Tom and Hunter go arena scouting

[ZachTheZip]

http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/zips/2009/10/a...-toledos-arena/Rasor has reported that Tom Wistrcill took Hunter Yurachek and a guy from First Energy with him on a trip to Toledo to check out the new Lucas County Arena. It's pretty much the exact same thing that the city of Akron wants to have. The only exception is that UA could share the arena with the city and have all the mens basketball games there, which is something that UT can't do because they're not located downtown like UA is.

[g-mann17]

http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/zips/2009/10/a...-toledos-arena/Rasor has reported that Tom Wistrcill took Hunter Yurachek and a guy from First Energy with him on a trip to Toledo to check out the new Lucas County Arena. It's pretty much the exact same thing that the city of Akron wants to have. The only exception is that UA could share the arena with the city and have all the mens basketball games there, which is something that UT can't do because they're not located downtown like UA is.

You are so poking the Jake/Blake/Bilbo bear it's not even funny. I believe this is similar to when Thomas and then Rhoades visited places like ECU, and Oregon State.

[Dave in Green]

Do NOT look at the interior and exterior photos of the new Toledo facility unless you are prepared to deal with serious feelings of envy:Lucas County Arena Photos

[Captain Kangaroo]

I couldn't find the capacity specified anywhere on the site.Apparently it is 8k for sporting events.

[Zip Watcher]

CK, that's my understanding from looking into that awhile ago. 12k for concerts, 8k for hockey .. slightly more for hoops.The City of Akron could really benefit from having a facility like this. I think it's really telling that a FE exec would be along for the ride. Let's hope the Don can get something put together (with UA's support) that everyone can access and benefit from. B) Go Zips!

[g-mann17]

CK, that's my understanding from looking into that awhile ago. 12k for concerts, 8k for hockey .. slightly more for hoops.The City of Akron could really benefit from having a facility like this. I think it's really telling that a FE exec would be along for the ride. Let's hope the Don can get something put together (with UA's support) that everyone can access and benefit from. B) Go Zips!

Exactly, Rasor mentioned rumors of two additional visitors. If those visitors were there, this was a very big excursion.Here's hoping it all works out... Playing at the First Energy "Power House" doesn't sound too bad to me.

[MDZip]

It does look like a very nice facility, looks to have started around the same time as Infocision. I could see something like that working as a partnership with the city and University.

[Zip Watcher]

Plusquellic Pavilion aka the Don DomeFirst Energy ForumThe Dambrot DomeThe city needs a facility like this for downtown .. I don't care what they call it. B) B)

[g-mann17]

Plusquellic Pavilion aka the Don DomeFirst Energy ForumThe Dambrot DomeThe city needs a facility like this for downtown .. I don't care what they call it. B) B)

As I recall most of the city felt an Arena was a necessity too. It was part of the Akron 2025 project. Just a look around to other communities is depressing. Y-town has one, Dayton has two, Toledo now has one. Why shouldn't Akron have one (we used to have one at Goodyear, but these things outdate so fast).Let's go Akron; Let's go Zips!!! Let's make this thing happen.

[Blue & Gold]

<br />

CK, that's my understanding from looking into that awhile ago. 12k for concerts, 8k for hockey .. slightly more for hoops.<br /><br />The City of Akron could really benefit from having a facility like this. I think it's really telling that a FE exec would be along for the ride. Let's hope the Don can get something put together (with UA's support) that everyone can access and benefit from.<br /><br /> <img src="style_emoticons/default/cool.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="cool.gif" /> <img src="style_emoticons/default/cool.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="cool.gif" /> <img src="style_emoticons/default/cool.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="cool.gif" /> <br /><br />Go Zips!<br /><br /> <img src="style_emoticons/default/macc.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="macc.gif" />

<br />Exactly, Rasor mentioned rumors of two additional visitors. If those visitors were there, this was a very big excursion.<br /><br />Here's hoping it all works out... Playing at the First Energy "Power House" doesn't sound too bad to me.<br /><br /> <img src="style_emoticons/default/cheers.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="cheers.gif" /> <img src="style_emoticons/default/cheers.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="cheers.gif" /><br />

<br /><br /><br />Oooh, The First Energy Arena, a.k.a. The "Power House"! I like that a lot!!!

[GoZips88]

Plusquellic Pavilion aka the Don DomeFirst Energy ForumThe Dambrot DomeThe city needs a facility like this for downtown .. I don't care what they call it. B) B)

My vote would be "The Don!"

[zipsbandman]

I'd say both the University and the city can benefit from the arena. And it gives students another reason to stick around in Akron on weekends if you can book concerts and other events at the facility. The project may be attainable if it's true that first energy steps up as a key sponsor. The question now is whether the city can really justify funding the project and also with the University trying to pay of the INFO how much cash can we really put down on this?

[g-mann17]

I'd say both the University and the city can benefit from the arena. And it gives students another reason to stick around in Akron on weekends if you can book concerts and other events at the facility. The project may be attainable if it's true that first energy steps up as a key sponsor. The question now is whether the city can really justify funding the project and also with the University trying to pay of the INFO how much cash can we really put down on this?

Well that is why I think there will be county help on this too.

[skip-zip]

Plusquellic Pavilion aka the Don DomeFirst Energy ForumThe Dambrot DomeThe city needs a facility like this for downtown .. I don't care what they call it. B) B)

As I recall most of the city felt an Arena was a necessity too. It was part of the Akron 2025 project. Just a look around to other communities is depressing. Y-town has one, Dayton has two, Toledo now has one. Why shouldn't Akron have one (we used to have one at Goodyear, but these things outdate so fast).Let's go Akron; Let's go Zips!!! Let's make this thing happen.

