A New Arena

[Spin]

II was more or less waiting for jake to pounce on that.

dammmm

[pat]

Have you been to Polsky? That's like claiming that the cornfielf outside Orrville is part of main campus, and the woods south of Medina is part of main campus. And downtown Lakewood is part of main campus.They don't pay the same tuition, the same facility fees, and no access to the facilities.

And ask Dr. P, the mayor and the ABJ and they will tell you that the campus is not downtown. Why else would they make the distinction between "a downtown arena" vs "an on-campus arena"? Just because the Polsky building and QS are owned by UA does not mean that all of downtown is part of the campus. While all poodles are dogs not all dogs are poodles.

[Zipmeister]

And ask Dr. P, the mayor and the ABJ and they will tell you that the campus is not downtown. Why else would they make the distinction between "a downtown arena" vs "an on-campus arena"? Just because the Polsky building and QS are owned by UA does not mean that all of downtown is part of the campus. While all poodles are dogs not all dogs are poodles.

Has anyone mentioned that we could also have dog shows in a multi-purpose facility?

[g-mann17]

As far as locations go, Buchtel Field is now officially out. The new women's tennis facility will be constructed, Phase I is 6 outdoor courts, Phase II will be indoor courts and training center.

I believe some funding is coming from UPA on this one.

[UAZipster0305]

As far as locations go, Buchtel Field is now officially out. The new women's tennis facility will be constructed, Phase I is 6 outdoor courts, Phase II will be indoor courts and training center.

I believe some funding is coming from UPA on this one.

Where did you get this information? Link? I'd love to see pictures and a map. On the original campus master plan, tennis facilities were supposed to be in the parking lot area behind the field house and across from the Greek village/row.

If there is that much of a commitment from the administration for tennis, would a men's team be reinstated after the facilities are built?

[Blue & Gold]

As far as locations go, Buchtel Field is now officially out. The new women's tennis facility will be constructed, Phase I is 6 outdoor courts, Phase II will be indoor courts and training center.

I believe some funding is coming from UPA on this one.

Nice. They deserve that.

But that probably means a new baseball field at the Buchtel Field location is a no-go?

Dominoes falling... does that mean Lee Jackson baseball field will remain and the arena will go across from Canal Park?

[GP1]

Has anyone mentioned that we could also have dog shows in a multi-purpose facility?

Of course I have. I've also mentioned we could build a dorm that is like a Transformer and it could transform from a dorm to a basketball arena, but nobody seemed to think that was a good idea. I figured since we have a never ending flow of money to build things, a transformer arena only made sense.

Maybe my Transformer idea wasn't expensive enough for the building process crowd. To make it more expensive and thus more attractive to the building process crowd, transforming from a dorm to a stadium would only be part of the features of the stadium. The stadium would also have feet that allowed it to walk from parking lot to parking lot picking up fans so they wouldn't have to walk far during the long winter months. It would also have a retractable dome that opened and the team could enter the arena via a hot air balloon. Again, just some ideas that seem to be as good as designing a stadium for dog shows and monster truck events. Just trying to do my part.

[g-mann17]

Where did you get this information? Link? I'd love to see pictures and a map. On the original campus master plan, tennis facilities were supposed to be in the parking lot area behind the field house and across from the Greek village/row.

If there is that much of a commitment from the administration for tennis, would a men's team be reinstated after the facilities are built?

Anyone can go find it by looking up Construction Bids at the Department of Purchasing section of UA's website.

The campus master plan is changing if you recall. Coleman Commons is still a street on the original master plan.

If they add men's scholarships they have to add the equivalent women's scholarships or remove the same number of men's from another sport. So I doubt it.

[g-mann17]

Nice. They deserve that.

But that probably means a new baseball field at the Buchtel Field location is a no-go?

Dominoes falling... does that mean Lee Jackson baseball field will remain and the arena will go across from Canal Park?

Well those dominoes fell, but there are other one's being placed. Thanks to $4.5 million dollar investment in Infocision Stadium, The Stiltzein (sp) Alumni offices and the Martin Center are being moved over to the Stadium. This frees up land and since neither have historical designation, you can probably say goodbye to both of them. Martin Center is near a deck and has plenty of land, but I don't know how well events would coordinate with events at the Chapel.

[BirdZip]

Students complain that the university doesn't do nearly enough to keep them engaged outside of the classroom, and they're right.

Ludicrous. This is more of the "gimme, gimme, gimme" thinking of today's younger generation. The University provides tons of opportunitites for "engagement". It's just never enough.

As to the argument that "If Wheeling can be successful, therefore Akron can," Wheeling is the main city in that area. It is the big fish in the pond. The closest big city is Pittsburgh. Wheeling doesn't have a Canton and a Cleveland "competing" with it. If a concert promoter wants to get the people from Steubenville, St. Clairsville, etc., it goes to Wheeling, not the other way around, and even in Wheeling there are no other (feasible) options for these activities. Columbus is also the big fish in their pond, etc.

As to whether expanding the arena for more than basketball is justifiable, you can't answer that without seeing the numbers. Probably somewhere in this long thread someone has mentioned what the cost difference to build the arena might be. Has anyone quantified the benefit? Figure out the net present value of all the hockey games, dog shows, ping pong tournaments, etc., and compare that to the increased capital cost to build the greater arena. If the benefits don't eclipse the cost, it's not justified. If the benefits are greater than the cost, then make the case. "I like hockey" isn't enough to justify a huge capital expense.

