Wolstein's Summit County Soccer Stadium

[Z-Pouch]

UA doesn't seem concerned about the possibility of trying to build two new stadiums in Summit county that are only miles apart with tax dollars involved. While they are seperate issues for the most part, will the public agree ? I think this may have more implications to UA's stadium - not to whether or it is built but what type and how nice of a facility. With a complex like this 10 miles down the road capable of handling some of the events that the UA/City of Akron may have wanted to attract, it may cut down on the use of our facility. Could it result in a scaled back stadium/facility for UA especially when people start to get concerned about any tax dollars ? Interested in everyone's thoughts and if people are behind this new soccer/football stadium in Macedonia ???? I can almost hear the solution about to come up that UA can play at the off campus Wolstein field Wolstein soccer stadium in Summit countyStadium article #2

[RowdyZip]

from someone that drives that damned road (SR 8) from akron to macedonia and back 10 times a week, I'd just like to say:Boy, more development and congestion sure sounds like a good idea for a road that i sit in stopped traffic on for about 10 hours every week.

[skip-zip]

I was wondering how long it was going to take for someone to bring this up.First of all, I want to ask anyone out there if they think that 20,000 people will ever attend a soccer game in Macedonia? I think this is clearly a situation where Wohlstein wants this ego-gratifying stadium, and is trying to sell it to us by pointing out the potential for other things to be built around it that will create jobs.NO, I do not believe that the taxpayers of Summit County will want Akron to build a new football stadium with any kind of public funds after this soccer stadium is built, if the soccer stadium does in fact get built first. The logical question is: Why can't the university build a 25,000 seat retractable-roof football stadium, and allow it to be used for soccer as well? I think the public will buy into that idea much better. If any of you are old enough to remember this, Bill Muse and Gerry Faust tried to engineer some sort of joint project with the city of Akron to build a multi-purpose indoor facility downtown in the mid-80's that could have football, soccer, AND host some of our larger basketball contests. And the project fell through due to lack of support.If this soccer stadium does get built first, I have a bad bad feeling that we'll be playing in the Rubber Bowl for quite a few more years.

[zip81]

This soccer stadium is such a stuipid idea. If you want to build a shopping center, then just build it without the stadium or tax dollars to put it up.The Wolsteins should get over this soccer thing they have.I can see this thing turning into another Coliseum.Bag the idea and put those tax dollars towards a stadium on campus.UA spokesman Rick Herold said in the paper that the U isn't concerned about this...he had to say that publicly because all the movers and shakers seem to be in favor of this dumb idea.Privately, I'll bet the people on the Hilltop are a little more concerned than they are letting on.Remember how the JAR was suppose to be a 12,000 theatre seat facility with raquet ball and hand ball courts? A little less $$ support from Columbus saddled us with this high school gym.Bag the soccer stadium.Not needed...Not wanted (except by those waiting to make the $$$ with taxpayer dollars).

[Balki Bartokomous]

I swear, if in 2 or 3 years I hear "well, we can't build a new stadium on campus because the tax payers said they already funded one stadium up the road, so we are just going to continue to replace the bleachers at the rubber bowl with wood planks bought from a Home Depot. The rubber bowl will last another 20 years. Don't worry"I am going to burn down the Wolstein soccer stadium myself. We had the number one soccer team in the nation last year, we didn't need a 20,000 seat mecca. Some shit-ass expansion soccer team sure as hell isn't going to need it. Screw them, and screw Wolstein.

[zipboy]

I thought that the UA stadium was not going to have any tax payer money, just donations, proceeds from the loges,etc, naming rights, and possibly student fees.

[ziptrumpet87]

I bet we could get Wolstein a better deal on some land near the Akron Fulton airport (aka the RB) That would be a much better use of funds IMHO.

