New Arena Rumor

[Hilltopper]

Someone in the know told me that UA and the City of Akron are in discussions about renovating the Knight Center into a real arena. Aren't the University and the city are already partners in this project? Most of the infrastructure and other items needed(Parking) are already there. Is this just another crazy rumor or could an arena at that location make sense?http://www.johnsknightcenter.org/pdfs/uppe...0capacities.pdfhttp://www.johnsknightcenter.org/DefaultJSK.aspxhttp://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source...=12&iwloc=A

[skip-zip]

I think this would have been a great idea when they built it. A combined arena/convention center. I don't think that building is even high enough to be an arena. Wouldn't they have to pretty much rebuild it?

[Zip Watcher]

Appearance by Jake in 5 ... 4 .. 3 ....

[zen]

Okay, when you say rennovation, I think of mostly superficial and non-structural demolition. The construction, of course, can be significant. While it's been quite a while since I was down there, I am having a hard time imagining how it could be turned into an arena without it becoming a predominantly full scale demolition and construction project. In other words, not much unlike a new project. I guess the benefit would be to replace John S Knight with something newer in a dual purpose project.

[zipsbandman]

Really? Looks like all they would end up with is a glorified JAR. Might as well renovate the JAR and get the place to ourselves.

[Buckzip]

Really? Looks like all they would end up with is a glorified JAR. Might as well renovate the JAR and get the place to ourselves.

I agree. Bad idea to share. Especially if it isn't much better than the JAR.

[Dr Z]

Appearance by Jake in 5 ... 4 .. 3 ....

I'll never see it.

[UA Fan]

Appearance by Jake in 5 ... 4 .. 3 ....

He should be very pleased with this rumor since the Knight Center is "virtually" "on campus".

[RowdyZip]

I just don't see any way this happens in the next 3-5 years. There would be an utter revolt in the city, unless it were paid 99% through the U & federal money. Even then bitter residents will whine.

[Dave in Green]

Renovating implies restoring to an earlier condition, so that doesn't really fit here. Expanding the Knight Center to include a new arena is more likely. You can clearly see from the satellite view that there is a lot of land around the Knight Center currently used only for surface parking. As discussed in a previous thread, using some of this surface parking area to build a new arena that is tied into the Knight Center makes a lot of sense. They could share parking deck infrastructure, etc., and an attached arena would make the Knight Center a more attractive location for events that it can't currently handle due to size limitations. Done properly, this could be a win-win-win situation for UA, the City of Akron and Summit County.

[tbozeglav]

Appearance by Jake in 5 ... 4 .. 3 ....

He should be very pleased with this rumor since the Knight Center is "virtually" "on campus".

but what about campus boundaries!!!!

[zen]

Renovating implies restoring to an earlier condition....

I think that's "restoration", but in a way, you and I were making similar points.Let's not call the project a renovation. It would obviously be bigger than that.

[ZachTheZip]

The parking area ext to the facility is no bigger than the footprint that the JAR takes up right now. Of course, the JAR could have held much more than the 8,000 it originally held (when it was all bleachers) if it was designed properly.

[skip-zip]

If an arena can truly be ADDED to the Knight complex, it's not such a bad idea. In fact, maybe the best downtown-area idea I've heard so far. But, I'd still rather have it on campus, and be OUR arena, if that can possibly be done.

[Dave in Green]

Restoration implies returning something to its original condition. Renovation is similar, but implies returning something to similar or perhaps slightly improved condition. I think we all agree that neither of those words fits what would be necessary to turn the Knight Center complex into a viable arena.It's true that the areas around the Knight Center that might serve as a site for a new arena are not significantly larger than the footprint of the JAR. But think in terms of the entire footprint of the JAR being used exclusively as an arena with no classrooms, etc. Imagine seating pulled in closer to the court but with steeper angles that would extend above the current JAR ceiling. You could fit a lot of people in an optimized structure with a footprint no bigger than the JAR, but perhaps a little taller. Some supporting services for the new arena could be accomodated in the Knight Center to which it would be attached. The new arena would function as a single unit along with the Knight Center.

[akronad]

If this rumor holds water, then the configuration could be similar to Rupp Arena & the Lexington Convention Center.

[Blue & Gold]

The entire north end of the JS Knight Convo Center looks as if it is pre-designed for future expansion. The north end of the structure is rather "bare" looking; basically just a bunch of large garage doors and a huge surface parking lot sandwiched in between the Akron Art Museum.It looks plenty big enough for an 8,000-10,000 seat arena.I, like most others, don't see how a simple "renovation" of the JSK Center would work. It must be an addition. If this is the case, like with the basketball team, I put my trust in KD. If KD doesn't think the concept will be enough to "wow" recruits, then I'd be really surprised if the university goes along with the plans.If the arena is good enough for KD's expectations, it'll be good enough for mine.I do remember a few years ago we played @ Creighton (in the NIT, I believe?). Creighton's basketball arena is also part of a convention center. KD was very impressed by it. I remember after the Creighton game (a loss) KD told Frenchy something to the effect, "Look at this place. This is what we have to recruit against..."

[2Ball]

I would love to see a new 8,000 seat arena as much as anyone. But the University/Athletic Department needs to take care of the one program that wins and plays top notch programs. Raise $6million and build a top notch soccer stadium first which will then keep coach Porter here at Akron. Coach said monday on Zips Live that he was promised new facilities when he was hired four years ago. Time may be running out.

