g-mann17 Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 Try convincing KD we don't need a facility upgrade until the JAR is filled consistently. The arena is a recruiting tool, it's where the prospective recruit pictures himself playing before he decides. That's why KD is talking about it. Better facility-->better recruits-->more wins-->more fans in seats. We'll see it happen when Infocision opens.A postgame quote from KD..."And the one thing I will tell you with our administration, that's the president, the board of trustees, athletic director, they're going to put money into the program, which is going to separate us before it's all over. And you like that pressure I put on you?"He knows that he has the support of the school. This time around you have administration that wants to improve all sports at the same time and not just do what is best for one program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zip81 Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 I think we're going to have to get the city involved if we entertain a new arena. That means making the arena available for other things than UA Basketball, which it would need to meet expenses. I don't see what's wrong with the area across from Canal Park. Hell, campus goes down to Main Street anyway with Polsky...and what about Quaker Sq? Canal park isn't that far and you have night life already in the area.I don't think we need to fill the JAR before we build a new arena. We need the better facility to become better to get more butts in the seats...chicken and egg thing.The question is timing. The U isn't going to shell out anymore right now for another sports facility...not with tuition going up and state subsidies going down. Bad PR move for them. And even if the city does get involved, that means getting money from the State, which isn't going to happen with the current economic climate.The only hope is for a little stimulus money from Barrack. (that's a joke by the way) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinZip Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 I can see why many would think the time to act is now, we have so much momentum going forward. Yet we have a new football stadium that is receiving criticism as it is, and there is no way a new arena will happen in the next few years. People would complain that we are holding classes in closets while our sports teams get new facilities every twenty years. With that said, however, I too dream. (The Lebron Center) The previous year I lived in the quaker square dorms and it felt as close as could be. A state of the art downtown arena to me seems great in the sense that it will bring the community, students, and businesses into the heart of the city. Can't imagine it would save money in the short term, but in the long run I can see it being a huge boost. Maybe the JAR could undergo renovations to become an ice rink? There is no way this would happen in the next 5 years, but I think it'd be awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zen Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 STIMULUS!Hey Barrack! Think of the jobs it would create!Maybe LeBron would agree to do a ground-breaking photo-op with Barrack... I'm sure the President would love the opportunity to be seen with King James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zip81 Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 I think we're going to have to get the city involved if we entertain a new arena. That means making the arena available for other things than UA Basketball, which it would need to meet expenses. I don't see what's wrong with the area across from Canal Park. Hell, campus goes down to Main Street anyway with Polsky...and what about Quaker Sq? Canal park isn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziptrumpet87 Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 The Don had mentioned he would like a joint venture wiht UA that would allow a minor league team (basketball/hockey) to also use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RACER Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 there is now way the zips will get a new arena.unless somebody like james is willing to kick in millions to this.the gov't is billions in debt to the so i doubt you will get help from the state or federal gov't.with the new stadium where would the money come from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Zip Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 O Sports is housed in the Penton Media Building in DT Cleveland (St. Clair and E. 9th) on the first floor they have drawings of their work and models. A drawing and a model of the new arena you speak of is in this office. I don't know who commissioned it where it came from, but they did it already. They tend to do more government buildings now a days, but they bid on the football stadium too. They did the original horseshoe in Columbus and the new addition. They designed Yankee Stadium (not the new one) years ago too. Anyone have an information on the drawings and model? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uafan Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 STIMULUS!Hey Barrack! Think of the jobs it would create!Maybe LeBron would agree to do a ground-breaking photo-op with Barrack... I'm sure the President would love the opportunity to be seen with King JamesOutstanding!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachTheZip Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 Remember this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleacher Bum Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 Remember this?That link doesn't even work anymore. Obviously a pipe dream for more than just fans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZippyRulz Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 http://www.print-epro.net/freeport/446/Akr...09/index.php#/0This link is to the current Akron magazine. Page 13 has the ($500M) Capital Campaign report. $200M is the goal for continued "improvements to campus facilities". I heard the KD post-game interview and he did mention the support of Proenza, Directors and AD and putting money into athletic facilities. He must be expecting something to happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Zip Posted March 21, 2009 Report Share Posted March 21, 2009 Just because the page is gone doesn't mean the drawings aren't there....that is osports and you can see the drawing in their office in the windows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipsrifle Posted March 21, 2009 Report Share Posted March 21, 2009 I actually heard that the JAR was to be rennovated in the next couple of years. Personally, I think we should fill the JAR first before shelling out more cash for a BB arena. I also think the Soccer team should get a new stadium, and maybe we could update the Shooting Range so it is of a "caliber" that is fit for a National Champion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootforRoo44 Posted March 21, 2009 Report Share Posted March 21, 2009 STIMULUS!Hey Barrack! Think of the jobs it would create!Maybe LeBron would agree to