[UAZipster0305]

I totally agree that this stadium on Route 8 for soccer is a stupid idea and I'm a huge fan of the MLS. Whoever said that this sounds like the Coleseum all over again, kudos, you've hit the nail on the head!I personally mentioned to Dr. Proenza in his office over two years ago that the University should work with the Wolstein group to put such a facility and an MLS team on campus to maximize resources. Imagine what this would do for our soccer programs, the money that can be put into the new stadium, and the events it can host (because of the potential roof). Hell, with a retractable roof we could have a bowl game in Akron...The Rubber Bowl, anyone? This facility could be designed to be flexible enough to be capable of hosting an MLS soccer team in the Spring and Summer, UA football in the Fall, and UA basketball in the Winter. The schedules work out so well and this makes so much sense! Also, imagine how much parking revenue (from extra MLS events) could be raised to pay off existing or fund future parking decks on campus.I understand that the Wolstein group and the MLS want an expansion team as far from Columbus as possible, but 10 miles isn't going to make a difference in attendance or fan base. I also understand that this issue comes down to ownership rights and control. The Wolstein group doesn't want to share and I'm sure the university feels the same way. However, without cooperation, neither party will achieve its full potential if both stadiums are even ever built!As a name for the new MLS team, what does everyone think about CAC United (where CAC would stand for Cleveland-Akron-Canton)? Akron is the geographic center of the fan base and thus, gets the stadium.

[UAZipster0305]

I should also mention that a joint venture on campus would be a great venue for NCAA basketball regionals (men's and women's), the NCAA soccer final fours (men's and women's), and the MLS Cup. Imagine how much revenue would be generated for the city and area businesses to host events like these!Again, this all makes too much sense and would be way too good to be true.

[ZipAlumn]

I thought that the UA stadium was not going to have any tax payer money, just donations, proceeds from the loges,etc, naming rights, and possibly student fees.

That was my understanding also ......... However I can see donations drying up should Wolstein's plan start to pick up steam. I really don't see how taxpayers in this area will have anything to say about a stadium on campus. If there is any taxpayer money involved it will have to come from Columbus, and that is a real stretch anyways. The main thing that concerns me about Wolstein's is that it might very well draw donations money from business that want to invest in a soccer stadium, mainly because it is a commercial venture and there might be some type of payback.

[zipsbandman]

A football stadium would give the area much more recognition than some soccer stadium for whatever. If the zips can build a program we can make some noise on the national stage. College football is way bigger than club soccer or whatever. This has to get done. We need to get out of the Rubber Bowl if we want to see our program take another step. Our rival schools have a huge recruiting advantage over us with better facilities on campus. I'm hoping the University is feeling a sense of urgency with this.

[zen]

lol, I can't believe we feel threatened by a soccer stadium.First off, macedonia is a great location for soccer stadium. Look at all the nearby suburbanite and yuppy cities, not to mention that Rt.8, I271, and I80 all intersect there.Secondly, it wont kick up traffic that much except during games.... Yes, I have seen the plans for a shopping center and other development, but they are actually planning (with ODOT) to remove the signaled intersections and make Rt.8 a through-way. Thirdly, Soccer does not in any way compete with football. People don't say, "gee, I'm too tapped out rooting for pro-soccer and 3 other pro-teams to worry about college football". If you are a fan, you're a fan.Fourth, the football stadium will get built with or without public funds. Fifth, not all public funding gets voted on. ;)Also, what was that thread someone posted about a private consortium that was raising lots of money for development, of which, the stadium seemed to be a large part of the plans?Oh yeah, it can't hurt the region if the localities and county makes some extra tax dollars from soccer. It could help the region in terms of growth as well as image. Both of which could end up benefiting the university in a tertiary way.

[skip-zip]

I love the comments. I really hope that everyone can come together for the most practical solution. This type of facility would open up SO many possibilties for this county. But, if Akron Football is not a part of the equation, its a HUGE waste of money.

[Buckzip]

Wasn't there a building built in Summit county back in the 70's that was supposed to be great for Cleveland sports? That is until they decided they wanted tax dollars in Cleveland.

