Dooley
Done with U-con athletics
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- Oct 7, 2012
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With all of this talk about the Rockcats and XL Center, I think the biggest fish for the State to consider is expanding Rentschler Field. We all know UCONN isn't going anywhere but the AAC with a 40K stadium. Without an expanded/renovated Rentschler Field, the state won't have to worry about building a new downtown Hartford arena because attendance levels to watch UCONN vs Tulane hoops would barely fill Gampel. So, with that in mind, I think our state government should strongly consider planning for an expanded Rentschler Field. If everyone can excuse the 3rd grade level graphics, this is what I dream of for a Rent expansion...
1. Add ~ 20,000 seats to bring capacity to ~60,000: everything in between yellow lines is added seating. Add symmetry to the stadium by connecting the upper corners of the 2nd deck on both sides of the stadium. Elevate the larger video board to atop the 2nd deck on the Gold lot side and add a smaller video board atop the student section side. Ribbon boards should wrap the 2nd deck facings between the 1st and 2nd levels all away around the stadium. A third deck should be added behind the UCONN sideline. This would get stadium capacity to roughly 60K, by my estimation.
Note: if anyone with a sharper eye and IQ for graphic design wants to take a stab at picture below, feel free.
2. Standing area transformation: the standing area on the Gold lot side of the stadium will be transformed into "The Airfield Sports Bar". The space between the lower and 2nd deck on the Gold lot side should be completely open to optimize viewing. The bar will be open-air (no enclosing glass) with a standing area along the current "red line" and seating areas behind the standing area. Install several HDTVs hanging from the ceiling to allow for fans standing and seated in the bar to watch the game and see replays. Ceiling fans and heating stands should be added for fan comfort. Open a full bar with access to a variety of food trucks along the back wall of the stadium. Install a men's and women's bathroom. Maximum bar capacity: 500. Anyone with a game ticket over the age of 21 can be admitted.
3. Covered seating: this serves two purposes if done correctly. One, it enhances fan comfort at games while still allowing UCONN to take advantage of our New England climate. Fans might be less likely to leave games early and more likely to get to their covered seats earlier if they are comfortable while watching the game. Second, the covering adds an acoustic element to our stadium. We won't ever have a stadium as big as Michigan or Ohio State, but that doesn't mean it can't be as loud (or louder) . Designing the covering so that it traps sound inside the stadium transforms the screams and cheers of around 60K into 100K (think Quest Field in Seattle). The covered seating likely caps the stadium capacity at whatever it would be after this renovation and that is fine. With HDTVs and an increased number of fans choosing to watch sports at home, you don't need a huge stadium...you need one that maximizes fan comfort and atmosphere. This does both (you won't get rained or snowed on while enjoying the game in a LOUD venue).
4. Third deck ramp: two spiral walking ramps should be added to the 2 gate areas on the Blue lot parking side of the stadium (one ramp at each end of the deck). Handicap accessibility also added by means of UTC (Otis) elevators and escalators.
5. Third deck amenities: the outer wall of the added third deck would now serve as the expanded corridor area on the UCONN sideline side of the stadium. Install bathrooms, simple beer carts (like those that wrap the standing areas around the stadium), and quick food service (hot dogs, hamburgers, soda, water, etc.). For enhanced food/drinks, those can be located on the first level expanded area.
All in all, the cost for my dream expansion/renovation would likely be double (or more) the cost of the original stadium construction. But this is the expense that will be necessary to elevate UCONN into the B1G or ACC and keep other CT venues like the XL Center and Gampel (and, in extension, downtown Hartford) vibrant. The footings are already in place for the added third deck on the UCONN sidelines so that expedites the project and helps keep the cost down a touch. Why would the State allocate the bonding funding for this? Simple. With UCONN in the B1G or ACC, downtown Hartford's top entertainment draw keeps the XL Center afloat and booked through the winter. With UCONN in the AAC, it would make more sense for UCONN to schedule all home games at Gampel since attendance will be down a touch. Allocating big money to Rentschler Field and capping the capacity at around 60K with the seating covering addresses a huge concern against UCONN. The State could use the land area around the Rent to build hotels, restaurants, and outlet shopping similar to Patriot Place in Foxboro to attract businesses to Connecticut. The infrastructure cost to accommodate the increased traffic won't be too bad. 84 is a DJ Hernandez throw away from the west end zone. About the only thing that could be added is an extra lane on both sides of Silver Lane and other entrance way streets. If the State loves the busway, how's about extending it to East Hartford in the future? And if you want to keep cars off the roads, the State can open CT Transit lines on game days/nights from various corners of the state. Also, opening a RV lot 24 hours in advance cuts down on some traffic and opening gates 6 hours before kickoff and staying open 2 hours after kickoff thins out the congestion a bit.
Putting the money into the Rent now can buy the state some more time to decide what to do with XL Center. They can afford to throw "lipstick on a pig" for a lower cost that can extend the life of the downtown arena for another 10-15 years when UCONN goes back to playing against top competition again. If B1G/ACC hoops and maybe hockey demand calls for a new arena, then the state has plenty of time to hammer out the logistics of where and when to build. But without addressing Rentschler Field first, you might as well board up the XL Center and allow UCONN to play all of its home games on-campus.
