CT’s marquee stadium needs $63M in repairs. Why increased attendance is making a difference.

[huskymedic]

You say that, as if I am not one of America's most trusted sources in conference realignment, off-campus stadiums, and utter distain for the CDRA.

Touché

 

[GoConn]

And to think the original blueprints for the RENT were for a domed stadium with 50K seating capacity...

link?? curious to see this.

 

[CL82]

So, if UConn announces its intention to build an on-campus stadium where does the $300-$400M come from? Not from the state. And, UConn owns all the operating expenses associated with an on campus stadium. Where does that money come from? That only works if were in a P4 conference.

Bonding, backed by the state, most likely. The operating expenses would come from the same place that they come from now, UConn first then the state. That is exactly the situation with the Rent.

Fully agree with you that an on-campus stadium is fairly unlikely, at least in the near term, unless we joined a P4 conference.

 

[CTBasketball]

Is there really $100M in upgrades required or are they overstating the work?

We all know the answer to this.

 

[Kolumbo]

The fact that the roof has been allowed to leak and the expansion joints, not resealed both allowing water infiltration are two examples of where normal maintenance hasn't been done.

I don't want to quibble over maintenance vs repairs vs capital improvements at The Rent because personally I wish they'd reallocate the sucker and build on campus. They said overall The Rent has been well-maintained. It's only 20 years old so I don't know how much maintenance/repair/replacement a building of this type and age requires. The big picture is, I don't think they were negligent. If they had been feeding $$ to this outdoor stadium albatross on an isolated airfield all these years to keep it pristine, we'd criticize them too for spending too much on a less-than-ideal facility. A new roof is usually a major capital replacement.

"Not surprisingly, repairs and replacements have become more prevalent and more expensive with each passing year."

"While Populous concluded that the Stadium has been “well maintained and (is) wearing well for a facility of its era,” it cautioned that certain critical capital investments are needed."

So, if UConn announces its intention to build an on-campus stadium where does the $300-$400M come from? Not from the state. And, UConn owns all the operating expenses associated with an on campus stadium. Where does that money come from? That only works if were in a P4 conference.

True, it probably only works if in a P4 conference. This is where UConn is in such a critical situation. We have to decide on making major improvements to The Rent vs building on campus without a conference affiliation. If UConn had been invited to a P4 conference, the conditions would be very different. As Nostical said, the operating revenue would be significantly higher on campus and would thusly cover the operating expenses.

Further, we all have to believe that UConn will get an invitation from a serious football conference one day soon. We really need to get an invitation because independence isn't sustainable. That conference may stipulate we need an on-campus stadium, in which case we are spending more and more anyway. It's a critical time indeed.

 

[huskymedic]

This is where UConn is in such a critical situation. We have to decide on making major improvements to The Rent vs building on campus without a conference affiliation.

… we are also staring down the double barrel of revenue sharing w/ the athletes if we want to maintain competitiveness - that money needs to come from somewhere outside of the State coffers. New facilities @ this point is the least of the issues facing the Athletic Department. If the State wants to pay for some cosmetic surgery and new joints for the Rent - so be it.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

1 - Its CRDA (Capitol Region Development Authority).
2 - Normally large commercial construction projects end up with some cost overruns. When a quasi government agency is in charge (such as the CRDA) cost overruns go through the roof as unlike a private enterprise, there is no concern about going out of business if you can't keep costs reasonably under control.
3 - Are seatbacks throughout the stadium really that important? At 64 years old I still prefer bleacher seats as at least in my eyes seems to have more of a college feel. I do realize that there will be some who due to any of a few reasons would need chair seating of some sort but I cannot see that reaching even half of what should be our fan base.
4 - Yes, an on campus stadium would be greatly preferred but I am not sure it is anywhere near a possibility. Among the many issues (CL82, please don't), we would also need to fight the CRDA (as it's a large part of their job) and possibly the state government on leaving the facility without a primary tenant. I've mentioned a number of times that a possible solution would be for the state to gidt the facility to the school but I highly doubt that would ever happen.
5 - I believe that letting the concrete sealant deteriorate is a far larger problem than a leaky roof. That could lead to considerable structural damage and sadly, normal maintenance would have prevented that at a fraction of the cost of the repairs.

 

[Makryspost]

CRDA - a HOA. We'll continue to raise your rates, but put nothing in the upkeep / future development needs. "We won't be here when that stuff needs to happen, why should we pay for it".