[zip81]

lol, I can't believe we feel threatened by a soccer stadium.First off, macedonia is a great location for soccer stadium.  Look at all the nearby suburbanite and yuppy cities, not to mention that Rt.8, I271, and I80 all intersect there.Secondly, it wont kick up traffic that much except during games.... Yes, I have seen the plans for a shopping center and other development, but they are actually planning (with ODOT) to remove the signaled intersections and make Rt.8 a through-way.  Thirdly, Soccer does not in any way compete with football.  People don't say, "gee, I'm too tapped out rooting for pro-soccer and 3 other pro-teams to worry about college football".  If you are a fan, you're a fan.Fourth, the football stadium will get built with or without public funds.  Fifth, not all public funding gets voted on. ;)Also, what was that thread someone posted about a private consortium that was raising lots of money for development, of which, the stadium seemed to be a large part of the plans?Oh yeah, it can't hurt the region if the localities and county makes some extra tax dollars from soccer.  It could help the region in terms of growth as well as image.  Both of which could end up benefiting the university in a tertiary way.

Who's feeling threatened??It's a dumb idea.Look at how many professional soccer teams have come and gone since the Cleveland Force!What is going to happen to this thing when the new team folds...and you can bet that it will.Hey, we finally found a use for the Coliseum! And there's plenty of land around it for the shopping center and development...and right next to I-271 too! Oh, wait a minute, they tore that down...didn't they?If Wolstein wants to make a mistake with his own money...fine.But don't ask for my tax dollars from Columbus or in the form of a bogas cigarette tax.Look, soccer is a fine sport...the most popular in the world. But putting another pro soccer team in NE Ohio will go over about as well as another hockey team.Build the shopping center...bag the stadium.

[zip81]

Beacon Journal editorial says today this Wolstein stadium would take $7 million per year for 30 years in public money.You have got to be kidding me!In ten years we'll be paying $7 million per for an empty building after this new soccer franchise moves or folds.Bad...Bad idea!

[zen]

Hey, we finally found a use for the Coliseum! And there's plenty of land around it for the shopping center and development...and right next to I-271 too! Oh, wait a minute, they tore that down...didn't they?

cute, but wrong.I don't think you actually took the time to read and comprehend my post, and all the factors that contribute to a valid reason to build. I didn't say reasons, I said reason. All of those factors mean that it will be a success both for the builders, clients, and communities involved. If you think they are wrong, well, you must be smarter than them, but I have to ask, why should you care.Again, I say, you must feel threatened by it, and I can't figure out why.Now, your cute quote is silly if you read my post. There wasn't anything near where they old colleseum was build over 30 years ago, and there wasn't 25 years later, and now there is nothing but park. Macedonia is completely different. Been there, been growing, will be growing.

[zip81]

Hey, we finally found a use for the Coliseum!  And there's plenty of land around it for the shopping center and development...and right next to I-271 too!  Oh, wait a minute, they tore that down...didn't they?

cute, but wrong.I don't think you actually took the time to read and comprehend my post, and all the factors that contribute to a valid reason to build. I didn't say reasons, I said reason. All of those factors mean that it will be a success both for the builders, clients, and communities involved. If you think they are wrong, well, you must be smarter than them, but I have to ask, why should you care.Again, I say, you must feel threatened by it, and I can't figure out why.Now, your cute quote is silly if you read my post. There wasn't anything near where they old colleseum was build over 30 years ago, and there wasn't 25 years later, and now there is nothing but park. Macedonia is completely different. Been there, been growing, will be growing.

You're right..I did not study your post because the only part of my comments that involved you was the fact that I'm not threatened. I'm sorry, I just don't get that.The remainder of the post had nothing to do with your opinion.But I will answer your question, why should I care?Are you kidding me? $7 million per year for 30 years of public money and you are asking me why I care!Just answer me this:Do you feel that a new soccer franchise will be successful enough and last long enough to warrent this new stadium?If you say yes, then I am indeed smarter than those behind this project because history tells us different...over and over again.Let Wolstein use his money...not our's.