[pat]

As far as locations go, Buchtel Field is now officially out. The new women's tennis facility will be constructed, Phase I is 6 outdoor courts, Phase II will be indoor courts and training center.

I believe some funding is coming from UPA on this one.

Yes, that's been in the planning since 2007. The existing courts are being taken down to make more green space for Coleman Commons. Good move on the part of UA.

[pat]

Nice. They deserve that.

But that probably means a new baseball field at the Buchtel Field location is a no-go?

Dominoes falling... does that mean Lee Jackson baseball field will remain and the arena will go across from Canal Park?

UA owns a lot of land back there by Buchtel field and not just Buchtel field. A baseball field and more can go in that vicinity. Not to state that it will definitely happen but it has been discussed.

Also, I was told by a very reliable source that UA is going to renovate E.J. Thomas Hall. They will be tearing out all of the seats in the flying balcony and replacing them with standing platforms and will have all UA students attend shows in the flying balcony forcing them to stand during the entire concert. It's meant to give the hall that mosh pit quality.

[pat]

Ludicrous. This is more of the "gimme, gimme, gimme" thinking of today's younger generation.

Those darn whipper snappers

[pat]

Well those dominoes fell, but there are other one's being placed. Thanks to $4.5 million dollar investment in Infocision Stadium, The Stiltzein (sp) Alumni offices and the Martin Center are being moved over to the Stadium. This frees up land and since neither have historical designation, you can probably say goodbye to both of them. Martin Center is near a deck and has plenty of land, but I don't know how well events would coordinate with events at the Chapel.

I think we should take the Chapel by Eminent Domain!

[ditchrider1]

What about where Central Hower is currently....demo that and build arena there?

[Zipmeister]

Of course I have. I've also mentioned we could build a dorm that is like a Transformer and it could transform from a dorm to a basketball arena, but nobody seemed to think that was a good idea. I figured since we have a never ending flow of money to build things, a transformer arena only made sense.

Maybe my Transformer idea wasn't expensive enough for the building process crowd. To make it more expensive and thus more attractive to the building process crowd, transforming from a dorm to a stadium would only be part of the features of the stadium. The stadium would also have feet that allowed it to walk from parking lot to parking lot picking up fans so they wouldn't have to walk far during the long winter months. It would also have a retractable dome that opened and the team could enter the arena via a hot air balloon. Again, just some ideas that seem to be as good as designing a stadium for dog shows and monster truck events. Just trying to do my part.

Well I'm sorry I missed your previous post. I believe this may be the best idea you have ever had.

[pat]

Of course I have. I've also mentioned we could build a dorm that is like a Transformer and it could transform from a dorm to a basketball arena, but nobody seemed to think that was a good idea. I figured since we have a never ending flow of money to build things, a transformer arena only made sense.

Maybe my Transformer idea wasn't expensive enough for the building process crowd. To make it more expensive and thus more attractive to the building process crowd, transforming from a dorm to a stadium would only be part of the features of the stadium. The stadium would also have feet that allowed it to walk from parking lot to parking lot picking up fans so they wouldn't have to walk far during the long winter months. It would also have a retractable dome that opened and the team could enter the arena via a hot air balloon. Again, just some ideas that seem to be as good as designing a stadium for dog shows and monster truck events. Just trying to do my part.

A superb idea. They should do it just after takeng out Ritchie, Sisler Mcfawn and Gertrude Orr Hall. Ya know they are going to meet the wrecking ball very soon now.

[ZachTheZip]

Build it on the huge square of grass bounded by Perkins, Park street, Union, and Goodkirk. It's bizarre that there's such a large empty area in the middle of downtown.

[LZIp]

Build it on the huge square of grass bounded by Perkins, Park street, Union, and Goodkirk. It's bizarre that there's such a large empty area in the middle of downtown.

Less than ideal location, Imo.

[GP1]

Well I'm sorry I missed your previous post. I believe this may be the best idea you have ever had.

I have lots of Transformer ideas that never make it on to a website.

[ziptrumpet87]

Build it on the huge square of grass bounded by Perkins, Park street, Union, and Goodkirk. It's bizarre that there's such a large empty area in the middle of downtown.

I believe Grace Park has to remain as-is in-perpetuity. It was gifted to the city by Simon Perkins.

So you are saying Central Park in NYC is bizarre? An Battery Park in Charleston?... etc.

[ZachTheZip]

I believe Grace Park has to remain as-is in-perpetuity. It was gifted to the city by Simon Perkins.

So you are saying Central Park in NYC is bizarre? An Battery Park in Charleston?... etc.

Not Grace Park. The place I'm talking about is just an open field. It doesn't have a name. It's literally nothing.

It is the most accessible location you could ask for. It's closer to campus than downtown.

[LZIp]

Not Grace Park. The place I'm talking about is just an open field. It doesn't have a name. It's literally nothing.

It is the most accessible location you could ask for. It's closer to campus than downtown.

where are people going to park, or go to before and/or after the game?

[ziptrumpet87]

Not Grace Park. The place I'm talking about is just an open field. It doesn't have a name. It's literally nothing.

It is the most accessible location you could ask for. It's closer to campus than downtown.

The city bought out the old housing there for a "land bank". I think that was where a medical imaging machine company (can't recall the name) was going to build, but the economy probably killed that one.

[RowdyZip]

I believe that's all land that Akron City Hospital bought up for future use. Even if it was available, terrible location...no retail of any kind over there and that neighborhood behind the hospital is terrible. I lived there for a couple years while in school.

Edit: After a quick check of public records, it's all City owned. Still don't like the location.