We need to. The O’Dome just doesn’t cut it, even with the renovation. If the golf course relocates as rumored I’ve wondered if that is not a potential new location.
I find that hard to believe. The O’Dome is almost entirely new. It wasn’t just a facelift, it was a total reconstruction inside the shell of the previous building. I like the location, esp for students. Parking is the only reason to move it. Would have been nice to get a more special facility vs. a relatively boring redo in the same footprint. I still remember that ultra modern one by that L.A. architecture firm… when I saw the proposal I was like.. yessss!!!! Maybe next time they do it right. But I can’t imagine an all new arena would be in the cards for at least another 10 years or more.
It will definitely be a while. We have other things we’d have to take care of first, like finding swimming a new home, before we can replace the O’Dome completely.
Parts of the Swamp are in shambles and probably needing 9 figures renovation at this point. So it’s hard to see anything in the budget for a new arena until that is taken care of first. A new basketball arena would probably be the 2nd biggest ticket project behind renovating the Swamp. But the arena just had its renovation…the Swamp is still waiting. If they are talking about moving the basketball arena, it might be part of some long term planning concept for the campus. That would be my guess. But I don’t think there’s any chance of it being budgeted until the arena itself has seen its useful life expire.
For sure, I don't think we are talking about anything in the near future. This is something 15 years down the road. I do think it is happening at some point though. The renovation was a good stop gap to bring it up to par, but there's only so much that can be done. The multi-purpose design made it tough to make it into anything other than just an OK sports viewing venue.
Football needs yet another facility. Baseball, softball, gymnastics, basketball will soon be in Newberry. Tennis will be at IMG. Golf will be at Ponte Vedra.
The Glover thread reminded me of this amazing hire. So glad Green coming home. Whoever is at point will benefit greatly.
So, is this a new job position? Regardless, isn't it a huge failure on the part of the UAA if this podition did not exist or if it has had questionable success?
Well, let's see... We've got Humphrey back in Gainesville doing analysis with Mick, and Taurean back in Gainesville working front office magic for Todd. We truly are putting the band back together! Looking forward to some broadcast banter between Humps and Taurean already.
I follow Jo a bit on Instagram. He and Green hang out a lot together with their kids who look to be around the same age. Jo is still very sentimental about Gainesville.
The 06 team was my favorite gator team to watch ever in any sport. They played with such joy and love, it was beautiful basketball, and it came out of nowhere given who we lost the year before. Just one of those one in a million deals.
Well, 2* in a million Yeah that team was one of the best of all time. Only team EVER to do back to backs with the same starting 5. Really glad I got to see those guys play.
