Missed opportunity...

[xu9697]

I am very excited about the new stadium, hopefully ready in 2009. But I am disappointed that this is just another "singular thinking" plan in the scheme of NE Ohio (I am a Cleveland suburb guy, but I am a big-time believer in regionalism). What a shame that Wolstein cannot jump on this plan, and abandon his dome plan for soccer. He could add so much if he became a partner with the university. What I would love to see is a 30-35,000 seat retractable dome which can be used for football, soccer & basketball. Design it in a way that you can reduce basketball seating to 10-16,000 for regular Zips games, but also be able to have 30-35,000 for certain basketball events= NCAA regionals, maybe even a Cavaliers game or a "special" big-time game. This area & this state keep missing on what a dome could bring. A dome of that size would be unique and would have definite positives for the entire area. Bring an NCAA regional to Akron, and hotels in Akron AND Cleveland would benefit. With MAC headquarters in Cleveland, forget about Ford Field for the MAC football championship...the Wolstein Dome would be the perfect spot.Why would Wolstein do it? Perhaps he could work his soccer team into it, but he would be there for the development of the retail & living areas (and some big $$$ to go with it). I am excited that there will be a new stadium, and it is definitely an upgrade. But here is a another missed opportunity for a challenged area (NE Ohio).

[FMR]

What a shame that Wolstein cannot jump on this plan, and abandon his dome plan for soccer. He could add so much if he became a partner with the university.

When you have partners with different agendas that makes for poor bedfellows.

What I would love to see is a 30-35,000 seat retractable dome

Add another $50-60 million to the price tag and you've got a lid!

but he would be there for the development of the retail & living areas

See bedfellows.

[xu9697]

Wow, that is a totally negative perspective...but typically the perspective this area condones. Sure, there would be different interests..there always are. But if you properly divide who controls what, it can be done. How in the world would any part of a society work if there was not some agreement amongst differing parties?!?!

[timmyboy]

What I would love to see is a 30-35,000 seat retractable dome which can be used for football, soccer & basketball. Design it in a way that you can reduce basketball seating to 10-16,000 for regular Zips games, but also be able to have 30-35,000 for certain basketball events= NCAA regionals, maybe even a Cavaliers game or a "special" big-time game.

i am going to be happy with a new stadium....but a dome would be soooo nice, it doesnt even have to be retractable... just a dome. Then you could play football,soccer,basketball on top of having concerts in it, like they do up in cleveland.this stadium could be a huge attraction for not only U of A sports, but also sports in the community. The field doesnt have to be used for High School football games..... they can seel the bowl back to the city and have the city use that for their HS games, and also the state games.

[blueandgold]

What I would love to see is a 30-35,000 seat retractable dome which can be used for football, soccer & basketball.  Design it in a way that you can reduce basketball seating to 10-16,000 for regular Zips games, but also be able to have 30-35,000 for certain basketball events= NCAA regionals, maybe even a Cavaliers game or a "special" big-time game. 

I would be in favor of this myself. Not only could it be used for other sporting events outside of the university teams, it would also solve the problem of the outdated JAR and it's seating capacity that we are hoping to grow out of. What would cost more? xu9697's idea or building a completely separate basketball facility in addition to the current football stadium plan?

[akronad]

I'm all in favor of a domed facility. I think Cleveland missed the boat big time when they built the new Cleveland Stadium domeless.As far as the city or the Akron schools buying back the RB, you can forget about that idea. The money that would be need to fix and maintain the RB is well into the millions, which neither the City or the schools have.My guess is the it will be sold to City, but will be torn down and the land used to promote the airport area or Derby Downs.

[ZachTheZip]

My guess is the it will be sold to City, but will be torn down and the land used to promote the airport area or Derby Downs.

The problem with tearing down the RB is that it is the only thing holding up the hill for the Derby Downs. In fact, the reason the Soapbox Derby was moved there was because the hill was created when they moved all the dirt over when they were excavating the hole where the RB was going to be built. Its kind of stuck there, and nobody knows what to do with it. The thing is, in a few years the University can say "Not our problem! " to the city when it really begins to crumble.

