While some question size of new UConn hockey arena, data shows attendance is slipping (Courant) | The Boneyard

While some question size of new UConn hockey arena, data shows attendance is slipping (Courant)

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While some question size of new UConn hockey arena, data shows attendance is slipping (more details in article):

>>When UConn’s Board of Trustees approved plans recently to spend $45 million on a 2,500-seat hockey arena on campus, many Huskies fans asked the same question: Will that really be enough seats?

The answer, based on a review of UConn hockey attendance figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request: It’s complicated.

Since joining the Hockey East conference in 2014-15, UConn men’s hockey has never drawn an announced attendance of fewer than 2,500 fans to a game at the XL Center. However, the number of fans who actually show up to games has typically been much lower than the announced figure (which counts tickets distributed, not tickets used). Over the past four years, the number of tickets scanned at the XL Center entrance has been less than 2,500 on 15 occasions, including nine times out of 15 games last season.

In other words, more than half of the Huskies’ crowds in 2017-18 would have fit into the new, smaller building.<<
 

Dooley

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My gripe is two-fold. If we are going to spend $45M to build something, let's build something right. We penny pinch football - dead last in the AAC paying our football coach - and look at the results. Either build the best in Hockey East or continue to petition HE that the XL is fine...then put some of that $45M into hiring a FBS level football coaching staff. $45M on a part-time hockey facility is a waste of money. Would rather spend $70M (or whatever) to build the best Hockey East facility than penny pinch for a bottom HE facility.
 
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Mike Anthony: Guess what? UConn's plans for on-campus hockey rink are more than adequate

>>Plans for the Storrs building have changed, slightly. The amount approved for the project is up to $56 million, and 2,500 seats is a minimum. Maybe the new arena actually will have 2,750 seats. And, for sure, there will be several hundred standing-room-only tickets for sale, pushing capacity well over 3,000. The building is being constructed in a way that will allow for future expansion.<<

>>What the Huskies do not have is a practice facility, and that, first and foremost, is what this project is about. For six years now, Cavanaugh has recruited while having to essentially hide what his program is working with. Freitas Ice Forum is a logistical nightmare where 52 players (26 men, 26 women) stretch in the lobby and are tended to in a training room that can comfortably hold three.

It’s a joke, one that will finally end in year nine or 10 of Cavanaugh’s tenure.

Few have suggested UConn didn’t need a facility upgrade or an on-campus arena. The concerns aren’t even with gameday atmosphere, which will be vibrant. They have to do with tickets available and, to a lesser extent, actual seatbacks. There is a plan for 500 seatbacks, the rest bleachers, and UConn is expected to explore tweaking plans so all the seats between the blue lines are seatbacks. That is necessary.<<
 
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"Maybe the new arena will have 2,750 seats."
"BUT IT'LL HAVE STANDING ROOM ONLY TOO TO REALLY PUT THE CHERRY ON TOP!"
"UConn is spending $50-60M to build a place so the team doesn't have to stretch in a lobby, but still has to bus half an hour on Tuesday at 7 to play in a 43-year-old 25% full AHL rink."



Sounds like there's a wonderful plan here.
 

HuskyHawk

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So let's make a decision to build an on campus arena that only works if XL center is rebuilt or dramatically renovated and remains our primary home ice venue. So short sighted. Build something that can be our permanent home ice, because there is no indication that anybody is going to fix XL. And if they demolish it, even to rebuild, we are screwed.
 
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"Maybe the new arena will have 2,750 seats."
"BUT IT'LL HAVE STANDING ROOM ONLY TOO TO REALLY PUT THE CHERRY ON TOP!"
"UConn is spending $50-60M to build a place so the team doesn't have to stretch in a lobby, but still has to bus half an hour on Tuesday at 7 to play in a 43-year-old 25% full AHL rink."



Sounds like there's a wonderful plan here.
Northeastern is doing well with Matthews, these days.

Old rinks might appeal to some. Princeton is playing well, too. But old rinks might only go so far. Not sure what to make of XL due to size.
 
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Northeastern is doing well with Matthews, these days.

Old rinks might appeal to some. Princeton is playing well, too. But old rinks might only go so far. Not sure what to make of XL due to size.
XL doesn't belong in the same sentence as Matthews, as well as Alfond and the Gut as far as quality college venues. All three have numerous redeeming qualities that overshadow them being old. Also, Northeastern recently did a fairly extensive renovation of Matthews.
 

CL82

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My gripe is two-fold. If we are going to spend $45M to build something, let's build something right. We penny pinch football - dead last in the AAC paying our football coach - and look at the results. Either build the best in Hockey East or continue to petition HE that the XL is fine...then put some of that $45M into hiring a FBS level football coaching staff. $45M on a part-time hockey facility is a waste of money. Would rather spend $70M (or whatever) to build the best Hockey East facility than penny pinch for a bottom HE facility.
For a nominal contribution of $25 million you can make that happen.
 

CL82

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>>Plans for the Storrs building have changed, slightly. The amount approved for the project is up to $56 million, and 2,500 seats is a minimum. Maybe the new arena actually will have 2,750 seats. And, for sure, there will be several hundred standing-room-only tickets for sale, pushing capacity well over 3,000. The building is being constructed in a way that will allow for future expansion.<<
I don't have a problem with this, especially if their are chairbacks between the blue lines.
 

SubbaBub

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"Maybe the new arena will have 2,750 seats."
"BUT IT'LL HAVE STANDING ROOM ONLY TOO TO REALLY PUT THE CHERRY ON TOP!"
"UConn is spending $50-60M to build a place so the team doesn't have to stretch in a lobby, but still has to bus half an hour on Tuesday at 7 to play in a 43-year-old 25% full AHL rink."



Sounds like there's a wonderful plan here.


Penn State is the ice house benchmark. it holds 6000 and cost $90M in 2013.

UConn is getting good value here at 3k. 4k would be nice but where is the extra 10M coming from right now?

The practice facility is key. They can still play games at XL for nights they expect more people. It's a justifiable decision.
 

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