"The Dome roof"

[reedny]

Northwestern University Opens Ryan Fieldhouse, Multi-Sport Training Facility

So this has no state money, but has a VERY deep pocketed donor. The Ryan Family also donated a substantial amount to a downtown hospital at the same time, so the money is in a different stratosphere. This project has all the infrastructure needs that a new building project would have as well as sight related design challenges that required a team of 3 different major architecture firms. Not yet included in this is the "Athletics Center" that is a cross between Manley and the Arch. To put some of this in perspective, programmatically I would bet we have covered the same ground a little while back. Lampe, Melo Center, Einsley, and other Manley renovations are probably comparable program. The cost on the other hand is probably 10%-15% of the cost for this Northwestern complex. I would be the first to say the aesthetic value of the expense is evident, but will the output be? Will NW suddenly start winning NC's in hoops and football to justify spending 600% more? Will their enrollment increase as a result of this facility? They will use this for other functions, primarily for graduation ceremonies, but we do that with the Dome. To the point above, are we to spend $150 million to keep the Dome running for hoops, and graduation AND $500 million on a new open air off campus stadium (roof it and that cost will go up)? Won't we still have the added costs related to "since we're doing this" as well as the hand wringing of "we should have done more" after?

Appreciate your input, as always. Interesting points about the Ryan family and their separate investment in the Athletics Center. Personally I love the look of the project. You have a point that enrollment and FB wins may not match the capital cost ... but in the arms race that many P5 Universities are engaged in, if you don't keep it fresh, you fall behind.

As far as SU's project goes, I have waffled on this myself, mostly because of the challenge of creating the comfort levels and open spaces that modern students and fans expect .. in a 38 year old concrete structure. That's why they pay you the big bucks, 97.

As you can see from my (edited) post, I'm starting to swing back the other way, towards renovation. The Dome has to be updated and re-roofed no matter what. So any new build would have to be financed ON TOP of that cost -- making the concept cost prohibitive. I'll be interested to see if they can come up with a design that wraps glass around new steel roof supports ... hopefully cutting into the concrete in enough places to open the place up, bring some light in and relieve the concourse pressure.

 

[xc84]

Appreciate your input, as always. Interesting points about the Ryan family and their separate investment in the Athletics Center. Personally I love the look of the project. You have a point that enrollment and FB wins may not match the capital cost ... but in the arms race that many P5 Universities are engaged in, if you don't keep it fresh, you fall behind.

As far as SU's project goes, I have waffled on this myself, mostly because of the challenge of creating the comfort levels and open spaces that modern students and fans expect .. in a 38 year old concrete structure. That's why they pay you the big bucks, 97.

As you can see from my (edited) post, I'm starting to swing back the other way, towards renovation. The Dome has to be updated and re-roofed no matter what. So any new build would have to be financed ON TOP of that cost -- making the concept cost prohibitive. I'll be interested to see if they can come up with a design that wraps glass around new steel roof supports ... hopefully cutting into the concrete in enough places to open the place up, bring some light in and relieve the concourse pressure.

If they built a new domed stadium at e.g. Skytop for e.g. $500M, why would they not tear down the current dome?

 

[RandomGuy]

New inflatable roof, dreadful.

New hard top, with natural lighting, and AC? Meh. Disappointing.

New roof supports allow for future expansion, when budget allows? Better.

 

[NJCuse97]

Appreciate your input, as always. Interesting points about the Ryan family and their separate investment in the Athletics Center. Personally I love the look of the project. You have a point that enrollment and FB wins may not match the capital cost ... but in the arms race that many P5 Universities are engaged in, if you don't keep it fresh, you fall behind.

As far as SU's project goes, I have waffled on this myself, mostly because of the challenge of creating the comfort levels, open spaces and light that modern students and fans expect .. in a 38 year old structure. That's why they pay you the big bucks, 97.

As you can see from my (edited) post, I'm starting to swing back the other way, towards renovation. The Dome has to be updated and re-roofed no matter what. So any new build has to be financed ON TOP of that cost -- making the concept cost prohibitive. So I'll be interested to see if they can come up with a design that wraps glass around the new steel roof supports ... and hopefully cuts into the concrete in enough places to open the Dome up and relieve the concourse pressure.

Yup, I think the only way the university even considers a new facility elsewhere is if it's handed to them by the city or state, without strings, and if a major donor did come along, I believe they would hope to convince that person a Dome renovation is still the best way, or at a minimum, a parallel necessity.

Renovation has better optics too, even if the end product might be "better" with a new "greenfield" site. The University can tell a story about sustainability, and avoiding waste (money and material waste). They keep it all "student centered" and they can avoid the conversation some of "student athletes" or pay to play/who's making bank on the backs of kids.

The renovation is not an easy thing, but I don't think the University wants to loose the amenity or function from Campus, and they don't want to rely on others (except donors of course) to provide for their needs in a way that can influence the project away from their goals.

 

[FreakTalksAboutSU]

They did their homework on this. More people associated with the university wanted the stadium on campus than off campus.

I'm one of them.

 

[FrancoPizza]

New inflatable roof, dreadful.

New hard top, with natural lighting, and AC? Meh. Disappointing.

New roof supports allow for future expansion, when budget allows? Better.

This. Just allow for future expansion. Don’t be narrow-minded. I think we all can live with that. And I think it will be easier to generate interest down the road from big donors if they can see the future possibilities.

Unfortunately why do I feel like SU will find a way to screw it up?

