UConn:Design,Build & Manage New Rink | Page 3 | The Boneyard

UConn:Design,Build & Manage New Rink

Status
Not open for further replies.
UCONNJACK said:
Per upcoming BOT agenda construction of a $68 million dollars hockey arena is a go. University capital construction projects are a stimulus to the Connecticut economy.
Expand ...
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but i thought they proposed a $45M arena, now 68? Why the difference?
 
UCONNJACK said:
Per upcoming BOT agenda construction of a $68 million dollars hockey arena is a go. University capital construction projects are a stimulus to the Connecticut economy.
Expand ...
powerplay said:
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but i thought they proposed a $45M arena, now 68? Why the difference?
Expand ...
Hopefully more seating. The BOT agenda said every year that a capital construction project is postponed costs rises 4%.
 
Didn't I read somewhere where the geotechnical borings/testing/analysis determined that ground improvements would be required for the proposed building site? Maybe the 68 million includes the below grade ground improvements (helical piers, stone columns, piles.......).
 
68MM for a 2700 seat(according to the director of hockey ops) hockey arena? Hoping for more. Anything less of a venue than what pc has would be awful.
 
.-.
The Quinnipiac University arena consist of twin arenas for basketball and hockey that share a concessions concourse. In 2007 the 180,350 square foot arena cost 52 million dollars. That's approximately $288/SF.
For 68 million, UConn's new arena should be the Taj Mahal. The proposed facility is going to be approximately 105,000 SF. That's approximately $650/SF. Even if the cost is 45 million, that's still $430/SF. That's a big difference compared to the Quinnipiac facility. The benefit of having shared concessions and shared bathrooms between arena's is a huge cost savings when you look at cost per square foot.
 
Last edited:
CTBballfan243 said:
The Quinnipiac University arena consist of twin arenas for basketball and hockey that share a concessions concourse. In 2007 the 180,350 square foot arena cost 52 million dollars. That's approximately $288/SF.
For 68 million, UConn's new arena should be the Taj Mahal. The proposed facility is going to be approximately 105,000 SF. That's approximately $650/SF. Even if the cost is 45 million, that's still $430/SF. That's a big difference compared to the Quinnipiac facility. The benefit of having shared concessions and shared bathrooms between arena's is a huge cost savings when you look at cost per square foot.
Expand ...


They also blew the top off of a mountain to build it!
 
CTBballfan243 said:
If memory serves me, the proposed facility will cost $45 million. 6% for design services is reasonable.
Expand ...
Is that for the small rink (2500-3000?) when HE wants at least 6k? Will all HE be in HCC?
 
And no doubt that was waived since XL is available. Let’s be clear although some fans from Boston area College might not have wanted UConn, Hockey East has wanted them for years. They were not letting the lack of a facility on campus or capacity issues stop UConn from joining. The problem historically was UConn wasn’t interested in spending any money on the program. Zero scholarships. The coach was also the rink manager. Once Malloy decided UConn would make the move all the other stuff was worked out or around.
 
freescooter said:
And no doubt that was waived since XL is available. Let’s be clear although some fans from Boston area College might not have wanted UConn, Hockey East has wanted them for years. They were not letting the lack of a facility on campus or capacity issues stop UConn from joining. The problem historically was UConn wasn’t interested in spending any money on the program. Zero scholarships. The coach was also the rink manager. Once Malloy decided UConn would make the move all the other stuff was worked out or around.
Expand ...
Very true. The barrier was always UConn, not Hockey East. Though, it was fair for Hockey East to have no interest in the years that UConn didn't fund the program, forced them to play in a subpar facility, and as a result the team was one of the worst in the nation. Since UConn decided to back the program as it should, they've been a solid addition to the conference.

As to the capacity of an on-campus rink, COVID definitely complicated the process. I still believe if you're going to build the rink, make it future-responsive. It's difficult to assume that 10 years from now, everyone would be scared to attend a sporting event. With that in mind, spending $68 million for a 2,500-seat arena is not a good investment. It serves little purpose, spend all that money for a brand new facility to host games against Merrimack and Brown while the big games are outsourced to Hartford? Still a dumb idea.

