Alabama Looking to Build Smaller Basketball Arena

[King Ward]

In line with the recent trend toward smaller but nicer basketball arenas, Bama is actively planning a new facility - $183 million verses $150 million to renovate what they have. https://www.al.com/alabamabasketball/2022/02/details-of-new-alabama-basketball-arena-proposal.html

 

[TN-Gamecock]

I like it...quaint...reminds me of Reynolds Coliseum at NC State where the women play bb...

 

[King Ward]

I like it...quaint...reminds me of Reynolds Coliseum at NC State where the women play bb...

It's the thing now. Auburn did it. Ole Miss did it. Texas is doing it with a versatile seating capacity depending on the opponent but smaller than what they have now.

 

[TN-Gamecock]

Would be hard to do for us since women's basketball has sellouts. If the men's team started to win, sellouts would be commonplace in Columbia.

It's great to get off work and head to a bb game during the week. and weekends on Sat/Sun when not a lot is going on.

 

[Fowlmoodin99]

The future....even my Bills...where will the Bills mafia go? https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bu...osal-would-shrink-capacity-by-17-open-in-2027

 

[CockofEarle]

In line with the recent trend toward smaller but nicer basketball arenas, Bama is actively planning a new facility - $183 million verses $150 million to renovate what they have. https://www.al.com/alabamabasketball/2022/02/details-of-new-alabama-basketball-arena-proposal.html

Refurb the Frank.

 

[ToddFlanders]

That’s great looking. It’s definitely worth exploring for USC.

 

[NC Garnet_Black]

I hope we take the same approach and reduce seats at the Brice. I love what UNC has done with the reduction of 15k seats...

 

[Legal_fowl]

I don't think there is a way to renovate the inside of the CLA to make it "steeper" and give more intimacy. (and reduce the capacity)

Does anyone know if the old McGuire arena could be renovated and used for basketball again? 12,000 seats seems about right. The problem there might be parking. It is 3 blocks from the nearest parking facility and there is not a lot of room on the north side of the building (next to the business school)

Could those problems be overcome? Maybe turn the CLA over to the city.

 

[ToddFlanders]

I don't think there is a way to renovate the inside of the CLA to make it "steeper" and give more intimacy. (and reduce the capacity)

Does anyone know if the old McGuire arena could be renovated and used for basketball again? 12,000 seats seems about right. The problem there might be parking. It is 3 blocks from the nearest parking facility and there is not a lot of room on the north side of the building (next to the business school)

Could those problems be overcome? Maybe turn the CLA over to the city.

I'm sure FMA could be renovated, but the bones are so old I don't know if it would add more costs to shore up than would be worth it. I think that's why Bama just started with the idea of a brand new building.

I do think Colonial Life could make some significant changes, but you'd have to gut portions on the inside to move things closer to the action. I think there could be some design elements taken from Ok State and Auburn's arenas (with the pit-like element) - or even the club section at little john.

It's unfortunate that USC built that when they did. I feel like it was one of the last characterless, mega-arenas built and then there was a shift to smaller, more intimate arenas that were more geared toward fan experience.

 

[RAtheOLcoach]

We should follow suit

 

[Garnetspur]

The old Coliseum is a renovated practice and office facility for both BB teams. If you're worried about having full seating, sell the bottom bowl and use the top tier as a overflow for big games.

 

[andersoncountycock]

The old Coliseum is a renovated practice and office facility for both BB teams. If you're worried about having full seating, sell the bottom bowl and use the top tier as a overflow for big games.

What is the max seating on lower level?

 

[Garnetspur]

What is the max seating on lower level?

I'm not sure. My guess is 8 to 10k.

 

[CockofEarle]

I'm sure FMA could be renovated, but the bones are so old I don't know if it would add more costs to shore up than would be worth it. I think that's why Bama just started with the idea of a brand new building.

I do think Colonial Life could make some significant changes, but you'd have to gut portions on the inside to move things closer to the action. I think there could be some design elements taken from Ok State and Auburn's arenas (with the pit-like element) - or even the club section at little john.

It's unfortunate that USC built that when they did. I feel like it was one of the last characterless, mega-arenas built and then there was a shift to smaller, more intimate arenas that were more geared toward fan experience.

I'm sure FMA could be renovated, but the bones are so old I don't know if it would add more costs to shore up than would be worth it. I think that's why Bama just started with the idea of a brand new building.

I do think Colonial Life could make some significant changes, but you'd have to gut portions on the inside to move things closer to the action. I think there could be some design elements taken from Ok State and Auburn's arenas (with the pit-like element) - or even the club section at little john.

It's unfortunate that USC built that when they did. I feel like it was one of the last characterless, mega-arenas built and then there was a shift to smaller, more intimate arenas that were more geared toward fan experience.

Todd, it’s only 50 yrs old, concrete lasts forever. See: Rome.
The other fiasco, bigger is better. See: Fenway, Wrigley.

 

[King Ward]

Todd, it’s only 50 yrs old, concrete lasts forever. See: Rome.
The other fiasco, bigger is better. See: Fenway, Wrigley.

Look at a couple of the more recently built baseball stadiums: Truist Park (Atlanta) - 41,084, LoanDepot Park (Miami) - 36,742.

