With graduation moving to Zable, there really is no need for such a big basketball arena. UMBC is opening a new arena today, seats 5,000 and cost 85 million. Only 3/4ths of an arena like Kaplan, but overall a nice facility.

https://fm.umbc.edu/projects/event-center/

https://i.redd.it/rp75mjcn68d01.jpg

Our athletic budget is 26 million, theirs is just 16, but they don't have football. They also often pull only 500 or so spectators to their basketball games, so I'm kinda surprised they shelled out the dough for a new arena.

Something similar to this, maybe with student seating to fill out the arena and luxury boxes between levels, could be nice for W&M.

I like Towson's arena as a bit better model as it has seating on all sides, but given what we have in the Hall certainly would not turn down this either.

Not sure what you are proposing; starting over or turning Kaplan into this?

Kaplan has good bones and can be converted to something much easier on the eyes, outside and in.

-Ditch the seats in the highest sections (banners to obscure/convert to offices/whatever)
-add luxury boxes/lounges similar to UofR in the corners
-fill in the loading dock with some sort of seating
-Get seats courtside around the whole arena (like almost all basketball arenas)
-Fix the lighting to focus illumination toward the court only (see above)
-Enclose the facade in glass similar to the upcoming renovation of PBK

No overhead scoreboard for a new arena? Not good.

The America Least has some nice arenas.

The announcement of Zable as the new graduation location also mentioned having Kaplan Arena as the official backup facility in case of heavy rain or thunder storms/warnings. So they still need Kaplan as a back up for 10,000 people.

That would possibly put a crimp in the renovations being discussed here.

(01-31-2018 07:18 AM)BigTribe3 Wrote:  The announcement of Zable as the new graduation location also mentioned having Kaplan Arena as the official backup facility in case of heavy rain or thunder storms/warnings. So they still need Kaplan as a back up for 10,000 people.

That would possibly put a crimp in the renovations being discussed here.

Id be surprised they avoid shrinking the seating simply to have a rarely needed rain-date backup venue. I think that quoted number is largely given to help quantify the changes. What do other universities do? My guess is they send the families to their respective departmental ceremonies and livestream the speech.

Regardless, Im sure a creative architect could maintain much of the temporary seating #s, even with many of the changes.

(01-31-2018 08:30 AM)nogretheogre Wrote:  

(01-31-2018 07:18 AM)BigTribe3 Wrote:  The announcement of Zable as the new graduation location also mentioned having Kaplan Arena as the official backup facility in case of heavy rain or thunder storms/warnings. So they still need Kaplan as a back up for 10,000 people.

That would possibly put a crimp in the renovations being discussed here.

Id be surprised they avoid shrinking the seating simply to have a rarely needed rain-date backup venue. I think that quoted number is largely given to help quantify the changes. What do other universities do? My guess is they send the families to their respective departmental ceremonies and livestream the speech.

Regardless, Im sure a creative architect could maintain much of the temporary seating #s, even with many of the changes.

Forgive me if I've missed some news, but is anyone other than a few posters on this board seriously discussing altering Kaplan in any way for any purpose?

(01-30-2018 03:22 PM)TDenverFan Wrote:  They also often pull only 500 or so spectators to their basketball games, so I'm kinda surprised they shelled out the dough for a new arena.

They average 686, which is 325th out of 351. Last season they averaged 900.

(01-31-2018 10:13 AM)WM Beancounter Wrote:  

(01-31-2018 08:30 AM)nogretheogre Wrote:  

(01-31-2018 07:18 AM)BigTribe3 Wrote:  The announcement of Zable as the new graduation location also mentioned having Kaplan Arena as the official backup facility in case of heavy rain or thunder storms/warnings. So they still need Kaplan as a back up for 10,000 people.

That would possibly put a crimp in the renovations being discussed here.

Id be surprised they avoid shrinking the seating simply to have a rarely needed rain-date backup venue. I think that quoted number is largely given to help quantify the changes. What do other universities do? My guess is they send the families to their respective departmental ceremonies and livestream the speech.