[FMR]

But if you properly divide who controls what, it can be done.

AND

Not only could it be used for other sporting events outside of the university teams, it would also solve the problem of the outdated JAR and it's seating capacity that we are hoping to grow out of. What would cost more? xu9697's idea or building a completely separate basketball facility in addition to the current football stadium plan?

AND

Wow, that is a totally negative perspective...

EQUALSFootball, Men's soccer, women's soccer, basketball (hey, let's throw tennis in also) and professional soccer... Oh, is this where Wolstein is going to have his team practice or just play? I would think if I made a financial investment I would want to have a say in when my team would get to use the facility (as would JD, Keith, Caleb and Catherine). Oh, are we going to provide locker space for Wolstein? Will he need a team clubhouse? Will their logo go above or below Zippy?It's not negative. Do you want to really share a venue with a professional team? Sounds good in this chat area, but the reality is a big scheduling headache when you do not have full control.Ah, the retail space. Do we split the profits? Why would we do that if we own the land? We build a stadium and lease it out to Wolstein to play his games. At least that would provide some revenue and maybe help keep ticket prices down.

[blueandgold]

Not only could it be used for other sporting events outside of the university teams, it would also solve the problem of the outdated JAR and it's seating capacity that we are hoping to grow out of. What would cost more? xu9697's idea or building a completely separate basketball facility in addition to the current football stadium plan?

Football, Men's soccer, women's soccer, basketball (hey, let's throw tennis in also) and professional soccer... Oh, is this where Wolstein is going to have his team practice or just play? I would think if I made a financial investment I would want to have a say in when my team would get to use the facility (as would JD, Keith, Caleb and Catherine). Oh, are we going to provide locker space for Wolstein? Will he need a team clubhouse? Will their logo go above or below Zippy?It's not negative. Do you want to really share a venue with a professional team? Sounds good in this chat area, but the reality is a big scheduling headache when you do not have full control.Ah, the retail space. Do we split the profits? Why would we do that if we own the land? We build a stadium and lease it out to Wolstein to play his games. At least that would provide some revenue and maybe help keep ticket prices down.

My comments were not endorsing the idea of Wolstein being involved, only of making the facility domed and multi-functional.

[zip81]

I saw us play N. Iowa in football in the UNIDome...a multi-purpose facility.It sucked big-time.Dome is moot anyway.

[xu9697]

FMR...I don't disagree with you about the soccer thing. That is why I put PERHAPS and did not key into what I was stating. IT is not impossible to do, but it would involve a much more involved agreement.Cleveland State is entering into a similar partnership for "University housing"= developer builds it and most likely reaps the monetary benefits. But the university reaps the benefit of more kids on campus, more of a campus-feel, etc. You act like it has never been done...it has been done and COULD HAVE been done again. At this point, it really doesn't matter b/c we know what we are getting= a definite improvement, but another missed opportunity in NE Ohio.

[zipsbandman]

I say build a dome for football and basketball. That way ten to fifteen years later we won't be begging for a new arena. Use the JAR for volleyball, high school games and stuff.

[scottz06]

Dome is moot anyway. I live in a city where they demolish perfectly good stadiums and build new ones at the taxpayers expense. Arthur Blanc, Home Depot founder and Atlanta Falcons owner wants to tear down the Georgia Dome and build a new stadium for his team. I say tear it down piece by piece and truck it up to Akron. The savings on building material would have to be in the 100's of millions. Wouldn't this look nice on Campus!http://football.ballparks.com/NFL/AtlantaF...es/pictures.htm

[blueandgold]

I saw us play N. Iowa in football in the UNIDome...a multi-purpose facility.It sucked big-time.

Many do suck. I've been to the Carrier Dome in Syracuse and that did not suck. And zipsbandman... I agree, but people will be asking for a new arena for basketball in less than 10-15 years. I hear it already. lol

[FMR]

You act like it has never been done...it has been done and COULD HAVE been done again. At this point, it really doesn't matter b/c we know what we are getting= a definite improvement, but another missed opportunity in NE Ohio.

xu9697 - it has been done before and I have witnessed it (in more than one city). It is a logistical nightmare as I stated. The only missed opportunity is that I did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night!

