it will, space is a limiting factor, it's just a TIGHT spot.
55 - You council wisdom, but one of the economic sectors of the economy booming is college athletics, particularly football. Big budgets, lots of construction jobs, the prestige and glamor of the new "toy", (the Jerry Jones effect), and of course the continuing infrastructure warfare ongoing in the SEC. I think it is a given, as long as the money continues to flow, that this is going forward. Just my opinion, I have no "insider" information.
I build a wood staircase once in a while. When you look at rise and run and the incline is already established, it can be impossible to stay in code without extending the distanced traveled. For me, it often means extending at the bottom. Im wondering how they are planning on extending the depth. The only way is to make less rows and add more steps in aisles i guess
It appears that the recommended version tears down the upper SEZ and what was added to the original lower East side bowl many years ago, installs club/loge/booth seating and then a upper decks on the top of that. Think Jacksonville W side upper deck if you want to think how the experience will be from a similar vantage point. Its one reason (other than our DA coaches getting their asses handed to them regularly) why I stopped buying UF_UGa tix. I kept getting stuck way up in that crummy upper deck despite having season tickets for 30+ years.
