Carrier Dome

[Stern]

The Washington Nationals play 10 blocks from our capitol, have 2 of the top players in the game, have drawn 5 million people in the last two seasons and have been unable to sell naming rights to their park.

But they don't have Billy "HUGE" Fuccilo waiting in the wings!! We do!

 

[Stern]

2 simple fixes that are cheap (in the big picture) and will keep the Dome going for another 30 years.

1) The Dome (on the outside) shouldn't be gray and have that concrete look. Put on some "fake brick" or something and make it look a million times better. Sounds silly but if they did it the place would look brand spankin new from the outside.

2) Keep the benches inside the Dome for seating just replace them with ORANGE benches! Keeps your capacity the same, the orange is better than silver when nobody is there, and plus its been over 30 years...time to just replace the benches after the wear and tear of 30 years.

From a straight "visual" perspective...that's really all that needs to be done in my opinion. I wouldn't mess with the place that much I don't think it needs it. Just spruce it up a bit with some things here and there.

 

[rocklloyd]

One thing I do know is that we should be harvesting roof panels from metro dome before it's knocked down. Rent a storage unit and save them for a rainy day.

 

[sutomcat]

I also failed to read where is says the roof alone cost $560 million dollars. Doesn't that article right in the headline state "ALL THE TRIMMINS".

It has an additional upper retractable roof that masks the upper bowl when soccer is played there along with all of the below including a complete new façade and a ridiculous lighting package inside and out for the Olympic ceremonies. Completely new doors included.

The $560-million in renovations include a retractable roof which can be opened or closed in 20 minutes. There also is a huge centre-hung video board with two HD screens that are the equivalent to 450, 42-inch flat-screen TVs.
Throughout the building there are 800 Wi-Fi points and 1,150 digital screens. There are new, wider seats; improved acoustics; modern turf; and enhanced concession and bathroom facilities.
Gone is the huge air-supported roof that looked like a dirty marshmallow on the Vancouver skyline. It has been replaced by 36 roof support masts that look like a crown.
The drab concrete building now sparkles with clear glazing. Antiquated revolving doors have given way to grand entrances. The once cold, dark interior is now flooded with natural light.

The fabric roof the air supported domes use has a limited life span...about 20 years. When they get replaced, it isn't a cheap thing. The first replacement, which was done in 1999, cost about $14 million. That number will of course only go up in the future.

When it was close to the time to replace the original roof circa 1997-98, SU looked very seriously at replacing it with a fixed roof. The cost was prohibitively expensive and SU decided to stick with the air supported technology.

Pictures of BC Place featuring it's new roof:

 

[OburgOrange]

Obviously it will have to be multiple sources. Creative financing, naming rights, large donors, small donors, govt money, etc. and before you say no way, the most important part almost happened about 5 years ago with a very large donation. It can and will happen eventually. The only caveat is with a new chancellor he may have other ideas.

Did the "large donation" fall through or was it designated for other purposes? How large?

 

[xc84]

Is this the exact roof I am suggesting to put on the dome, No but it can be done as a retrofit and can most likely be done cheaper than this. My original point was to not Poo Poo the idea and that it could be done. Also, the BC Place arena is 4 Hectares just like the Metrodome. The Dome is only 2.7 and we don't need 2 retractable sections like BC place to hide an upper bowl with another roof and retractable curtains and I believe in the article it states that the video boards are included in the cost of the roof. It can be done for much less cost. Covering a 4 Hectare area with a retractable roof I would guess cost exponentially more than a building 2/3 the size and architecturally would be much easier. Kind of like adding an additional 10 -15 ft of height on the IPF would double the cost just so we can punt in there which is not necessary.

They also spared no expense and built it green because the world was watching so I am sure it cost more than it could have especially using public money.

Me personally, I don't think they tear the Dome down for another 30 years so I am guessing that this is the way that they will go eventually. Just a much more inexpensive solution/design. On top of the fact that it is an outdated design that has been looked at by architects that have said it is not safe and there are better ways to do it in the article I posted farther above on the Metrodome.