Up the capacity to at least 4-4,500 and include requisite accompaniments such as locker rooms, practice/training space, some form of box seating, and solid A/V capability. In the interim it'd allow for more spacing of fans and down the line would be more suitable as a permanent home.

XL is not a long-term solution for UConn hockey, or UConn sports in general. The basketball teams can easily leave and play 100% of games on campus with little adjustment or ticket demand problems. The hockey team moving to a 2,500-seat arena permanently would pose problems.
 
.-.
brasssbonanzaa said:
Very true. The barrier was always UConn, not Hockey East. Though, it was fair for Hockey East to have no interest in the years that UConn didn't fund the program, forced them to play in a subpar facility, and as a result the team was one of the worst in the nation. Since UConn decided to back the program as it should, they've been a solid addition to the conference.

As to the capacity of an on-campus rink, COVID definitely complicated the process. I still believe if you're going to build the rink, make it future-responsive. It's difficult to assume that 10 years from now, everyone would be scared to attend a sporting event. With that in mind, spending $68 million for a 2,500-seat arena is not a good investment. It serves little purpose, spend all that money for a brand new facility to host games against Merrimack and Brown while the big games are outsourced to Hartford? Still a dumb idea.

Up the capacity to at least 4-4,500 and include requisite accompaniments such as locker rooms, practice/training space, some form of box seating, and solid A/V capability. In the interim it'd allow for more spacing of fans and down the line would be more suitable as a permanent home.

XL is not a long-term solution for UConn hockey, or UConn sports in general. The basketball teams can easily leave and play 100% of games on campus with little adjustment or ticket demand problems. The hockey team moving to a 2,500-seat arena permanently would pose problems.
Expand ...
I sort of get your point but and it is a huge but... for good or ill UConn has committed itself to being something more than most other schools. It has generated lots of goodwill as a result but it also has downsides. UConn athletics Plays to a vastly different audience than do any schools outside the Big Ten. Honestly people in Worcester can barely tell you what UMass’s mascot is. The Rhode Island Legislature passed a resolution wishing Providence succes s in the NCAA tournament when URI was also in the field. BC, BU Northeastern. None of then have the same relationship with the State that UConn does. One of the ways that happens is by playing games outside of Storrs.
 
freescooter said:
I sort of get your point but and it is a huge but... for good or ill UConn has committed itself to being something more than most other schools. It has generated lots of goodwill as a result but it also has downsides. UConn athletics Plays to a vastly different audience than do any schools outside the Big Ten. Honestly people in Worcester can barely tell you what UMass’s mascot is. The Rhode Island Legislature passed a resolution wishing Providence succes s in the NCAA tournament when URI was also in the field. BC, BU Northeastern. None of then have the same relationship with the State that UConn does. One of the ways that happens is by playing games outside of Storrs.
Expand ...
I understand, but the problem is the venue is horrible. Also, the team can't practice there much at all. Players benefit from practicing where they play. From a recruiting standpoint, it's a drawback that will only get worse.
 
brasssbonanzaa said:
I understand, but the problem is the venue is horrible. Also, the team can't practice there much at all. Players benefit from practicing where they play. From a recruiting standpoint, it's a drawback that will only get worse.
Expand ...

I find it so ironic that when folks say that a city and its suburbs need to learn how to work together and such opportunities should be celebrated. Then, there's Hartford and Mansfield. The two cities collaborate to screw UConn - Mansfield blocks any attempt to build large, DI caliber sporting venues in Storrs (football, hockey, basketball) which benefits Hartford's deperate attempt to fix their downtown at the expense of the University.
 