[zen]

I did not say that the soccer team will be successful in terms of following or attendence. That part I cannot predict, but I do hear they have market research which indicates that it will do better in that region than it will downtown. I don't know the specifics.Also, I do believe that the community members of the J.E.D.D. which were negotiating with Wolstein&development groups had as one of their bargaining points a requirement that they will get paid no matter what happens with the team.

[LosAngelesZipFan]

This is horrible-- and just stupid. It's the kind of short-sighted thinking that has hamstrung NEOhio. The idea that this soccer stadium could get built is just beyond comprehension. OF COURSE is it going to negatively impact UA's stadium. What a missed opportunity this is-- is there no leadership in Summit County? UA is one of the only real assets the area has-- why is no one clamoring to invest in it and its future. So stupid.

[zen]

This is horrible-- and just stupid. It's the kind of short-sighted thinking that has hamstrung NEOhio. The idea that this soccer stadium could get built is just beyond comprehension. OF COURSE is it going to negatively impact UA's stadium. What a missed opportunity this is-- is there no leadership in Summit County? UA is one of the only real assets the area has-- why is no one clamoring to invest in it and its future. So stupid.

It's human nature, of sorts, even though we are dealing more with the sociology of government and/or group decision making than it does psychology, it holds true. They will ALWAYS work harder to bring in a new resource (or keep it from leaving) than they will to plakate one that is 'stuck' here. It's why professional (privately owned) sports teams always get new stadiums, but universities and public parks remain relatively underfunded.Regardless, I just don't see how a soccer stadium hurts the University's plans to build an on-campus football stadium

[ZachTheZip]

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/16166946.htmhttp://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/16166932.htmWhich one do you agree with? They were both in the paper today, side by side. Anyone opposed to the stadium is encouraged to write to their website in the articles. It looks like the first article was "bought" by the Wolsteins, and the second article is the real view of the paper.

[zip81]

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/16166946.htmhttp://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/16166932.htmWhich one do you agree with?  They were both in the paper today, side by side.  Anyone opposed to the stadium is encouraged to write to their website in the articles.  It looks like the first article was "bought" by the Wolsteins, and the second article is the real view of the paper.

Bob Dyer hit the nail on the head with his commentary.A soccer team isn't going to draw bumkis so why waste $200 million, and a very big chunk of that taxpayers dollars, on a soccer stadium.Bob even listed the number of soccer teams that have come and gone and explored why no one will watch professional soccer.This is such a stupid idea, I can't even put it to words.But you can tell the bloodsuckers at the public trough want it. They spammed out the state of Ohio sending broadcast e-mails in support of this dumb idea, that the state had to put up a firewall to keep the spam from crashing their computers.The quicker this idea goes away, the better.Build a stadium where it is needed...on campus for the Zips!

[zen]

Build a stadium where it is needed...on campus for the Zips!

all emotion....and I understand the emotion, but I really don't think you are using your head except to figure out ways to rally around what your heart says. I too wouldn't want anything to hurt us from getting a stadium on campus, but I am not going to say irrational things that I have no basis for.We have a stadium. It sux, it's true, and it doesn't draw well, but we don't "NEED" one more than wolstien does. Pro-soccer will not succeed down town. It can succeed in suburbia. If you disagree with that, fine. But why would a reasonably intelligent developer risk his own money on what you are calling a sure-thing failure???[edit-add]just read the two articles. I am forced to ask, would the county pass a "cigarette-tax" for university football stadium. I highly doubt it would get funding that way. This seems like apples and oranges to me.

[ZachTheZip]

Pro-soccer will not succeed down town. It can succeed in suburbia. If you disagree with that, fine. But why would a reasonably intelligent developer risk his own money on what you are calling a sure-thing failure???

Wolstein is doind this because it gives him an excuse to build shopping centers and restarants around the stadium. Honestly, more comercialization is the LAST thing Macedonia needs at this time. Traffic is already a nightmare, and a stadium/shopping center would just make it worse. That is why I don't want a stadium, not because it has anything to do with UA.