UConn planning upgrades at Gampel Pavilion, but likely passing on $300 million overhaul (Mike Anthony)

[Chin Diesel]

Food for thought. In Field of 68 this morning, there is an article linked,
Auburn is prioritizing NIL over hoops facility upgrades.

In the world of tradeoffs, should NIL ammunition factor into a Gampel decision? Would be pretty sad to end up with a great facility, but less outstanding teams by not competing for players, then less attendance because the probuct results tank.

Except schools don't pay players NIL.

 

[LoyalFanCT]

If we get into B12 and maybe some day B10, both Gampel can be upgraded and a new football stadium can be placed on campus. we can bring back men's swimming and add men's LAX

 

[Kolumbo]

Just build a new arena. It will last 30-40 years if built well and cost less in the long run.

Agreed.

Presenting, the brand new state of the art Brett Yormark Court at Big XII East Pavilion

 

[dvegas]

My guess is if Toscano was built exactly as it was, without this feature, it would have cost $8-$10 million less. Estimating $80-$85 million for a larger capacity Toscano, $150-$170 million for the new basketball facility (considerably larger structure than the ice rink, therefore considerably more concrete) taking into account the economies of scale of two concurrent projects (Q did benefit from their facilities being built as they were) and anywhere between $10-$15 million for sitework, we could have come in under the $300 million with considerable overruns before the sale of naming rights (assuming we could use university owned land).

Thanks for posting. If I wrote the same thing I could end up in a disciplinary hearing lol

 

[nadav]

What would be the biggest hold up in building a new arena, other than money?

Money is pretty key I think.

 

[UCONNJACK]

Assisted access <<

-> For example, UConn had Populous take a hard look at a nearly total makeover of Gampel. A footbridge would connect the arena to the South Garage across Jim Calhoun Way, a secondary concourse would exist in space currently external to the building and office areas would be leveled in favor of merchandising, beer sales and more. Square footage, currently about 228,000, would increase dramatically. The cost estimate came back at north of $300 million. UConn would be better off building from scratch. <-

-> Perhaps first, or at least up high, on the Gampel to-do list is to replace all lower-level seating that is not permanent, which is most of it. The roll-in, roll-out, bleachers — like the court they have surrounded — are nearing the end of their usable life and new seating must be installed in the next two years.

“We’ll maybe replace them as currently configured,” Benedict said. “Or, could we do some different things? Could we create some premium seating that offers nicer chairs, that are padded, wider, more comfortable? Could you maybe create a second row of floor seats, which we’re completely sold out of now? Could you potentially move students courtside versus being on the ends? Those are all things that we’re talking about.”

-> “We need to try to address our premium offerings, which we have very little of, which means, how do we create some club spaces?” Benedict said. “How do we create better points of sale and options from a concession standpoint? And the biggest thing is how our fans can move in and out and around the building, which is difficult, because we don’t have an outer concourse. So it really clogs things up. We want to be sold out and that creates problems with bathrooms and points of sale and concessions.” <-

Newly approved Connecticut budget allocated $10 millions for Gampel. What the $$ is for was not specified in the Hartford Courant article. Any ideas was the $$ is for?

 

[Fishy]

Newly approved Connecticut budget allocated $10 millions for Gampel. What the $$ is for was not specified in the Hartford Courant article. Any ideas was the $$ is for?

Nothing you will notice.

 

[gampelcrazies]

Newly approved Connecticut budget allocated $10 millions for Gampel. What the $$ is for was not specified in the Hartford Courant article. Any ideas was the $$ is for?

Maybe the court? Or scoreboards. The old hockey rink that is turning into the volleyball arena looks like it’s getting Gampels old scoreboards.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

Maybe the court? Or scoreboards. The old hockey rink that is turning into the volleyball arena looks like it’s getting Gampels old scoreboards.

There was mention of making the lower bowl all permanent seats?

 

[uconnric]

Newly approved Connecticut budget allocated $10 millions for Gampel. What the $$ is for was not specified in the Hartford Courant article. Any ideas was the $$ is for?

There are so many things that need attention at Gampel, $10 mil won't get you too much. Seating, concessions, rest rooms, video boards, lack of a concourse behind the seating. You name it, that place needs it. I don't think you'll see funding for a major overhaul or a new arena for at least ten years.

 

[UCONNJACK]

Maybe the court? Or scoreboards. The old hockey rink that is turning into the volleyball arena looks like it’s getting Gampels old scoreboards.

The new court along with new surfaces for field hockey and indoor track were funded with university/athletic $$. The Gampel scoreboards are probably too big for Freitas.

 

[gampelcrazies]

The new court along with new surfaces for field hockey and indoor track were funded with university/athletic $$. The Gampel scoreboards are probably too big for Freitas.

Thats what I thought but if you look at the renderings for Freitas it has those scoreboards in them

 

[zls44]

Thats what I thought but if you look at the renderings for Freitas it has those scoreboards in them

I think that's more a placeholder for whatever board they get rather than literally hauling those ones down the street.

 

[Fishy]

What would be the biggest hold up in building a new arena, other than money?

“What was the major problem in getting the Titanic to port, Captain, you know, other than the iceberg?”

 

[Kolumbo]

“What was the major problem in getting the Titanic to port, Captain, you know, other than the iceberg?”

Ooh, that opens a whole can of worms and bad decisions.