 

[atl-cock]

Look at a couple of the more recently built baseball stadiums: Truist Park (Atlanta) - 41,084, LoanDepot Park (Miami) - 36,742.

Stadia.

 

[King Ward]

Stadia.

Last time I cited that, someone was quick to point out that either will do. I don't know exactly when "hire" or "disconnect" became nouns, either.

 

[CockofEarle]

Last time I cited that, someone was quick to point out that either will do. I don't know exactly when "hire" or "disconnect" became nouns, either.

What! U an English major

 

[CockofEarle]

Attention: Ward was great @ diagraming sentences

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

See: Fenway, Wrigley.

I've been to Wrigley. It's a dump.

 

[King Ward]

I've been to Wrigley. It's a dump.

If it weren't a dump, how would you like it otherwise?

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

If it weren't a dump, how would you like it otherwise?

It would be great...
for Triple A ball. I was a lot younger when I lived in St. Louis and always had a good fight or two every time we went up there. Had some good times there. Cardinals usually kicked *** as well.

 

[ToddFlanders]

Todd, it’s only 50 yrs old, concrete lasts forever. See: Rome.
The other fiasco, bigger is better. See: Fenway, Wrigley.

im thinking more of all the guts and the space you need to fit more modern ideas in. I don’t think the place is about to collapse, but it was made for a technological/engineering place in time that doesn’t come close to today’s specs. Maybe it could work, but it would cost as much as a new building.

But to your point, somehow Rome made better concrete than anyone is using today. The classics are the classics because they stay.

 

[CockofEarle]

I've been to Wrigley. It's a dump.

Why would u go to a dump n the first place…….Not a purist? Someone else would have enjoyed that seat……like a kid with cancer.

10 trips, including one 6 game stretch…..it’s a beauty to watch a game at.

 

[CockofEarle]

im thinking more of all the guts and the space you need to fit more modern ideas in. I don’t think the place is about to collapse, but it was made for a technological/engineering place in time that doesn’t come close to today’s specs. Maybe it could work, but it would cost as much as a new building.

But to your point, somehow Rome made better concrete than anyone is using today. The classics are the classics because they stay.

When it’s all said & done…….who recalls the fluff……it’s a palace built for basketball by a basketball man.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

Why would u go to a dump n the first place…….Not a purist? Someone else would have enjoyed that seat……like a kid with cancer.

Oh I did enjoy it usually. See post #23. We always sat in the bleachers. That's where the action we were looking for was easy to find. And back then it was around 3 bucks. Don't remember how many games I went to up there over the years but it was more than ten.

 

[CockofEarle]

Oh I did enjoy it usually. See post #23. We always sat in the bleachers. That's where the action we were looking for was easy to find. And back then it was around 3 bucks. Don't remember how many games I went to up there over the years but it was more than ten.

Sorry, the “dump” comment threw me……….wouldn’t trade it for anything, much less Fenway or old Comiskey & Yankeee stadiums.

In fact I’d even like to see another game @ the ultra modern astrodome…….the grandad of all.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

Sorry, the “dump” comment threw me……….

Well, it IS a dump. It was a dump in the 70's when I was there. I don't know about Fenway. But I KNOW about Wrigley. Saw the Astros vs Mets in the Astrodome around 1975 or 76. Caesar Cedeno went deep off Jerry Koosman and got to see the hokey light show on the big board in the outfield.

 

[atl-cock]

It would be great...
for Triple A ball. I was a lot younger when I lived in St. Louis and always had a good fight or two every time we went up there. Had some good times there. Cardinals usually kicked *** as well.

I believe Wrigley underwent a major rehab sometime in the past 10 years.

 

[King Ward]

What! U an English major

Started in journalism; wound up with a business degree.

 

[atl-cock]

The Carolina Coliseum took four years to build. Like Tanner and Founders Park, McGuire was heavily involved in the design. First class facilities designed for TV broadcasts. Excellent thinking for the mid 1960s - he probably had colour TV in mind too. It sure looked good to this 10 year old's eyes on the family colour TV in Beaufort in 1970.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

I believe Wrigley underwent a major rehab sometime in the past 10 years.

How major? The last update I remember was adding lights lol. I think the Sox like their sort of still new park.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

colour TV

Are you originally from Canada or the UK?

 

[atl-cock]

Are you originally from Canada or the UK?

Originally from Beaufort. My wife researched the history of of the 'u's got dropped in America (cheap printing presses) and chooses to go back to the original spellings. I concur.

 

[atl-cock]

How major? The last update I remember was adding lights lol. I think the Sox like their sort of still new park.

1060 Project.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

My wife researched the history of of the 'u's got dropped in America (cheap printing presses)

I was just wondering. They also spell defense as defence. Must be a different reason for that.

 

[HillsToSea]

Started in journalism; wound up with a business degree.

King, I believe you said,at one time, your mother was an English teacher?

 

[atl-cock]

I was just wondering. They also spell defense as defence. Must be a different reason for that.

I'll consult with "she who must be obeyed" on this.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

I'll consult with "she who must be obeyed" on this.

I did read about the 1060 project, sounds like they've done a lot. But the cubbies are like Clemson to me. I hate them with a hot burning passion.