do a ground-breaking photo-op with Barrack... I'm sure the President would love the opportunity to be seen with King JamesI'd say don't let him use a teleprompter because he would steal LeBron's lines, but without one he would just make fun of the disabled kids in the area. Kind of a lose/lose situation for LeBron, i doubt he'd do it because of the bad publicity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted March 21, 2009 Report Share Posted March 21, 2009 Here is the link to O Sports' (a division of Osborne Engineering) Akron Arena project. It's gorgeous.Akron ArenaAdditionally, it is adjacent to the Mayflower building - a building just begging to be used by the U for dormitories. If we'd turn the Mayflower into dorm space that would give us a nice presence downtown going (N-to-S) the Polsky Building, the Mayflower dorms, the Arena Office/Retail Atrium and finally the Akron Arena. (As we've mentioned before, nothing but GOOOOOOD for downtown would come of UA transforming the Mayflower into dormitory space.)Edit: follow the link above, then to the left of that page click "indoor" and then below that click "akron arena." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbozeglav Posted March 21, 2009 Report Share Posted March 21, 2009 STIMULUS!Hey Barrack! Think of the jobs it would create!Maybe LeBron would agree to do a ground-breaking photo-op with Barrack... I'm sure the President would love the opportunity to be seen with King JamesI'd say don't let him use a teleprompter because he would steal LeBron's lines, but without one he would just make fun of the disabled kids in the area. Kind of a lose/lose situation for LeBron, i doubt he'd do it because of the bad publicity.sounds like a sour mccain voter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachTheZip Posted March 21, 2009 Report Share Posted March 21, 2009 Here is the link to O Sports' (a division of Osborne Engineering) Akron Arena project. It's gorgeous.Akron ArenaAdditionally, it is adjacent to the Mayflower building - a building just begging to be used by the U for dormitories. If we'd turn the Mayflower into dorm space that would give us a nice presence downtown going (N-to-S) the Polsky Building, the Mayflower dorms, the Arena Office/Retail Atrium and finally the Akron Arena. (As we've mentioned before, nothing but GOOOOOOD for downtown would come of UA transforming the Mayflower into dormitory space.)Edit: follow the link above, then to the left of that page click "indoor" and then below that click "akron arena."They also have one of Akron's new soccer stadium under "master planning". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDZip Posted March 21, 2009 Report Share Posted March 21, 2009 There are definite plans to do some upgrades at the JAR. I met one of the assistant athletic directors out in Portland and he was helping to raise the funds for the renovation. Didn't get a chance to ask what they were, though. I think a downtown arena would be great but it's a few years down the road, I'm afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip N' Dots Posted March 24, 2009 Report Share Posted March 24, 2009 There are definite plans to do some upgrades at the JAR. I met one of the assistant athletic directors out in Portland and he was helping to raise the funds for the renovation. Didn't get a chance to ask what they were, though. I think a downtown arena would be great but it's a few years down the road, I'm afraid.What happen to the arena talk across from canal park? perfect location, I talk to someone from the city and they said that is still being considered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachTheZip Posted March 24, 2009 Report Share Posted March 24, 2009 There are definite plans to do some upgrades at the JAR. I met one of the assistant athletic directors out in Portland and he was helping to raise the funds for the renovation. Didn't get a chance to ask what they were, though. I think a downtown arena would be great but it's a few years down the road, I'm afraid.What happen to the arena talk across from canal park? perfect location, I talk to someone from the city and they said that is still being considered.It would be a terrible PR move for the city to spend money like that at this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinZip Posted March 24, 2009 Report Share Posted March 24, 2009 To be honest, and I think many would agree with me on this: The soccer team deserves attention first. Despite this, there will be many who question any action taken strictly on the basis that we are spending money. It is a difficult...no impossible balance for any University, or city to budget their money in a way that will make everyone happy. Many investments (such as a new stadium) may show no short term benefit, yet have the potential to reap numerous rewards (as we all know). So yea, in summary the majority of the excess money (if we have any) should go into showin some love to our soccer team. I have a limited knowledge of the smaller Akron sports such as rifle, but imagine they should be on the short list as well. Then maybe followed by some major basketball tune-ups. But still I dream...oh and for all you number lovers out there...there are at least a couple here though it is from 2005, some are quite interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZippyTuba11 Posted March 24, 2009 Report Share Posted March 24, 2009 There are definite plans to do some upgrades at the JAR. I met one of the assistant athletic directors out in Portland and he was helping to raise the funds for the renovation. Didn't get a chance to ask what they were, though. I think a downtown arena would be great but it's a few years down the road, I'm afraid.What happen to the arena talk across from canal park? perfect location, I talk to someone from the city and they said that is still being considered.It would be a terrible PR move for the city to spend money like that at this time.I don't see how this would be a bad PR move for the city. This economy is a perfect time to build, especially if they get $$$ from the government. 1. Hire locals in construction.2. Goods are potentially cheapr now than they will be when the economy rebounds.3. Once completed, ensure it is properly staffed by locals (no outsourcing)4. Keep the arena busy with venues so it brings money into Akron economy.5. When economy rebounds (and it will) the value of the arena will skyrocketFrankly, I think the city and university would be F***ing stupid not to build now. It goes along with that old saying "buy low sell high" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinZip Posted March 24, 2009 Report Share Posted March 24, 2009 The University of Akron: Where we have 2 basketball arenas and classes in closets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachTheZip Posted March 24, 2009 Report Share Posted March 24, 2009 The University of Akron: Where we have 2 basketball arenas and classes in closetsWe have two buildings with closet classrooms masquerading as basketball arenas right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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