Regardless, Im sure a creative architect could maintain much of the temporary seating #s, even with many of the changes.

Forgive me if I've missed some news, but is anyone other than a few posters on this board seriously discussing altering Kaplan in any way for any purpose?

While I am far from an insider, I believe that there is a general discussion going on about how to improve the game-day experience at Kaplan. The discussion about altering Kaplan appears to be a derivative of that discussion.

As an example the score board is video capable, but as I understand it the roof/cabellling of Kaplan needs some modifications in order to support that. Another example might be to add an area for premium seating/amenities.

As one goes to other arenas that have been updated such as the Robbins Center, the trend is to reduce seating to add game-day enhancing areas. I don't know for sure, but it seems that these types of observations are driving the discussion.

I could be wrong, but from a very old understanding, not all of the original plan for Kaplan has ever been installed.

I think the administration has a priority on a proposed multi-sport practice facility. The next discussion might be whether to renovate or re-build Kaplan.

"I believe that there is a general discussion going on about how to improve the game-day experience at Kaplan"

"I think the administration has a priority on a proposed multi-sport practice facility"

"I don't know for sure, but it seems that these types of observations are driving the discussion."

Once again, I'm asking if anyone knows of any concrete proof that there is a movement afoot to actually renovate Kaplan or build a new structure. I'm looking for a press release, a vehicle for fundraising, a footnote in a master plan document, or even a public statement of interest by someone in the administration or a WM benefactor with $$MONEY$$. "I believe" and "I think" are well and nice, but I'm searching for anything tangible here.

This is from For the Bold campaign website. Nothing on Kapan though.

Multisport Practice Facility | $20 million
Provide a practice venue for men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams.

(01-31-2018 01:18 PM)WM Beancounter Wrote:  "I believe that there is a general discussion going on about how to improve the game-day experience at Kaplan"

"I think the administration has a priority on a proposed multi-sport practice facility"

"I don't know for sure, but it seems that these types of observations are driving the discussion."

Once again, I'm asking if anyone knows of any concrete proof that there is a movement afoot to actually renovate Kaplan or build a new structure. I'm looking for a press release, a vehicle for fundraising, a footnote in a master plan document, or even a public statement of interest by someone in the administration or a WM benefactor with $$MONEY$$. "I believe" and "I think" are well and nice, but I'm searching for anything tangible here.

“You have to speak it into existence.” Nathan Knight

Seriously though, you are correct. I dont know of any true movement toward a renovated Kaplan. Its wishful thinking, but I always saw the "multisport practice facility" being an addition/wing to the building (north facade), which could drop the price of the arena renovation somewhat.

(01-30-2018 05:54 PM)geewizNU Wrote:  No overhead scoreboard for a new arena? Not good.

The America Least has some nice arenas.

TD in Charleston has never had a overhead scoreboard. All we have is a small videoboard on one side of the court.

Panoramic arena shot of new UMBC arena. Actually looks pretty nice if you ask me.

https://twitter.com/MorganAdsit/status/9...3932529666

Towson's Arena is still the look and feel of a great Mid-Major arena.

Delaware did a nice thing with their arena by having luxury box suites at the first concourse level. That would be easy to do at Kaplan.

(02-02-2018 10:15 AM)Mrs. Got Ribe Wrote:  Delaware did a nice thing with their arena by having luxury box suites at the first concourse level. That would be easy to do at Kaplan.

UR did an awesome job renovating the Robins Center.
No reason the same approach / Blueprint could not be used for Kaplan.
IMO.

(02-03-2018 09:02 AM)jmufbs Wrote:  

(02-02-2018 10:15 AM)Mrs. Got Ribe Wrote:  Delaware did a nice thing with their arena by having luxury box suites at the first concourse level. That would be easy to do at Kaplan.

UR did an awesome job renovating the Robins Center.
No reason the same approach / Blueprint could not be used for Kaplan.
IMO.

Yep, we have pointed to UR’s renovation as the blueprint of what we can do.

Practice facility ... Rutgers style:

http://scarletknights.com/sports/2018/2/...enter.aspx