What's the status of the Champions Center?

[Kibitzer]

OK, we know it won't open in April. Or May. And June is sure fading fast.

The construction camera tells us that some work remains to be done out front. I have neither seen nor read anything about the interior. I have seen no announcement about a big Opening Day.

I am in the dark. Can anyone help me (and many other uninformed souls like me) with an update?

 

[jsloanjr]

My gues it late August or early Sept before school starts back.....

 

[jsloanjr]

My gues it late August or early Sept before school starts back.....

 

[Kibitzer]

I would like to see it up and running before Durr makes her visit!

So would Ms Durr.

 

[pap49cba]

Haven't seen any reports on the current status. Clearly, the exterior is basically finished save for some landscaping, etc. Doesn't appear any of the Horde have gotten a tour as yet. At night the place is lit up like a Christmas tree.

My personal guess? End of mid to end of July latest.

P.S. One day not too long ago when I pulled up the construction cam there was a very large flatbed unloading what appeared to be exercise equipment. If that was the case they can't be too far away from opening. Another large flatbed will be needed to move all of the trophies, awards, etc.

 

[jcoton56]

Haven't seen any reports on the current status. Clearly, the exterior is basically finished save for some landscaping, etc. Doesn't appear any of the Horde have gotten a tour as yet. At night the place is lit up like a Christmas tree.

My personal guess? End of mid to end of July latest.

P.S. One day not too long ago when I pulled up the construction cam there was a very large flatbed unloading what appeared to be exercise equipment. If that was the case they can't be too far away from opening. Another large flatbed will be needed to move all of the trophies, awards, etc.

They have built the world's largest trophy case with room to practice!

 

[UConnCat]

I recall Geno saying in an interview after the season that the coaches' offices would be moved late June/early July. I imagine there will be an official opening at some point.

 

[FairView]

The Center has been opened since 1995 – we're just waiting for a new building.

 

[Kibitzer]

The second session of summer school starts on July 7, conveniently following long July 4 weekend.

Let me hazard my guess that July 7 might just be an appropriate day for the official opening.

And start of pickup games, weight lifting, and limited coaching in the new Champions Center.

 

[pap49cba]

Jim Fuller @NHRJimFuller · 42m
#UConn AD Warde Manuel said basketball practice facility will be done either this week or next week

 

[DaddyChoc]

welp... there's your answer Kib. BTW does anyone have a live camera link

 

[WesternPaFan]

Should have a web cam on the ladies floor...would be great to see the pick up games!!....Anyone a real,real,real close friend of Genos.

 

[Kibitzer]

Jim Fuller @NHRJimFuller · 42m
#UConn AD Warde Manuel said basketball practice facility will be done either this week or next week

Now I wonder if there will be some sort of a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Certainly the facility could begin operations with punch-card work still taking place (e.g., plantings outside, picture-hanging and touch-up painting inside, players occupy lockers, etc.).

What a boost to recruiting this will be!

Also no more need for men and women to share the floor at Gampel for practices.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Now I wonder if there will be some sort of a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Certainly the facility could begin operations with punch-card work still taking place (e.g., plantings outside, picture-hanging and touch-up painting inside, players occupy lockers, etc.).

What a boost to recruiting this will be!

Also no more need for men and women to share the floor at Gampel for practices.

but it locks out "scrimmage scouts"... damn it

 

[Kibitzer]

Jim Fuller @NHRJimFuller · 42m
#UConn AD Warde Manuel said basketball practice facility will be done either this week or next week

AD Manuel's projection seems to be disingenuous at best. The above post was dated June 18 and the words "done" and "open for business" are not necessarily synonymous.

The players must be doing pickups in Gampel when not visiting middle schools or volunteering to spend a Saturday watching Geno and other guys hit golf balls.

The construction cam shows only that some workers are dressing up the entrance and somebody has all the lights on for whatever reason at night.