brasssbonanzaa said:
I understand, but the problem is the venue is horrible. Also, the team can't practice there much at all. Players benefit from practicing where they play. From a recruiting standpoint, it's a drawback that will only get worse.
Expand ...
I don’t disagree with the practice issue. As far as the quality of the venue, I’m not sure I totally buy that. I’ve been to a few arenas and it is no worse than many. A little antiseptic maybe. The real problem is sharing with an AHL franchise that gets first dibs on dates and times and 2 basketball teams that get 2nd and 3rd pick. I’m waiting for the time UConn has a home playoff series and has scheduling issues because the Pack is playing a meaningless home stand with Hershey or something.
 
freescooter said:
I don’t disagree with the practice issue. As far as the quality of the venue, I’m not sure I totally buy that. I’ve been to a few arenas and it is no worse than many. A little antiseptic maybe. The real problem is sharing with an AHL franchise that gets first dibs on dates and times and 2 basketball teams that get 2nd and 3rd pick. I’m waiting for the time UConn has a home playoff series and has scheduling issues because the Pack is playing a meaningless home stand with Hershey or something.
Expand ...
XL has the problem of being an aging facility with no "old school charm". As far as Hockey East facilities go, in the "nice facility category" it's decidedly behind BU, UNH, and Lowell. After their recent renovations, PC and BC are both ahead. UVM, Maine, and NU are more desirable in the old school charm aspect - with NU and UVM both renovating or recently renovated. No one tops Alfond in desirability. That leaves UMass and Merrimack as the only places where XL is decidedly a better facility.

The criteria I used here is a mash-up of what will draw a recruit (such as facility/amenity modernity, on-site training, practice use, home crowd atmosphere) and what amenities that will draw a fan (such seat comfort and sight lines, facility environment, fan amenities, in-game A/V capabilities).
 
brasssbonanzaa said:
XL has the problem of being an aging facility with no "old school charm". As far as Hockey East facilities go, in the "nice facility category" it's decidedly behind BU, UNH, and Lowell. After their recent renovations, PC and BC are both ahead. UVM, Maine, and NU are more desirable in the old school charm aspect - with NU and UVM both renovating or recently renovated. No one tops Alfond in desirability. That leaves UMass and Merrimack as the only places where XL is decidedly a better facility.

The criteria I used here is a mash-up of what will draw a recruit (such as facility/amenity modernity, on-site training, practice use, home crowd atmosphere) and what amenities that will draw a fan (such seat comfort and sight lines, facility environment, fan amenities, in-game A/V capabilities).
Expand ...
I don't know. I think a new on campus arena with the ability to 16K fans for big games is a marketable combination. FWIW, it does feel like $68M ought to buy more seats for an on campus arena.
 
.-.
CL82 said:
I don't know. I think a new on campus arena with the ability to 16K fans for big games is a marketable combination. FWIW, it does feel like $68M ought to buy more seats for an on campus arena.
Expand ...
I am of this view too. And I think after a certain point facilities are over rated in recruiting. Yes you want good training facilities but the new facility ought to have the latest. And I’m sure UConn has available facilities even now. And I think “old school charm” in particular is really over rated. I’ve been to Maine. It is a crazy place but not because of the facility. The fans make it. BC doesn’t get recruits because of Kelly Rink. It gets them because Jerry York is the best coach in the business. Put BC in the West Roxbury MDC rink and BC still gets top recruits. The new rink at UConn will be nice and will likely have top flight support facilities. But you can also tell recruits that yeah we will play in front of 7-8000 in Hartford when BC or BU or other national powers come to town.
 
brasssbonanzaa said:
XL has the problem of being an aging facility with no "old school charm". As far as Hockey East facilities go, in the "nice facility category" it's decidedly behind BU, UNH, and Lowell. After their recent renovations, PC and BC are both ahead. UVM, Maine, and NU are more desirable in the old school charm aspect - with NU and UVM both renovating or recently renovated. No one tops Alfond in desirability. That leaves UMass and Merrimack as the only places where XL is decidedly a better facility.