 

[Skies2018]

1 - Its CRDA (Capitol Region Development Authority).
2 - Normally large commercial construction projects end up with some cost overruns. When a quasi government agency is in charge (such as the CRDA) cost overruns go through the roof as unlike a private enterprise, there is no concern about going out of business if you can't keep costs reasonably under control.
3 - Are seatbacks throughout the stadium really that important? At 64 years old I still prefer bleacher seats as at least in my eyes seems to have more of a college feel. I do realize that there will be some who due to any of a few reasons would need chair seating of some sort but I cannot see that reaching even half of what should be our fan base.
4 - Yes, an on campus stadium would be greatly preferred but I am not sure it is anywhere near a possibility. Among the many issues (CL82, please don't), we would also need to fight the CRDA (as it's a large part of their job) and possibly the state government on leaving the facility without a primary tenant. I've mentioned a number of times that a possible solution would be for the state to gidt the facility to the school but I highly doubt that would ever happen.
5 - I believe that letting the concrete sealant deteriorate is a far larger problem than a leaky roof. That could lead to considerable structural damage and sadly, normal maintenance would have prevented that at a fraction of the cost of the repairs.

Re. Bullet 4: I don’t mean this combatively, why does it seem like we’re the only state that sees their flagship as a revenue source for their capital city?

Like it’s absurd how we make no money at the Rent and we don’t even get parking revenue from the XL. The whole thing seems like a scam that drains the university. Can you maybe explain to me how/why we’re in this situation?

 

[How Sway?!]

Re. Bullet 4: I don’t mean this combatively, why does it seem like we’re the only state that sees their flagship as a revenue source for their capital city?

Like it’s absurd how we make no money at the Rent and we don’t even get parking revenue from the XL. The whole thing seems like a scam that drains the university. Can you maybe explain to me how/why we’re in this situation?

Because the state underwrites hundreds of millions of dollars for the school? Im pretty sure the school gains a lot more from the current arrangement than CRDA or the state

 

[Skies2018]

Because the state underwrites hundreds of millions of dollars for the school? Im pretty sure the school gains a lot more from the current arrangement than CRDA or the state

I feel like it’s more circular than that. The school provides an educated workforce that powers almost all the manufacturing still left in the state. It also helps the state attract new residents and enhance its reputation among a number of other things I’m sure we could list out. It’s not A to B when it comes to state universities. Our total financial impact on the state is greatly more than the amount they give us directly.

 

[CL82]

I don't want to quibble over maintenance vs repairs vs capital improvements at The Rent because personally I wish they'd reallocate the sucker and build on campus. They said overall The Rent has been well-maintained. It's only 20 years old so I don't know how much maintenance/repair/replacement a building of this type and age requires. The big picture is, I don't think they were negligent. If they had been feeding $$ to this outdoor stadium albatross on an isolated airfield all these years to keep it pristine, we'd criticize them too for spending too much on a less-than-ideal facility. A new roof is usually a major capital replacement.

"Not surprisingly, repairs and replacements have become more prevalent and more expensive with each passing year."

"While Populous concluded that the Stadium has been “well maintained and (is) wearing well for a facility of its era,” it cautioned that certain critical capital investments are needed."

True, it probably only works if in a P4 conference. This is where UConn is in such a critical situation. We have to decide on making major improvements to The Rent vs building on campus without a conference affiliation. If UConn had been invited to a P4 conference, the conditions would be very different. As Nostical said, the operating revenue would be significantly higher on campus and would thusly cover the operating expenses.

Further, we all have to believe that UConn will get an invitation from a serious football conference one day soon. We really need to get an invitation because independence isn't sustainable. That conference may stipulate we need an on-campus stadium, in which case we are spending more and more anyway. It's a critical time indeed.

Yep, I know that we generally are on the same side of this issue. Leaving Leeks unmitigated and not resealing the gap between expansion joints is a failure basic maintenance. Whenever you read a statement, particularly by a consultant who is getting paid watch the wiggle words. "Generally" well-maintained as a different meeting than "well-maintained."

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Re. Bullet 4: I don’t mean this combatively, why does it seem like we’re the only state that sees their flagship as a revenue source for their capital city?

Like it’s absurd how we make no money at the Rent and we don’t even get parking revenue from the XL. The whole thing seems like a scam that drains the university. Can you maybe explain to me how/why we’re in this situation?

I don't see your response as combative as this has been a pet peeve of mine for decades. In all candor I wish I knew why the school is required to be a large part of Hartford's economic engine. I was still working in Hartford when the Whalers left and the first words out of the mourhs of the local politicians were "UConn men and women can play all of their home games at the Civic Center to make up for the loss".

Yes, the state provides quite a bit of support to the school, but we aren't the only state flagship that receives funding from its state (I would love to see a comparison). For as long as I can remember any time UConn started displaying ambition on any level, the politicians got nervous.

 

[UC70]

Connecticut is still one of the wealthiest states in America. How does every one else do it ? States like Kansas - Iowa - Oklahoma - Virginia to name a few have 2 BCS teams with better / upgraded stadiums.

They have P4 money to start. And they have a long history of playing high level football. And they really don’t have a choice. They have to spend the money to remain competitive with the other schools in their respective conference. UConn doesn’t have that pressure as an independent.