[Spin]

Not to mention the program that consistently turns fans away because all the tickets have been sold.

[g-mann17]

I would love to see a new 8,000 seat arena as much as anyone. But the University/Athletic Department needs to take care of the one program that wins and plays top notch programs. Raise $6million and build a top notch soccer stadium first which will then keep coach Porter here at Akron. Coach said monday on Zips Live that he was promised new facilities when he was hired four years ago. Time may be running out.

Read some other threads.They are starting on replacing the pitch and lighting and some of the embankments this year. After next season they will do the grandstands. So they are helping soccer. And if you paid attention you would know that the soccer facilities have been renovated several times since the 80's. Is it what they deserve? No, but they have been pumping money into that pitch.

[ZippyforPresident]

I would love to see a new 8,000 seat arena as much as anyone. But the University/Athletic Department needs to take care of the one program that wins and plays top notch programs. Raise $6million and build a top notch soccer stadium first which will then keep coach Porter here at Akron. Coach said monday on Zips Live that he was promised new facilities when he was hired four years ago. Time may be running out.

The basketball team doesn't do this? Basketball and Soccer

[jaycevs]

The combined idea of convention and arena is one done before, and it could be beneficial to Akron and the University. The Cobo center in Detroit is another example, which hosted or hosts the North American Auto Show or whatever, and has an 11000 seat arena. Is it as visible and attractive as an arena on Main Street by Canal Park, no, but I guess we could deal with that, especially since our football program dominates the views of Akron from 8 and 76/77.

[Spin]

Read some other threads.They are starting on replacing the pitch and lighting and some of the embankments this year. After next season they will do the grandstands. So they are helping soccer. And if you paid attention you would know that the soccer facilities have been renovated several times since the 80's. Is it what they deserve? No, but they have been pumping money into that pitch.

NOT ENOUGH. Not when you turn away fans, make fans (and students) pay money to sit on the frozen ground or stand for 2 1/2 hours.With a halfway decent facility, soccer could be another revenue generating sport, benefitting ALL programs. When's the last time the basketball team brought in nationally ranked teams in the non-con, and sold the place out?The soccer program hosts HOSTS conference tournaments and early rounds of the NCAA tournament and that sorry excuse for a high school soccer stadium is inadequate.We need to sell tickets right up to game time, and give those people a place to sit. We need to have lighting that will allow games to be on TV. You have a chance of building something BIG in northeast Ohio, and this crap of slapping more lipstick on the pig, while catering to the traditional revenue sports is going to bite the U in the ass.

[akronzips71]

Read some other threads.They are starting on replacing the pitch and lighting and some of the embankments this year. After next season they will do the grandstands. So they are helping soccer. And if you paid attention you would know that the soccer facilities have been renovated several times since the 80's. Is it what they deserve? No, but they have been pumping money into that pitch.

NOT ENOUGH. Not when you turn away fans, make fans (and students) pay money to sit on the frozen ground or stand for 2 1/2 hours.With a halfway decent facility, soccer could be another revenue generating sport, benefitting ALL programs. When's the last time the basketball team brought in nationally ranked teams in the non-con, and sold the place out?The soccer program hosts HOSTS conference tournaments and early rounds of the NCAA tournament and that sorry excuse for a high school soccer stadium is inadequate.We need to sell tickets right up to game time, and give those people a place to sit. We need to have lighting that will allow games to be on TV. You have a chance of building something BIG in northeast Ohio, and this crap of slapping more lipstick on the pig, while catering to the traditional revenue sports is going to bite the U in the ass.

As good as we are and have been at Soccer, it is NOT a sport with a national following. It adds little to the prestige of the school.Football and BBall are THE college sports. AND, the BBall team has been going to the post season, so there is hope for a national program.I say put the money into basketball. Last year they were on national TV a few times, and do add to our prestige.

[RootforRoo44]

Read some other threads.They are starting on replacing the pitch and lighting and some of the embankments this year. After next season they will do the grandstands. So they are helping soccer. And if you paid attention you would know that the soccer facilities have been renovated several times since the 80's. Is it what they deserve? No, but they have been pumping money into that pitch.

NOT ENOUGH. Not when you turn away fans, make fans (and students) pay money to sit on the frozen ground or stand for 2 1/2 hours.With a halfway decent facility, soccer could be another revenue generating sport, benefitting ALL programs. When's the last time the basketball team brought in nationally ranked teams in the non-con, and sold the place out?The soccer program hosts HOSTS conference tournaments and early rounds of the NCAA tournament and that sorry excuse for a high school soccer stadium is inadequate.We need to sell tickets right up to game time, and give those people a place to sit. We need to have lighting that will allow games to be on TV. You have a chance of building something BIG in northeast Ohio, and this crap of slapping more lipstick on the pig, while catering to the traditional revenue sports is going to bite the U in the ass.

As good as we are and have been at Soccer, it is NOT a sport with a national following. It adds little to the prestige of the school.Football and BBall are THE college sports. AND, the BBall team has been going to the post season, so there is hope for a national program.I say put the money into basketball. Last year they were on national TV a few times, and do add to our prestige.

I agree...the basketball team in the ncaa tournament got ten times the exposure the soccer team got in the national championship. It's too bad but it's just the truth, Basketball and Football are important and we need to continue to focus on them first and foremost. Now soccer can be a solid #3 and i think that's what the U is planning on doing.