The criteria I used here is a mash-up of what will draw a recruit (such as facility/amenity modernity, on-site training, practice use, home crowd atmosphere) and what amenities that will draw a fan (such seat comfort and sight lines, facility environment, fan amenities, in-game A/V capabilities).
Expand ...
Add "beer sales" under the fan category
 
UCONNJACK said:
New university documents dated July 7, 2020 regarding hockey arena indicates up to 3,500 seats with half being chairbacks.

Expand ...

Decision area says up to 2,700, rest of the doc keeps saying 3,500.

Decision
The University of Connecticut intends to proceed with the Proposed Action, which consists of constructing a
new ice hockey arena on an approximately 12.5-acre site located west of and adjacent to the existing Mark
Edward Freitas Ice Forum on its main campus in Storrs (Mansfield), Connecticut. The site is approximately
half developed today and consists primarily of a surface parking lot (I-Lot), stormwater conveyance, some
wetlands, and rolling, wooded uplands. Construction is anticipated to start in April 2021 and conclude in
Winter 2022/2023.
The Proposed Action consists of the following elements:
 Facilities and ice that would meet NCAA Division 1 Ice Hockey requirements, Hockey East
Conference standards, and University guidelines and requirements.
 Up to 2,700 seats, with up to 50% seatback chairs; the balance being benches and rail seats.
 Locker rooms and office space.
 Parking for up to 360 vehicles with a maximum of up to 700 vehicles pending future parking
demand and funding.
 
zls44 said:
Decision area says up to 2,700, rest of the doc keeps saying 3,500.

Decision
The University of Connecticut intends to proceed with the Proposed Action, which consists of constructing a
new ice hockey arena on an approximately 12.5-acre site located west of and adjacent to the existing Mark
Edward Freitas Ice Forum on its main campus in Storrs (Mansfield), Connecticut. The site is approximately
half developed today and consists primarily of a surface parking lot (I-Lot), stormwater conveyance, some
wetlands, and rolling, wooded uplands. Construction is anticipated to start in April 2021 and conclude in
Winter 2022/2023.
The Proposed Action consists of the following elements:
 Facilities and ice that would meet NCAA Division 1 Ice Hockey requirements, Hockey East
Conference standards, and University guidelines and requirements.
 Up to 2,700 seats, with up to 50% seatback chairs; the balance being benches and rail seats.
 Locker rooms and office space.
 Parking for up to 360 vehicles with a maximum of up to 700 vehicles pending future parking
demand and funding.
Expand ...

Any chance UConn owns the land under EO Smith and can simply take back the lease, level it (it needs to be replaced anyway) and build a 12K Basketball/8 K Hockey combo arena there? Freitas becomes the practice arena and can be used by the community, UConn stps playing games at teh XL except during school breaks, and we call get to watch the Mansfield residents go insane?
 
Mr. Conehead said:
Any chance UConn owns the land under EO Smith and can simply take back the lease, level it (it needs to be replaced anyway) and build a 12K Basketball/8 K Hockey combo arena there?
Expand ...

They used to own the land but gave it to Mansfield back in the 80’s...

There was talk of UConn talking it back and building a new district high school up on the Depot Campus in 2016/2017 but it died...
 
.-.
huskymedic said:
They used to own the land but gave it to Mansfield back in the 80’s...

There was talk of UConn talking it back and building a new district high school up on the Depot Campus in 2016/2017 but it died...
Expand ...

I know, the same folks in Mansfield who complained about the 'bad' influence that UConn students have on their precious, innocent high school children screamed bloody murder about their kids losing access to UConn's facilities if a new high school was build out in Mansfield Depot.
 
When the term "up to 2700" is used does that mean that its the maximum number of seats and it could potentially be less?
 
Sacred Heart's new arena will put ours to shame. Watch their program takeoff.
 
Viet Vet said:
Sacred Heart's new arena will put ours to shame. Watch their program takeoff.
Expand ...
You are putting way to much emphasis on a freakin arena. Kids barely care man
 
.-.
Status
Not open for further replies.

Forum statistics

Threads
168,190
Messages
4,556,231
Members
10,441
Latest member
Virginiafan


Top Bottom