For UCONN, if a 60K stadium is too tiny 20-30 years from now, then they can look into using some of their $1B+ endowment to construct a larger, on campus stadium. But this would do just fine while UCONN builds up its football program back to consistent P5 levels, like pre-Pasqualoni.
1. Add ~ 20,000 seats to bring capacity to ~60,000: everything in between yellow lines is added seating. Add symmetry to the stadium by connecting the upper corners of the 2nd deck on both sides of the stadium. Elevate the larger video board to atop the 2nd deck on the Gold lot side and add a smaller video board atop the student section side. Ribbon boards should wrap the 2nd deck facings between the 1st and 2nd levels all away around the stadium. A third deck should be added behind the UCONN sideline. This would get stadium capacity to roughly 60K, by my estimation.
Note: if anyone with a sharper eye and IQ for graphic design wants to take a stab at picture below, feel free.
2. Standing area transformation: the standing area on the Gold lot side of the stadium will be transformed into "The Airfield Sports Bar". The space between the lower and 2nd deck on the Gold lot side should be completely open to optimize viewing. The bar will be open-air (no enclosing glass) with a standing area along the current "red line" and seating areas behind the standing area. Install several HDTVs hanging from the ceiling to allow for fans standing and seated in the bar to watch the game and see replays. Ceiling fans and heating stands should be added for fan comfort. Open a full bar with access to a variety of food trucks along the back wall of the stadium. Install a men's and women's bathroom. Maximum bar capacity: 500. Anyone with a game ticket over the age of 21 can be admitted.
3. Covered seating: this serves two purposes if done correctly. One, it enhances fan comfort at games while still allowing UCONN to take advantage of our New England climate. Fans might be less likely to leave games early and more likely to get to their covered seats earlier if they are comfortable while watching the game. Second, the covering adds an acoustic element to our stadium. We won't ever have a stadium as big as Michigan or Ohio State, but that doesn't mean it can't be as loud (or louder) . Designing the covering so that it traps sound inside the stadium transforms the screams and cheers of around 60K into 100K (think Quest Field in Seattle). The covered seating likely caps the stadium capacity at whatever it would be after this renovation and that is fine. With HDTVs and an increased number of fans choosing to watch sports at home, you don't need a huge stadium...you need one that maximizes fan comfort and atmosphere. This does both (you won't get rained or snowed on while enjoying the game in a LOUD venue).
4. Third deck ramp: two spiral walking ramps should be added to the 2 gate areas on the Blue lot parking side of the stadium (one ramp at each end of the deck). Handicap accessibility also added by means of UTC (Otis) elevators and escalators.
5. Third deck amenities: the outer wall of the added third deck would now serve as the expanded corridor area on the UCONN sideline side of the stadium. Install bathrooms, simple beer carts (like those that wrap the standing areas around the stadium), and quick food service (hot dogs, hamburgers, soda, water, etc.). For enhanced food/drinks, those can be located on the first level expanded area.
All in all, the cost for my dream expansion/renovation would likely be double (or more) the cost of the original stadium construction. But this is the expense that will be necessary to elevate UCONN into the B1G or ACC and keep other CT venues like the XL Center and Gampel (and, in extension, downtown Hartford) vibrant. The footings are already in place for the added third deck on the UCONN sidelines so that expedites the project and helps keep the cost down a touch. Why would the State allocate the bonding funding for this? Simple. With UCONN in the B1G or ACC, downtown Hartford's top entertainment draw keeps the XL Center afloat and booked through the winter. With UCONN in the AAC, it would make more sense for UCONN to schedule all home games at Gampel since attendance will be down a touch. Allocating big money to Rentschler Field and capping the capacity at around 60K with the seating covering addresses a huge concern against UCONN. The State could use the land area around the Rent to build hotels, restaurants, and outlet shopping similar to Patriot Place in Foxboro to attract businesses to Connecticut. The infrastructure cost to accommodate the increased traffic won't be too bad. 84 is a DJ Hernandez throw away from the west end zone. About the only thing that could be added is an extra lane on both sides of Silver Lane and other entrance way streets. If the State loves the busway, how's about extending it to East Hartford in the future? And if you want to keep cars off the roads, the State can open CT Transit lines on game days/nights from various corners of the state. Also, opening a RV lot 24 hours in advance cuts down on some traffic and opening gates 6 hours before kickoff and staying open 2 hours after kickoff thins out the congestion a bit.
Putting the money into the Rent now can buy the state some more time to decide what to do with XL Center. They can afford to throw "lipstick on a pig" for a lower cost that can extend the life of the downtown arena for another 10-15 years when UCONN goes back to playing against top competition again. If B1G/ACC hoops and maybe hockey demand calls for a new arena, then the state has plenty of time to hammer out the logistics of where and when to build. But without addressing Rentschler Field first, you might as well board up the XL Center and allow UCONN to play all of its home games on-campus.
For UCONN, if a 60K stadium is too tiny 20-30 years from now, then they can look into using some of their $1B+ endowment to construct a larger, on campus stadium. But this would do just fine while UCONN builds up its football program back to consistent P5 levels, like pre-Pasqualoni.
I don't mind the open end zone bar area as long as the other nooks and crannies are filled-in with seating. Keep thinking outside the box. The key is whether Benedict etal will be pushing the issue. You have to believe that in their quiet talks with P-5 conference honchos they are showing mock-ups of our stadium expansion plans.