Hockey RFEI Update

[UCONNJACK]

http://www.mansfieldct.gov/filestorage/1904/5335/2212/20171212_minutes_draft.pdf

There were six responses expressing interest in the new hockey arena. Interviews are being conducted this month.

 

[FDNY99]

http://www.mansfieldct.gov/filestorage/1904/5335/2212/20171212_minutes_draft.pdf

There were six responses expressing interest in the new hockey arena. Interviews are being conducted this month.

Looks like this project is slowly moving forward.....and with Islanders getting approved for their project at Belmont it may be good that this is happening.

 

[Guapo]

OT but do you think the UConn people that are forced to go to these meetings are like "ugh we have to go deal with these dinguses again"?

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

OT but do you think the UConn people that are forced to go to these meetings are like "ugh we have to go deal with these dinguses again"?

Absolutely, but it's not as if any choice exists. And, both sides likely have similar feelings. Imagine having to deal with some UConn stairmasters ...

 

[BRG 1]

Town / Gown relations are always dicey because discussions about crime, traffic, police, parties etc. However a new hockey arena benefits Mansfield and the surrounding area. Traffic on game nights is always a topic of discussion. Since the budget issues UConn is being prudent doing this now before it really has to ( waiting until the XL center gets torn down )
PC's Schneider Arena gets used for High School Championships and other local uses.

Now that the Islanders going to Belmont is a real possibility who is to say the possibility exists the Wolfpack moves to Bridgeport, or Portland, Me. When the Casino comes on line in 8 months the Mass Mutual center will be competing for events against the XL Center with MGMs backing

 

[Guapo]

Town / Gown relations are always dicey because discussions about crime, traffic, police, parties etc. However a new hockey arena benefits Mansfield and the surrounding area. Traffic on game nights is always a topic of discussion. Since the budget issues UConn is being prudent doing this now before it really has to ( waiting until the XL center gets torn down )
PC's Schneider Arena gets used for High School Championships and other local uses.

Now that the Islanders going to Belmont is a real possibility who is to say the possibility exists the Wolfpack moves to Bridgeport, or Portland, Me. When the Casino comes on line in 8 months the Mass Mutual center will be competing for events against the XL Center with MGMs backing

I'm guessing you don't fully understand the nature of town/gown relations in Storrs.

The locals will make it difficult for UConn to do anything just on principle.

 

[BRG 1]

Understood. Mansfield probably was happy when football started playing in East Hartford.

However I think UConn is smart to pursue their Master Plan with respect to their Olympic sports before the $$$ is harder to get. A new/ refurbished hockey arena with an occasional date in Bridgeport seems to be the future if they want to stay in Hockey East and not go backwards playing AIC, Bentley etc.

 

[Guapo]

Understood. Mansfield probably was happy when football started playing in East Hartford.

However I think UConn is smart to pursue their Master Plan with respect to their Olympic sports before the $$$ is harder to get. A new/ refurbished hockey arena with an occasional date in Bridgeport seems to be the future if they want to stay in Hockey East and not go backwards playing AIC, Bentley etc.

Oh obviously.

This isn't just about sports though.

For instance, the locals complain too many students live off campus then fight tooth and nail against UConn building new dorms.

 

[FDNY99]

Town / Gown relations are always dicey because discussions about crime, traffic, police, parties etc. However a new hockey arena benefits Mansfield and the surrounding area. Traffic on game nights is always a topic of discussion. Since the budget issues UConn is being prudent doing this now before it really has to ( waiting until the XL center gets torn down )
PC's Schneider Arena gets used for High School Championships and other local uses.

Now that the Islanders going to Belmont is a real possibility who is to say the possibility exists the Wolfpack moves to Bridgeport, or Portland, Me. When the Casino comes on line in 8 months the Mass Mutual center will be competing for events against the XL Center with MGMs backing

It's a done deal that the Islanders are going to Belmont...they will break ground in 2018 and open arena in 2020.

 

[BRG 1]

Oh obviously.

This isn't just about sports though.

For instance, the locals complain too many students live off campus then fight tooth and nail against UConn building new dorms.

Interesting. PC students who were Juniors and Seniors lived on the 8 or 9 streets surrounding campus renting houses off campus from the mid 70s to about 2004, about 30 + years. Today's students like live on campus, so PC built new dorms and so now those off campus rentals are now Brown, RI College and Johnson and Wales students.

 

[BRG 1]

It's a done deal that the Islanders are going to Belmont...they will break ground in 2018 and open arena in 2020.

Thanks got that impression that it was very serious. I guess Uniondale with renovations isn't enough.

My point is it looks like a potential tenant the XL Center is counting on could change (Wolfpack) based on what the parent club does. I know living in the area that MGM is going to be aggressive in getting events to the Mass Mutual center since it is a block away. I know some want the XL Center to be refurbished for downtown economic vitality but renovations should have been done 15 to 20 years ago.

 

[UNHAlumInCT]

If the XL Center is going to be torn down, then a 16K+ capacity all purpose arena will need to be built on campus to maintain revenue streams and ticket demand, correct?

Gampel can't be enlarged to that capacity. Freitas will have to be kept to provide a practice facility and a home for intramurals and open skating because basketball will always have priority at the new arena. I assume there are intramural ice hockey teams at UConn and that faculty, staff, students and local residents want skating time. UMass has a rink adjacent to the Mullins Center for those purposes because basketball is the priority there as well.

I suppose a new 16K+ arena could be built next to the Rent, but wouldn't that cost more than renovating the XL Center?

 

[FDNY99]

If the XL Center is going to be torn down, then a 16K+ capacity all purpose arena will need to be built on campus to maintain revenue streams and ticket demand, correct?

Gampel can't be enlarged to that capacity. Freitas will have to be kept to provide a practice facility and a home for intramurals and open skating because basketball will always have priority at the new arena. I assume there are intramural ice hockey teams at UConn and that faculty, staff, students and local residents want skating time. UMass has a rink adjacent to the Mullins Center for those purposes because basketball is the priority there as well.

I suppose a new 16K+ arena could be built next to the Rent, but wouldn't that cost more than renovating the XL Center?

You are gonna see a place that meets the HEA minimum capacity (4500 seats..w/ SRO capability) that will be similar to what is found around the conference. No need to build something that holds 6000.

 

[Palatine]

Thanks got that impression that it was very serious. I guess Uniondale with renovations isn't enough.

My point is it looks like a potential tenant the XL Center is counting on could change (Wolfpack) based on what the parent club does. I know living in the area that MGM is going to be aggressive in getting events to the Mass Mutual center since it is a block away. I know some want the XL Center to be refurbished for downtown economic vitality but renovations should have been done 15 to 20 years ago.

Which is why Hartford needs a casino rather than sticking one in East Windsor as a complete orphan. A casino would help a Hartford arena and vice versa. DUH.

 

[huskymike]

Anybody "in the know" have an update?

 

[CL82]

Which is why Hartford needs a casino rather than sticking one in East Windsor as a complete orphan. A casino would help a Hartford arena and vice versa. DUH.

Have you ever been to Atlantic City?