Renovations at Rentschler Field

[Palatine]

The Rent is starting to look really tired. The bleachers, concourse need a decent amount of work. The field however looks fantastic. Really wish they would chairback it with UConn colors and use it for other things besides football in the offseason. But that will never happen.

At the very least they should alternate Blue and White seats which would look much better on TV.

 

[UCFBfan]

Wasn't there also talk of updating all of the wiring inside as TV had to run ridiculous cables all over bc the system is as old as the stadium?

 

[Jetskies]

I think that would make sense if the stadium were used weekly for something. I don't think making major capital investments into a structure rarely used makes financial sense. That's the problem with the stadium being where it is, and it is a rental. It doesn't enhance the Storrs campus and it has very limited use so spending big bucks for all the bells and whistles just does not make sense. I like it for tailgating and watching football, it serves the purpose well. But that is all it is.

I spent some time in Athens, GA for work so I would jog around the campus. One day I ran across the Sanford Dr bridge which overlooks the end zone and there was a small ceremony of some sort in the middle of the football field. A great setting. Sanford Stadium is pretty much Athens, GA. It is squeezed right in the middle of campus. That is how serious football programs do it, like it or not. I hope UConn gets to that point.

i don't think you're wrong. It would be a 'waste'.

TBH no modern football stadium is worth the money the universities spend on creating them. When does Michgan need to put 100,000 people together, besides 6 times a year? Tennessee? Penn State? etc. etc.

It's kind of like that picture i saw once on IG about LSU's new stadium upgrades and locker room upgrades, but they had a leaky ceiling in their library that was being dealt with, with garbage bins catching the water.


But unfortunately, this stadium discussion isn't about money spent being "worth" it, in the way you're outlining above.

so, assuming that spending your money on football stadiums is a waste of money (in the grand scheme of life, it is 100%), UConn either wants to be relevant in FBS Football or not. In addition to wasting money on players, they need to waste some money on playing in a home worthy of a power conference badge (BTW The Rent was worthy... 17 years ago).

there are counter examples to this (power schools with not amazing stadiums) but those are fewer and fewer as the years go on, and they're legacy programs who were lucky enough to be grandfathered into the power status (northwestern, Vandy) - but see, even those schools are choosing to "waste" their money on keeping up with their peers and making modern gameday experiences.

If we behave like a Big East school in 2024 we're gonna get treated like a Big East school.
If we behave like a Big 12 school.... etc.

 

[gioff2323]

Most palaces paint the row number on each concrete step. Overall the Rent looks tired

Well there’s your problem. No self respecting palace owner would have concrete steps, let alone paint numbers on them.

 

[JohnFSilver]

The start of roof improvements at East Hartford’s Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field are on tap for early 2025, Freimuth said. Once a construction manager is chosen, work on the stadium’s roof could start as soon as February.

Future work is needed on Rentschler Field’s IT infrastructure, metal detectors and sound system, Freimuth said. The state’s bond commission is expected to consider more money for the project. A 2023 study found that the East Hartford stadium needed at least $63 million in renovations to upgrade its antiquated systems.

https://www.ctinsider.com/business/article/ct-hartford-xl-center-renovations-uconn-games-19879966.php

Metal detectors. Hate going through those.

 

[AzHusky]

74 years old with a pacemaker, didn't go thru any stinking metal detectors at the Rent when I went to the Buffalo game.

 

[CL82]

74 years old with a pacemaker, didn't go thru any stinking metal detectors at the Rent when I went to the Buffalo game.

How's that work? Do tell them I have a pacemaker. I can't go through that?

 

[AzHusky]

Correct. I have never had a problem with just telling them. But if necessary I have a medical card that indicates that I have a pacemaker.

 

[Kolumbo]

74 years old with a pacemaker, didn't go thru any stinking metal detectors at the Rent when I went to the Buffalo game.

Last thing you wanna do is flummox that thing

 

[tiger paw]

Exactly what has my seat donation money been used for the past 21 years ? I thought it was originally for stadium payments . Does anyone know ?

 

[UC70]

Exactly what has my seat donation money been used for the past 21 years ? I thought it was originally for stadium payments . Does anyone know ?

Your seat donation does not go toward paying for The Rent, either capital improvements or operating costs. The state of CT pays for that. Your seat donation goes directly toward the support of the FB program, and my guess toward the operational costs. Your season tix includes a modest fee for facilities at UConn. There’s a “facilities fee” on all UConn sports tixs.

 

[Stray_Dog]

Those new metal detectors have been there the last 2 weeks.

If they really want to upgrade the fan experience, invest in really good wife(I did type wifi), a Rentschler Field app that shows all different angles of plays and seat delivery for food and beverages.

sure, but i think the auto-correct is on to something... LOL

 

[uconnfan68]

My good wife has approved of my going to 11 of the 12 regular season games this year. Hard to top that!

12-12

 

[Kolumbo]

So far the Field has 2 new logistics facilities for Lowes and Wayfair and an engineering facility on the way. It will be a huge industrial complex with a football stadium. A very odd end result.

East Hartford Logistics & Technology Park at Rentschler Field - National Development

National Development has completed the first phase of East Hartford Logistics & Technology Park at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT. The project includes 2.5M SF in two buildings and a future phase of approximately 200,000 SF of High-Tech and/or Specialty Manufacturing in phase 2. The site...

natdev.com

 

[Devland]

So far the Field has 2 new logistics facilities for Lowes and Wayfair and an engineering facility on the way. It will be a huge industrial complex with a football stadium. A very odd end result.

East Hartford Logistics & Technology Park at Rentschler Field - National Development

National Development has completed the first phase of East Hartford Logistics & Technology Park at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT. The project includes 2.5M SF in two buildings and a future phase of approximately 200,000 SF of High-Tech and/or Specialty Manufacturing in phase 2. The site...

natdev.com

Except Wayfair isn't moving in. They have been trying to sublet their warehouse space since their change of plans.

 

[Kolumbo]

I suppose they are keeping some land for Rentschler Field parking. That could affect the tailgating situation which is one of the plusses of the location if the long-term plan is to expand stadium capacity. Need to plan for all of the RV's rolling into town!

https://www.cbre.com/properties/properties-for-lease/industrial/details/US-SMPL-78221/east-hartford-logistics-technology-park-at-rentschler-field-475-east-hartford-boulevard-north-east-hartford-ct-06118