Lots of words to avoid admitting you are wrong. The trusses alone would cost $125 -$150M to construct. Your estimate of $35-$40M is laughable. Your own examples proved how wrong you are.

 

[CousCuse]

Nobody liked the idea of a multi-level centralized tailgating area on the west end of the dome. An architect could design all kinds of interesting details, like a bandstand/amphitheater, giant flag poles etc. It would be a focus of activity on gamedays and can be seen from 81.

 

[KaiserUEO]

were they handing out crack at the pee-troughs on saturday??

retractble roofs
solid roofs
a fancy brick-job outside it (seriously what?? i had to read that one 10x)
do what the canucks do
move a few lectures to south campus
orange benches?? (again, what?? how does this help the location problem??)
a brand spankin new one will cost pocket change
billy fuccilo will pay for it (ahh no, the people who pay for things like this hire billy to get them coffee)

damn, the last time i did drugs at the Dome was '94 for Pink Floyd...i need to get back into the swing of things...

 

[HarrisonJBounel]

were they handing out crack at the pee-troughs on saturday??

retractble roofs
solid roofs
a fancy brick-job outside it (seriously what?? i had to read that one 10x)
do what the canucks do
move a few lectures to south campus
orange benches?? (again, what?? how does this help the location problem??)
a brand spankin new one will cost pocket change
billy fuccilo will pay for it (ahh no, the people who pay for things like this hire billy to get them coffee)

damn, the last time i did drugs at the Dome was '94 for Pink Floyd...i need to get back into the swing of things...

Yeah, I think the people who suggest these types of things haven't been around much. There's a lot of money among the super-rich (good line about Billy Fuccillo, btw, I LOL'd at that one), but they don't live around CNY - no reason to. SU has done well with what they have because they have on balance been smart with their money and their investments in projects. With the ACC affiliation, SU should have increased revenue over the years that should allow for some decent incremental upgrades, but nothing approaching the folly of installing a retractable roof, or blowing out the external walls so we can have comfortable beer lines in the hallway. Good grief.

 

[rrlbees]

More to it than that but certainly contributing factors.

For which of those companies he listed?

 

[orangechef]

Here is the skinny on the Carrier Dome Period! We do not have the best atmosphere in college football, and this is totally a result of our Northern, liberal, soccer mom culture. When we are winning, and times are good, the atmosphere is pretty good, never gonna be like Auburn or Ole Miss, but pretty good. That being said, the building itself provides one of the very best venues in college football to watch a football game. I have been in many pro and college stadiums, the sight lines get no better, the worst "nose bleed" seat would be an expensive top level seat in most buildings. In the Northeast, Syracuse in particular, the weather combined with the fair weather, no pun intended, fans, absolutely calls for a domed stadium. Unless the game is absolutely monumental, and, we are highly ranked, these aforementioned fans will not sit outside in the cold, wet and snow to watch a football game. If you think we have attendance problems now, they get much worse in an open air stadium 99% of the time. Retractable roof is totally not cost effective, not gonna happen without Phil Knight switching teams! The Dome is always warm and dry. If you think too warm or too cold at times REALLY! It gets a lot warmer in the sun down south for SEC football, and a lot colder everywhere else outside. Whining about the lack of air conditioning in the dome is ridiculous! Take a look around college football at the seating at most college football stadiums, even the big boys, chock full of bench seating everywhere and does not dissuade their fans from showing up. Go to pro stadiums with individual seating, Miami and Pitt, good teams with history, can not even get close to filling their stadiums, they have attendance issues even though they have all the bells and whistles in their stadium. the only thing that fixes this is consistent winning. I at least, feel very fortunate to have the ability to witness D1 BCS ACC football in the iconic building that is The Carrier Dome. Cheap great seats, compare to almost all, if not all BCS level programs, affordable beer and food prices, and if you disagree with this, you have rarely left the confines of your basement or livingroom and ventured out into the rest of stadium reality around the country, if you had, you would be grateful for a 6$ beer and 3$ Hoffman dog. Try 9-11 $ at many stadiums for a beer, that is if you can even purchase one!! The Carrier Dome is better than ever right now, and ideal for the Central New York football fan!!