[xu9697]

You act like it has never been done...it has been done and COULD HAVE been done again. At this point, it really doesn't matter b/c we know what we are getting= a definite improvement, but another missed opportunity in NE Ohio.

xu9697 - it has been done before and I have witnessed it (in more than one city). It is a logistical nightmare as I stated. The only missed opportunity is that I did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night!

I will state that it can be done, and has been done successfully. I guess we will agree to disagree, but we can still all enjoy the new stadium in 2009 (hopefully with a Holiday Inn Express to stay at)!

[mcperp]

Ugh, a dome is best left to the 1980's and early 90's. A retractable dome would be great but way too expensive. Anyone who's ever watched a game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, or the anti-septic Georgia Dome can tell you that the "feel" of the game is definitely not the same. Without a major donor, it's hard to imagine a new hoops arena so close to the heels of a new football stadium. If nothing else, I'd like to at least see the JAR seating reconfigured to more of a fieldhouse and less of a box.

[Z.I.P.]

I live in a city where they demolish perfectly good stadiums and build new ones at the taxpayers expense. Arthur Blanc, Home Depot founder and Atlanta Falcons owner wants to tear down the Georgia Dome and build a new stadium for his team. I say tear it down piece by piece and truck it up to Akron. The savings on building material would have to be in the 100's of millions.

Tear it down piece by piece and truck it up to Akron? Can we take Mike Vick that way too?

[Z.I.P.]

I am very excited about the new stadium, hopefully ready in 2009.  But I am disappointed that this is just another "singular thinking" plan in the scheme of NE Ohio (I am a Cleveland suburb guy, but I am a big-time believer in regionalism).  What a shame that Wolstein cannot jump on this plan, and abandon his dome plan for soccer.  He could add so much if he became a partner with the university.  What I would love to see is a 30-35,000 seat retractable dome which can be used for football, soccer & basketball.  Design it in a way that you can reduce basketball seating to 10-16,000 for regular Zips games, but also be able to have 30-35,000 for certain basketball events= NCAA regionals, maybe even a Cavaliers game or a "special" big-time game.  This area & this state keep missing on what a dome could bring.  A dome of that size would be unique and would have definite positives for the entire area.  Bring an NCAA regional to Akron, and hotels in Akron AND Cleveland would benefit.  With MAC headquarters in Cleveland, forget about Ford Field for the MAC football championship...the Wolstein Dome would be the perfect spot.Why would Wolstein do it?  Perhaps he could work his soccer team into it, but he would be there for the development of the retail & living areas (and some big $$$ to go with it).  I am excited that there will be a new stadium, and it is definitely an upgrade.  But here is a another missed opportunity for a challenged area (NE Ohio).

Okay. On a serious track now. As much as I hesitate to jump on this thread -- or rethread -- because it generates so much emotion, just let me tell all those who have wondered: Yes, there have been, and I suspect continue to be very serious high level discussions --though short of what might be called negotiations between UA athletic and administrative officials and officials of the Wolstein Athletic Group (please remember Bart Wolstein passed away in early 2005) about how the potential MLS expansion franchise and the university could work together for common goals. Akron's former AD had very strong ties to soccer's national governing body, through his relationship at UVa to US National Coach Bruce Arena, among others. First off, the biggest reason that a common playing facility has not been considered possible -- and this is both experience and speculation -- is Major League Soccer's past insistence that all league members -- and particularly new franchises -- have total control over facility scheduling, and control extra revenues including parking and vendors. The new MLS franchise granted to San Jose -- which will share their newly built stadium with San Jose State throws the sabot into the gears of all this theory however.I honestly don't know what the status of talks are, and whether the idea is completely dead. However, due to the legislature's decision not to deck the cigarette tax for this year, it is not on the front burner, as it was a year or two ago.While I'm on the subject of new facilities: just before the AD turnover occurred, there were plans to announce both the new stadium plans, and the announcement at the same time of a major redevelopment scheme for the JAR Arena and offices. The entire plan went awry with the change in administrations. Too bad there seems to be no intersection of staff who could maintain continuity. Too bad indeed!