I await some big announcement about a ribbon-cutting date, then interviews by the horde quoting "oohs" and "aahs" by the players as soon as they check it out.

I hold with my prediction that July 7 will be the Big Day. No matter what Mr. Manuel says.

 

[Blueballer]

Short Instagram Video from yesterday

http://instagram.com/p/prJG2ts98A/

At the Champions Center Site there is a feed in the scrollable windows at the top of the page . One of the windows appears to be a real-time webcam of the front of the facility. You can see cars driving by now and then.

http://www.uconnbasketballcenter.com/

The best Live Video Feed is this one at the UCONN Athletics Site (Camera must be mounted on parking garage across the street.)

http://www.uconnhuskies.com/facilities/live-cam.html

 

[Blueballer]

welp... there's your answer Kib. BTW does anyone have a live camera link

Just Posted above Daddy. Take your pick. Last one is the best.

 

[Kibitzer]

At the Champions Center Site there is a feed in the scrollable windows at the top of the page . One of the windows appears to be a real-time webcam of the front of the facility. You can see cars driving by now and then.

http://www.uconnbasketballcenter.com/

The best Live Video Feed is this one at the UCONN Athletics Site (Camera must be mounted on parking garage across the street.)

http://www.uconnhuskies.com/facilities/live-cam.html

The construction cam shows only that some workers are dressing up the entrance and somebody has all the lights on for whatever reason at night.

Thank you for the link to the construction cam (first quoted message). It may be useful to others, but I already referred to it (second quoted message). Watching it is like watching paint dry.

I am just eager for this incomparable facility to be completely open, especially when hosting visiting blue-chip recruits.

Perhaps they should provide an LOI sign-in site by the exit?

 

[pap49cba]

Dom Amore @AmoreCourant · 8h
Finishing touches on basketball training center. Teams will begin moving in sometime in July #uconn pic.twitter.com/yRFVRogInw

 

[Kibitzer]

Progress!

As of July 2. Work nearly completed in the terrace by the main entrance. The blue screen (see pic in preceding post) has been removed along with the fence holding it up; presumably the Jersey barriers will go soon.

I have no knowledge of progress inside so I look for a report from the horde when they are taken on a walk-through.

Can't say "The end is in sight," because this facility is being promoted as "a new beginnning."

My WAG about grand opening was July 7. Maybe optimistic, but also maybe close. Stay tuned!

 

[warbler1055]

There is a storm warning for this Friday, so work might be delayed but the building is really impressive. There is lots of construction going on at the UConn entrance and the new Mansfield Center.

 

[2ndCity]

Just checked and they're washing the windows... definitely one the last things on
a to-do list.

 

[slimmer56]

The storm may be a grade 2 hurricane late Thurs or early Fri. The NC Outer Banks (Nags Head, Kitty Hawk etc) is supposed to get slammed pretty good. I just hope I do not lose power and satellite. I live approx. 80 miles inland. I haven't heard what is expected for CT. Latest expectation is straight up the Eastern Seaboard.
I hope the New Jersey coast is safe this time.

I have been to Gampel several times to watch the women's juggernaut just roll over teams. Where is the Champion's Center in relation to Gampel ?

 

[rford53]

The storm may be a grade 2 hurricane late Thurs or early Fri. The NC Outer Banks (Nags Head, Kitty Hawk etc) is supposed to get slammed pretty good. I just hope I do not lose power and satellite. I live approx. 80 miles inland. I haven't heard what is expected for CT. Latest expectation is straight up the Eastern Seaboard.
I hope the New Jersey coast is safe this time.

I have been to Gampel several times to watch the women's juggernaut just roll over teams. Where is the Champion's Center in relation to Gampel ?

The Champion's Center is immediately south of Gampel. It looks like there is a connecting hallway or tunnel into Gampel to utilize new locker rooms, etc.

 

[FairView]

It's just a DT3 buzzer-beating shot away.

http://www.uconnhuskies.com/facilities/live-cam.html