 

[noeynox]

As a larger person I much prefer bleachers!

Well then, you and I could afford to shed a few pounds! Or we can agree to buy 2 tickets!

 

[UC70]

Bonding, backed by the state, most likely. The operating expenses would come from the same place that they come from now, UConn first then the state. That is exactly the situation with the Rent.

Fully agree with you that an on-campus stadium is fairly unlikely, at least in the near term, unless we joined a P4 conference.

It would be wonderful to have an on-campus stadium. But what’s more important at this point is NIL support. Our FB facilities are fine, on-campus and the Rent, especially the Burton-Shankman on-campus where players spend most of their time. It’s NIL money that will raise the talent level and allow us to compete. I’d rather have $5M in NIL funds then a new $300M stadium on campus. And I bet Mora would agree.

 

[PAGS]

What if they just moved the college campus to East Hartford!!!!

 

[How Sway?!]

I feel like it’s more circular than that. The school provides an educated workforce that powers almost all the manufacturing still left in the state. It also helps the state attract new residents and enhance its reputation among a number of other things I’m sure we could list out. It’s not A to B when it comes to state universities. Our total financial impact on the state is greatly more than the amount they give us directly.

And the school has been able to provide a world class education due to the large investment the state has made. Like you said, both the school and state benefit from the current arrangement. Complaining about a couple of million dollars at best that CRDA takes from the school is not the hill to die on when the state will likely foot the majority of the bill for Gampel improvements

 

[Skies2018]

I don't see your response as combative as this has been a pet peeve of mine for decades. In all candor I wish I knew why the school is required to be a large part of Hartford's economic engine. I was still working in Hartford when the Whalers left and the first words out of the mourhs of the local politicians were "UConn men and women can play all of their home games at the Civic Center to make up for the loss".

Yes, the state provides quite a bit of support to the school, but we aren't the only state flagship that receives funding from its state (I would love to see a comparison). For as long as I can remember any time UConn started displaying ambition on any level, the politicians got nervous.

Thank you! I graduated in 2018 so I appreciate the additional background.

 

[noeynox]

What if they just moved the college campus to East Hartford!!!!

Open up a branch, damn it!

 

[Kolumbo]

What if they just moved the college campus to East Hartford!!!!

Well UConn does have a presence in Hartford. A stadium on either bank of the River Connecticut would have been a nice touch.

The state got a pretty good deal at Rentschler Field for $90 mill. We'll pay for the renovations to keep it going as UConn Football gains traction again. $63 million here. A few million there. We know that's how this must play out for the foreseeable future. If and when a major football conference invitation is forthcoming, we'll cross that bridge, so to speak, when the time comes. You figure by that time it would be a major bump in revenue and we'll have some bank to play with. so for now, PAWS-ARF!

 

[Patman]

Connecticut is still one of the wealthiest states in America. How does every one else do it ? States like Kansas - Iowa - Oklahoma - Virginia to name a few have 2 BCS teams with better / upgraded stadiums.

because in those states those rich people went to that school

 

[coachcap]

link?? curious to see this.

Sorry, don't have a link. But, here's the history: As you may recall, the original site for the eventual UConn football stadium was at the Adrien's Landing site in Hartford, overlooking the Connecticut River. The blueprints were for a 50,000 seat indoor stadium to house UConn football, & move over the Men's & Women's hoop teams from the Hartford Civic Center (XL). THEN, Governor Roland got duped by Bob Kraft into thinking the Patriots would move to Hartford. Kraft (&the NFL) specified that said move necessitated an outdoor stadium with a minimum seating of 64,000 & all of the bells & whistles associated. Once Kraft pulled the rug out & "decided" to stay in Foxboro, there was no longer a need for a major league venue. THEN the Adrien's Landing site was deemed too expensive to develop & UConn was left without a construction site, either in the Capitol City or in Storrs. Enter Pratt & Whitney, who donated the newly decommissioned Rentschler Airfield. Subsequently, The State downsized the original domed stadium blueprints to the current 38,500 seat open air stadium with availability to upsize to 50-55,000.
As a further aside, The State cut costs by using the same architects that were developing a stadium for Louisville. The Cardinals went with all chairback seating. UConn, in a cost saving measure, went with the current configuration in order to purchase a higher quality Jumbotron (which has been replaced twice in the last 20 years).

 

[UConn Dan]

Look. If i ever win the Powerball or Megamillions no one will ever know. But there would be signs.

 

[maple]

The Carrier Dome in Syracuse used to be all metal benches, no chair backs. It was a sterile second class venue. Now the renamed JMA Wireless Dome is ALL chair backs and the food concourses are amazing. Anyone at the game last week came away impressed.

They also have a Club 44 section (a section of orange chair backs). It's a pricey upgrade for basketball season ticket holders to get the special "premium seating". Smart move, tbh.