 

[Marsh01]

Here is the skinny on the Carrier Dome Period! We do not have the best atmosphere in college football, and this is totally a result of our Northern, liberal, soccer mom culture. When we are winning, and times are good, the atmosphere is pretty good, never gonna be like Auburn or Ole Miss, but pretty good. That being said, the building itself provides one of the very best venues in college football to watch a football game. I have been in many pro and college stadiums, the sight lines get no better, the worst "nose bleed" seat would be an expensive top level seat in most buildings. In the Northeast, Syracuse in particular, the weather combined with the fair weather, no pun intended, fans, absolutely calls for a domed stadium. Unless the game is absolutely monumental, and, we are highly ranked, these aforementioned fans will not sit outside in the cold, wet and snow to watch a football game. If you think we have attendance problems now, they get much worse in an open air stadium 99% of the time. Retractable roof is totally not cost effective, not gonna happen without Phil Knight switching teams! The Dome is always warm and dry. If you think too warm or too cold at times REALLY! It gets a lot warmer in the sun down south for SEC football, and a lot colder everywhere else outside. Whining about the lack of air conditioning in the dome is ridiculous! Take a look around college football at the seating at most college football stadiums, even the big boys, chock full of bench seating everywhere and does not dissuade their fans from showing up. Go to pro stadiums with individual seating, Miami and Pitt, good teams with history, can not even get close to filling their stadiums, they have attendance issues even though they have all the bells and whistles in their stadium. the only thing that fixes this is consistent winning. I at least, feel very fortunate to have the ability to witness D1 BCS ACC football in the iconic building that is The Carrier Dome. Cheap great seats, compare to almost all, if not all BCS level programs, affordable beer and food prices, and if you disagree with this, you have rarely left the confines of your basement or livingroom and ventured out into the rest of stadium reality around the country, if you had, you would be grateful for a 6$ beer and 3$ Hoffman dog. Try 9-11 $ at many stadiums for a beer, that is if you can even purchase one!! The Carrier Dome is better than ever right now, and ideal for the Central New York football fan!!

We do not have the best atmosphere because football is not a religion in CNY. That's it. It will never be what it is in the south. Ever. regardless if we win 1 or 10 games a season.

 

[KellySyracuse]

Well here is an old but interesting commentary about the similarity between the Metrodome when the roof collapsed because of snow and the Carrier Dome.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/12/manager_of_syracuses_carrier_d.html

Only about 5 - 6 years left on the life of the roof at the dome. SU must already be assessing options on what to do when it needs to be replaced.

 

[orangechef]

Well here is an old but interesting commentary about the similarity between the Metrodome when the roof collapsed because of snow and the Carrier Dome.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/12/manager_of_syracuses_carrier_d.html

Only about 5 - 6 years left on the life of the roof at the dome. SU must already be assessing options on what to do when it needs to be replaced.

roof has already been replaced on the Carrier Dome!!!!

 

[Marsh01]

roof has already been replaced on the Carrier Dome!!!!

Yea back in 1999. Wear and tear over the past 14 years have resulted in about a 5-6 more year band aid until it needs to be addressed.

 

[orangeinjersey]

roof has already been replaced on the Carrier Dome!!!!