[GoZips88]

While I'm on the subject of new facilities: just before the AD turnover occurred, there were plans to announce both the new stadium plans, and the announcement at the same time of a major redevelopment scheme for the JAR Arena and offices. The entire plan went awry with the change in administrations. Too bad there seems to be no intersection of staff who could maintain continuity. Too bad indeed!

Has Mack been thinking on an even larger scale for both the stadium (a year longer to announce) and the JAR/offices (< insert cricket sounds >), are they still getting their arms around the state of U of A athletics and trying to figure out what to do, or did we take 5 steps backwards by choosing the wrong AD? Maybe it's just me or that we're just not hearing a whole lot of of the AD's office but it just doesn't seem to me that our leadership is as strong as it was when Mike Thomas was here.

[zipsfan38]

A multi-purpose domed facility is not good for most of the sports who play there and is really not good for the fans who watch the games. Look at the Astrodome in Houston. . . nobody liked playing there. Plus to the price tag would be too high. Instead of adding $50-$60 million to the price tag try adding over $130 million. Not a good investment for anyone involved. Unless the Browns are going to move to Akron too.We can all agree the JAR and Rubber Bowl are horrible facilities to watch a game in. let's fix the problem one at a time instead of making the same mistakes that were made on the JAR.

[Blue & Gold]

I say build a dome for football and basketball. That way ten to fifteen years later we won't be begging for a new arena. Use the JAR for volleyball, high school games and stuff.

No offense at all, but I sincerely hope that as soon as the honeymoon period wears off from our new football stadium (3 years?), we immediately get back to business and begin plans for a new basketball arena. We desperately need both. One quality facility at a time. Besides, with a new football stadium, if our football team doesn't start turning a profit, which it probably will, at the very least it should break about even. So the new football stadium should free up and generate $$$ for a new basketball arena.As an aside, I still say we switch over to Nike asap and get LeBron (who has absolutely remained genuine and stayed loyal to his hometown) to get Nike to help build the Nike/LeBron Akron Arena. A larger-than-life LeBron statue outside the main entrance would be more than fitting!

[RowdyZip]

not to be a party pooper....but I dont really think the JAR is THAT bad. Honestly, with some reconfiguring of the seats and maybe a some more seats added, that building would be everything we need. Sure, maybe a remodel of the entry would be nice too. I'm eternally the optimist, but the talk of us "needing" a new building is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY to early. Look what EMU did...they capitalized on a couple years of success in the 90s to build that BEAUTIFUL 9,000 seat arena that never draws more than 1000 spectators. You cant tell me that we're not consistently selling out the JAR simply because of the fact that it's a "bad place to watch a game." The fact of the matter is the community has yet to fully embrace this team, as good as they are. When that does happen, and I do believe it will, and the Zips become the hot ticket in town consistently playing to capacity crowds, THEN we can start thinking about "upgrading." If the MAC tournament and championship told me anything, we will likely NEVER need an arena any larger than about 8,000 seats. Rant: OVER.

[LosAngelesZipFan]

The JAR sucks. I haven't been there since probably 1992ish but can't imagine that any changes to it have really made it more than a multi-purpose gym with almost no charm. It opened just before I got to UA and it seems like that project is a case in how NOT to build something. I hope to God that the new stadium is in keeping with the "landscape for learning" and field house and not a return to the aim low, mediocre is just fine days of old.

[scottditzen]

I hope to God that the new stadium is in keeping with the "landscape for learning" and field house and not a return to the aim low, mediocre is just fine days of old.

Well said!!! But as for the JAR, even with it's horrible design, the one good thing I'll say is that it has looked photogenic on Fox Sports and ESPN 2 - a fact that has really suprised me. By the way, it was very nice watching the Zips from those cushy, comfortable seats at the Q.