 

[jgeorge322]

A lot of you miss the point of the team and the stadium is for the students. That's how the school views it and in all likelihood always will.

The admin also did their homework and hired greg robinson at one point

 

[Cusefan0307]

The admin also did their homework and hired greg robinson at one point

That admin is long gone.

Alums/Students/Season ticket holders were given a survey and gave their input on the future of the dome.

 

[jgeorge322]

That admin is long gone.

Alums/Students/Season ticket holders were given a survey and gave their input on the future of the dome.

I hear you. I guess id prefer on campus too but a downtown stadium has some merits.

 

[DoubleDee]

Tear off the roof, go back to our roots in FB, and be trendsetters as the only college team to play basketball in an open air arena in snowsuits.

See, I’m a problem solver.

 

[TexanMark]

Students don't go now when the games are on campus. You think they're going to take a bus or drive to an off campus stadium? Come on.

As it is we have about a hard core base of 200 students...not much downside risk if you ask me.

BL: I still favor keeping it on campus...but building brand new downtown or out by Destiny has some real positives.

 

[GoSU96]

So SU can schedule basketball games around Disney on Ice?

With a true multi use managed by people who know how to do it that so not an issue.

The Staples center has the Lakers, Clippers, and Kings using it concurrently and there are concerts and events going on within those season calendars

Juggling dates would be a feature, not a bug. Of all the things to worry about.

 

[shandeezy7]

As it is we have about a hard core base of 200 students...not much downside risk if you ask me.

BL: I still favor keeping it on campus...but building brand new downtown or out by Destiny has some real positives.

I'm also pro-renovation, but would not oppose a new build somewhere else. Seems like more people are clamoring for it to be at Skytop, which, while technically on-campus, is around 2 miles from campus proper. Meanwhile, the "off-campus" Kennedy Square site is less than a mile from most of the campus.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

New inflatable roof, dreadful.

New hard top, with natural lighting, and AC? Meh. Disappointing.

New roof supports allow for future expansion, when budget allows? Better.

What expansion would EVER be needed for SU FB?

 

[FrancoPizza]

What expansion would EVER be needed for SU FB?

Tuttle, he's referring to expansion of the concourses not seating capacity. C'mon man that was pretty obvious.

 

[RandomGuy]

Right. Many would prefer larger concourses/ammenities.. If they can't, right now, so be it. If they are forward thinking, a slightly larger footprint might allow them to hack away at it over the years... Work the non bball side during the winter... Close a section, if need be during fb season...put a restaurant/bar looking onto the field, etc... We lose seats for better revenue producing amenities.

The same footprint could eliminate many future upgrades, and we'll be having the same discussion, as folks have come to expect things in their experience... AC should be mandatory. We like it more than avocado ice cream..

Uncomfortable seat, at 95 degrees? No. I'll take the AC over the seat.

 

[GoSU96]

They did their homework on this. More people associated with the university wanted the stadium on campus than off campus.

And obviously those folks have opened up their checkbooks.

 

[DoubleDee]

I'll take the AC over the seat.

I think AC is a non necessity. And I’m pro bench, but not anti-seat. But if you want AC, wouldn’t the cold metal bench keep you even cooler in the pants region? I think it would.

 

[FrancoPizza]

I'm also pro-renovation, but would not oppose a new build somewhere else. Seems like more people are clamoring for it to be at Skytop, which, while technically on-campus, is around 2 miles from campus proper. Meanwhile, the "off-campus" Kennedy Square site is less than a mile from most of the campus.

I hate the skytop idea. Doesn’t feel like a campus setting and lacks the natural charm and architectural beauty of main campus. There are much better options if they ever decide to build new.

 

[TexanMark]

I think AC is a non necessity. And I’m pro bench, but not anti-seat. But if you want AC, wouldn’t the cold metal bench keep you even cooler in the pants region? I think it would.

Have you sat in the 3rd level on 80 degree+ days? It can be absolutely brutal up there

 

[DoubleDee]

Have you sat in the 3rd level on 80 degree+ days? It can be absolutely brutal up there

Every season. But I can deal with it for 2-3 games a year. I’d spend the money on other amenities. Just my opinion, but I get yours.

 

[RandomGuy]

I think AC is a non necessity. And I’m pro bench, but not anti-seat. But if you want AC, wouldn’t the cold metal bench keep you even cooler in the pants region? I think it would.

It's oppressive. I have relatives that would never go to an early season game. On top of the heat, you get human body moisture, permeating the air, making it more stuffy and oppressive. (And kinda gross). A hard top would allow for a free flow of air... Enough AC to counter the 40000 heaters, and get it to 80 degrees? Fine by me. Sure, 70 would be better, but I don't expect the world. Just don't want to be miserable.


Looks like in this survey, AC is the highest priority. "Disgustingly hot". AC wins 44.6% to 29% seats.


Dome 35 | The Legend and Future of Syracuse's Carrier Dome

 

[reedny]

If they built a new domed stadium at e.g. Skytop for e.g. $500M, why would they not tear down the current dome?

That would be an option. If they decide on that (build new and demolish the Dome), all the new buildings at the site would have to be designed and constructed.

 

[jgeorge322]

I think AC is a non necessity. And I’m pro bench, but not anti-seat. But if you want AC, wouldn’t the cold metal bench keep you even cooler in the pants region? I think it would.

pro bench? impossible.

 

[RandomGuy]

Hope this hasn't changed
He did send plans to remodel his home to the entire student body, so I'm not exactly feeling great...