When? I was on campus Summer of 99 when it was being replaced. Was cool to see the dome without a roof

 

[Statesman1]

Here is the skinny on the Carrier Dome Period! We do not have the best atmosphere in college football, and this is totally a result of our Northern, liberal, soccer mom culture. When we are winning, and times are good, the atmosphere is pretty good, never gonna be like Auburn or Ole Miss, but pretty good. That being said, the building itself provides one of the very best venues in college football to watch a football game. I have been in many pro and college stadiums, the sight lines get no better, the worst "nose bleed" seat would be an expensive top level seat in most buildings. In the Northeast, Syracuse in particular, the weather combined with the fair weather, no pun intended, fans, absolutely calls for a domed stadium. Unless the game is absolutely monumental, and, we are highly ranked, these aforementioned fans will not sit outside in the cold, wet and snow to watch a football game. If you think we have attendance problems now, they get much worse in an open air stadium 99% of the time. Retractable roof is totally not cost effective, not gonna happen without Phil Knight switching teams! The Dome is always warm and dry. If you think too warm or too cold at times REALLY! It gets a lot warmer in the sun down south for SEC football, and a lot colder everywhere else outside. Whining about the lack of air conditioning in the dome is ridiculous! Take a look around college football at the seating at most college football stadiums, even the big boys, chock full of bench seating everywhere and does not dissuade their fans from showing up. Go to pro stadiums with individual seating, Miami and Pitt, good teams with history, can not even get close to filling their stadiums, they have attendance issues even though they have all the bells and whistles in their stadium. the only thing that fixes this is consistent winning. I at least, feel very fortunate to have the ability to witness D1 BCS ACC football in the iconic building that is The Carrier Dome. Cheap great seats, compare to almost all, if not all BCS level programs, affordable beer and food prices, and if you disagree with this, you have rarely left the confines of your basement or livingroom and ventured out into the rest of stadium reality around the country, if you had, you would be grateful for a 6$ beer and 3$ Hoffman dog. Try 9-11 $ at many stadiums for a beer, that is if you can even purchase one!! The Carrier Dome is better than ever right now, and ideal for the Central New York football fan!!

So true!

 

[Chip]

I'd also expand or rethink entirely the coaching boxes and I don't like that the coaches have to walk through the fans. That's sort of embarrassing

Of all the thoughts in this thread, some fairly sane, some wildly insane, this is one I wish we could address in a way that didn't cost too much.

Modern locker rooms would be my 1A.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

When? I was on campus Summer of 99 when it was being replaced. Was cool to see the dome without a roof

I used to see the Dome in 1979 before it was even a Dome.

 

[KellySyracuse]

roof has already been replaced on the Carrier Dome!!!!

Holy smokes, step off the ledge my friend. You made some valid points in your post and I like the Dome too. But roofs don't last forever and after just replacing mine I wish that they did

 

[Bayside44]

were they handing out crack at the pee-troughs on saturday??

retractble roofs
solid roofs
a fancy brick-job outside it (seriously what?? i had to read that one 10x)
do what the canucks do
move a few lectures to south campus
orange benches?? (again, what?? how does this help the location problem??)
a brand spankin new one will cost pocket change
billy fuccilo will pay for it (ahh no, the people who pay for things like this hire billy to get them coffee)

damn, the last time i did drugs at the Dome was '94 for Pink Floyd...i need to get back into the swing of things...

Is Garden State Brickface and Stucco still around?

 

[Chip]

Is Garden State Brickface and Stucco still around?

Several years back, I hooked up with this random girl at a party, and my friend rode shotgun with her friend. The next morning, when we came to, this was the nicknames we gave them.

Can't say I'm proud of any of it, but to this day we still bring up this business, for that very reason.

 

[orangeinjersey]

Is Garden State Brickface and Stucco still around?

LMAO. Was that a jersey only thing?

 

[Bayside44]

Several years back, I hooked up with this random girl at a party, and my friend rode shotgun with her friend. The next morning, when we came to, this was the nicknames we gave them.

Can't say I'm proud of any of it, but to this day we still bring up this business, for that very reason.

Is that what drove you away from women?

 

[OburgOrange]

Obviously it will have to be multiple sources. Creative financing, naming rights, large donors, small donors, govt money, etc. and before you say no way, the most important part almost happened about 5 years ago with a very large donation. It can and will happen eventually. The only caveat is with a new chancellor he may have other ideas.

Bees, hello Bees... Did the funding fall through or go to other projects? How much was this large donation to be? Thanks