XL improvements? | Page 2 | The Boneyard

XL improvements?

Inside, there's almost zero effect on concourse space. There's a giant construction wall covering where you'd enter from that previous entrance/atrium, but no impact other than annoyance and you can only enter/exit through one main entrance and multiple small side entrances.

This is more of my long-term concern.

Even when the renovation is complete, that blocked off area is going to be the sportsbook. Its going to be much harder to walk through there than before.
 
Which raises the question of why you would do renovations during the season as opposed to the summer when there is nothing going on there.

The pictures that were posted on twitter were not posted for the reason “Hey look at the new renovations at the XL!” They were posted because it looks like crap, and it it yet another example that no one seems to know what the plan is for the XL.
They have been working on this since at least June when I started going back to the office.
 
This is more of my long-term concern.

Even when the renovation is complete, that blocked off area is going to be the sportsbook. It’s going to be much harder to walk through there than before.
I’ve heard the concourse will wrap around, they just need to block it off temporarily for demo/construction.
 
7F2E5EFC-A3F6-4ED7-9240-65F6D6B16B1A.jpeg

The layout from the CRDA website. The new sports book on the left, the previous layout on the right.
 
View attachment 79663
The layout from the CRDA website. The new sports book on the left, the previous layout on the right.
Yes. It’s probably going to look great when done. It’s just unfortunate some people are so inept at selecting construction/planning contracts - this is why this thread exists. It should’ve been finished before anyone uses the arena.
 
The CDRA seems to lack any cohesive element in it’s management plans. It would have failed and been disbanded long ago but for the University as a captive tenant paying above market rents and the access to virtually unlimited funds. When nothing you touch turns a profit, typically management is to blame.
 
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Seems like a one year renewal is because OVG is likely to enter into a public/private agreement with the city and state to get the full/fuller renovation done. That deal has to get approved by the governments/legislature and so the one year deal makes sense in that context. Good signs to finally updating the XL.
 
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So this thing is only going to be open during games? seems like a waste
It makes the Sunday afternoon games more interesting for some I would think. They better have a good pub attached. From my observation, casino sportsbooks are ghost towns; probably because you can bet on your phone.
 
From my observation, casino sportsbooks are ghost towns; probably because you can bet on your phone.
This.

This seems like another exercise in CDRA halfassery. It is an idea that is out of date that will likely not recoup it’s capital outlay.
 
At this point, anything that will improve the space is at least something, but it is also another way to kick the can down the road to avoid making a decision on what to do about the XL.
 
Is going to be open when the betting space is, which isn't only during games. Think OTB hours.

Nope.

They have repeatedly said it will only be open during events.
 
Nope.

They have repeatedly said it will only be open during events.
The CRDA website states:
"This facility will operate on both event and non-event days, providing a vibrant new lounge space for patrons with a view of the arena bowl."

And the Hartford Buisness Journal:
"The venue would operate seven days a week, even when events aren’t taking place at the XL Center, Freimuth said."
 
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The CRDA website states:
"This facility will operate on both event and non-event days, providing a vibrant new lounge space for patrons with a view of the arena bowl."

And the Hartford Buisness Journal:
"The venue would operate seven days a week, even when events aren’t taking place at the XL Center, Freimuth said."

By nature, I hate to be a pessimist, but one situation I always am one is with anything to do with CRDA.

My guess is it will be a ghost-town on non-event days. And they know it. But will be fully staffed to continue to drain max money from the taxpayers of CT. The CRDA way.
 
By nature, I hate to be a pessimist, but one situation I always am one is with anything to do with CRDA.

My guess is it will be a ghost-town on non-event days. And they know it. But will be fully staffed to continue to drain max money from the taxpayers of CT. The CRDA way.
Kind of like the Teletheatre near Bradley
 
Sure. Not disagreeing you can keep a venue open while actively repairing it. Truth be told, inconveniencing fans by choking access and rerouting them is a great way to make them "feel" the pain of improvements. Unfortunately, I don't think that's the case here. This feels more like a F-em statement towards patrons.
I was there in person tonight and bravely walked the entire length back and forth. My MBB season tickets are right there. It is in no way a "F-em statement towards patrons". Anyone trying to present it as such is a dishonest clown.
 
Apologies, thought Id seen articles where they said theyd only staff it for events.
 
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I was there in person tonight and bravely walked the entire length back and forth. My MBB season tickets are right there. It is in no way a "F-em statement towards patrons". Anyone trying to present it as such is a dishonest clown.
I have yet to see it but it’s gotta be a mess no? Sure for smaller crowds it won’t be a huge issue but for sellouts I gotta believe it’s going to cram the concourse up more.
 
I have yet to see it but it’s gotta be a mess no? Sure for smaller crowds it won’t be a huge issue but for sellouts I gotta believe it’s going to cram the concourse up more.
Yes, it's not as wide so some patience will be needed at halftime and game end.
 
Yes, it's not as wide so some patience will be needed at halftime and game end.
God forbid that building ever needs to get evacuated quickly.
 
God forbid that building ever needs to get evacuated quickly.
It's safer in the current configuration I would think. In an evacuation, those old portals could have created a dangerous bottleneck.
 
By nature, I hate to be a pessimist, but one situation I always am one is with anything to do with CRDA.

My guess is it will be a ghost-town on non-event days. And they know it. But will be fully staffed to continue to drain max money from the taxpayers of CT. The CRDA way.

plus probably charging the AD for the privilege, either directly or indirectly.
 
God forbid that building ever needs to get evacuated quickly.
In the need of an evacuation there should never be people going in two directions from any point. There are four exits around the perimeter, get to the closest one.

It could bottle up leaving a game or at halftime bc people will travel in both directions, at the end of game people aren’t looking for nearest exit, but the one closest to where they’re parked. In a real emergency your first thought should be to get out by any means necessary.
 
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