Remember, we DID think we were building an "Arena" back in the early 80s. And although it was a dramatic improvement from what we had, It just wasn't done right, and with enough foresight, in my opinion. From what I've been told by some pretty good sources lately, I'm more encouraged than I have been that this could possibly happen within 5 years. But again, I think it all comes down to whether the agreements between all of the people involved will work out. If the U ends up having to do something on their own, I still think that making improvements to JAR will win out over justifying the expenditure to entirely replace a facility that is only 25 years old.

[Akron1]

Why not renovate the Knight Center which still could be used for the limited conventions it gets and make it so it can accommodate Zips basketball and any other sport the city wants to try to bring in. The U already has a vested interest in the property and it is next to the Quaker Dorms on campus, not to mention it is downtown.

[Valpo Zip]

Let's go Akron; Let's go Zips!!! Let's make this thing happen.

Let's go Lebron...I hope he can spare a million or two for his beloved city.

[Dr Z]

So since Hunter and Tom are working together, does this mean Hunter is staying at Akron? I thought he was moving on to Houston. Has Tom convinced him to stay?

[g-mann17]

So since Hunter and Tom are working together, does this mean Hunter is staying at Akron? I thought he was moving on to Houston. Has Tom convinced him to stay?

Hunter said he was at least here until the end of the year, after that who knows. If it looks like he can pad his resume more here than at Houston, why wouldn't he stay. I know Wistrcill wanted to keep him here.

[Zip Watcher]

I hope he stays. Eventually, probably sooner rather than later, Hunter is an AD somewhere. Until then .. if we can have the combined experience & efforts of our #1 and #2 candidates, that's a great thing in my book. Hunter B) Go Zips!!

[akronad]

I have loved the idea of an arena in downtown for many years. My only question at this time, is how is the Don going to sell it to the citizens of Akron. He is already being strung in effigy everyday for administering the lay-offs,. Can you imagine the negative feedback from some when he lays this on the table? Regardless, I still am in favor of it and if FE is going to be the major sponsor(donor), that might ease the pain to some. Let's just it done.

[ZachTheZip]

I have loved the idea of an arena in downtown for many years. My only question at this time, is how is the Don going to sell it to the citizens of Akron. He is already being strung in effigy everyday for administering the lay-offs,. Can you imagine the negative feedback from some when he lays this on the table? Regardless, I still am in favor of it and if FE is going to be the major sponsor(donor), that might ease the pain to some. Let's just it done.

Hell sell it by pointing to everything that comparable arenas in nearby cities bring to those communities, something that Akron is sorely missing. We don't have real concerts downtown like Toledo or Dayton, or even Canton. Lock 3 is only good for three months out of the year. There is an attitude in Akron that if you want to be entertained you have to leave the city. An arena would begin to change that.

[tbozeglav]

I have loved the idea of an arena in downtown for many years. My only question at this time, is how is the Don going to sell it to the citizens of Akron. He is already being strung in effigy everyday for administering the lay-offs,. Can you imagine the negative feedback from some when he lays this on the table? Regardless, I still am in favor of it and if FE is going to be the major sponsor(donor), that might ease the pain to some. Let's just it done.

Hell sell it by pointing to everything that comparable arenas in nearby cities bring to those communities, something that Akron is sorely missing. We don't have real concerts downtown like Toledo or Dayton, or even Canton. Lock 3 is only good for three months out of the year. There is an attitude in Akron that if you want to be entertained you have to leave the city. An arena would begin to change that.

hit it on the head... If you live in Akron and want to see a big-name concert in this area, the closest venue is Blossom, and that's only open during the warmer months like Lock 3. During the winter months, they have to go all the way to Cleveland to either CSU or the Q to see a good concert. Throw into the mix a low-level pro team to compliment the Aeros and you have a good central location for cheap and enjoyable entertainment. I see the Arena happening relatively soon now. Before, I was hesitant to say that only because nothing had ever been mentioned from UA about an arena, but lately it seems there's a fire making all this smoke. Hopefully this arena will time itself perfectly with the improvement of the basketball team to where we'll be moving from a packed JAR to an even more packed arena... we can hope at least!

[UADavid]

I hope he stays. Eventually, probably sooner rather than later, Hunter is an AD somewhere. Until then .. if we can have the combined experience & efforts of our #1 and #2 candidates, that's a great thing in my book. Hunter B) Go Zips!!

No one actually said he was the second choice. They said it was a difficult decision. HY may have been at the bottom of the page. Everything he's charged with at UA is deficient. I won't feel any remorse if he leaves.

[Spin]

Just so the floor area is big enough for hockey.

[Dave in Green]

I'd say both the University and the city can benefit from the arena. And it gives students another reason to stick around in Akron on weekends if you can book concerts and other events at the facility. The project may be attainable if it's true that first energy steps up as a key sponsor. The question now is whether the city can really justify funding the project and also with the University trying to pay of the INFO how much cash can we really put down on this?

Well that is why I think there will be county help on this too.

Absolutely. The new facility to the west may be situated in downtown Toledo, but the official name is Lucas County Arena.

Why not renovate the Knight Center which still could be used for the limited conventions it gets and make it so it can accommodate Zips basketball and any other sport the city wants to try to bring in. The U already has a vested interest in the property and it is next to the Quaker Dorms on campus, not to mention it is downtown.

I'm not sure the Knight Center could be renovated on its current site to include a proper basketball/multi-purpose facility. But, as discussed in a previous thread, there is some open land next to the Knight Center that might make a good site for an all-new facility that could be connected to the Knight Center.Whatever is done must be done right, and not so compromised that it would be obsolete before all the debt is paid off. Somewhere between state-of-the-art, unlimited budget and painfully compromised, on-the-cheap is a sweet spot that the university, city and county need to carefully research and define.