I really, really hope they don't go with option 1. Oval seating bowls are so... old. As for the capacity, you can only do so much with a modest sized building. At the moment, Houston is a long way from filling even a 7,000 seat arena, so they will focus on premium seating and maximize revenue. I do believe Kelvin Sampson will have Houston in the NCAA Tournament within 3 years, and if he sticks around and Houston gets its revamped arena, Cougar basketball will become a hot ticket once again.

(05-21-2015 12:07 AM)robertfoshizzle Wrote:  I really, really hope they don't go with option 1. Oval seating bowls are so... old. As for the capacity, you can only do so much with a modest sized building. At the moment, Houston is a long way from filling even a 7,000 seat arena, so they will focus on premium seating and maximize revenue. I do believe Kelvin Sampson will have Houston in the NCAA Tournament within 3 years, and if he sticks around and Houston gets its revamped arena, Cougar basketball will become a hot ticket once again.

Agree. The seating numbers being tossed around are fine. We don't need a huge place. When we are selling 7k tickets to all our games we can expand or move games off campus if need be. Right now---that's a long way off. For now, we need an arena that looks good with 4-5K in it.

(05-21-2015 12:49 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(05-21-2015 12:07 AM)robertfoshizzle Wrote:  I really, really hope they don't go with option 1. Oval seating bowls are so... old. As for the capacity, you can only do so much with a modest sized building. At the moment, Houston is a long way from filling even a 7,000 seat arena, so they will focus on premium seating and maximize revenue. I do believe Kelvin Sampson will have Houston in the NCAA Tournament within 3 years, and if he sticks around and Houston gets its revamped arena, Cougar basketball will become a hot ticket once again.

Agree. The seating numbers being tossed around are fine. We don't need a huge place. When we are selling 7k tickets to all our games we can expand or move games off campus if need be. Right now---that's a long way off. For now, we need an arena that looks good with 4-5K in it.

well, no matter how you look at it from a design/capacity level, Houston putting up big $ towards its basketball program is a good thing. Good Job Houston!

Is the name going to be changed to BUCKETECU Arena?

(05-20-2015 09:25 PM)AirRaid Wrote:  7400 seats is a little weak. 8000 would be perfect for us.

That's "old time" thinking.

Today, regardless of facility, its all about PREMIUM SEATING creating PREMIUM REVENUE.

Just adding 100-200 (UH is adding much more) new premium seats, (suites, clubs, loges, etc...all with high $$ amenities like restaurants, clubs, premium food/beverage, etc..), can easily bring in more $$$ than 1,000 "general" seating (and general concession), seats that many times never get filled (i.e. like obviously in UH's case).

Total capacity/seating doesn't mean much in today's world...as the strive for new $$$$ almost all revolve around premium seating...(let alone general attendance for many sporting events are in a decline, as many that use to fill the "cheap" seats are now enjoying games at home on their 60" plus screens).

(05-20-2015 09:14 PM)CougarRed Wrote:  

(05-20-2015 08:40 PM)UHCougar07 Wrote:  I like the idea of option 3 on the feasibility study. option 2 is my second choice which is shown above. Go big or go home. This is UH, and we strive for the best.

Option 3 is not in the cards.

That extra $25M in roof expense just to have concerts will likely be spent instead on a new indoor football practice facility and weight room.

Here is the presentation which discussess all three options. Option 2 will likely be chosen.

It would be nice if we went ahead and ponied up the money for option 3. If Herman can produce the type of season we expect from him, I am sure we could raise the money for the football needs from donations.

Option 2 would be awesome. I've never liked that oval configuration.

First football, now bball. Go Coogs!

I can't help but think how awesome the AAC can become... most of our schools are either expanding, upgrading, or building new facilities. Future very bright.

(05-20-2015 09:14 PM)CougarRed Wrote:  

(05-20-2015 08:40 PM)UHCougar07 Wrote:  I like the idea of option 3 on the feasibility study. option 2 is my second choice which is shown above. Go big or go home. This is UH, and we strive for the best.

Option 3 is not in the cards.

That extra $25M in roof expense just to have concerts will likely be spent instead on a new indoor football practice facility and weight room.

Here is the presentation which discussess all three options. Option 2 will likely be chosen.

I prefer 3 because I think over the long haul, having a midrange sized concert venue (smaller than Toyota Center but bigger than Bayou Place or House of Blues) will provide a solid year around income stream to athletics.

(05-20-2015 09:30 PM)Pony94 Wrote:  

(05-20-2015 09:28 PM)AirRaid Wrote:  

(05-20-2015 09:26 PM)CougarRed Wrote:  

(05-20-2015 09:25 PM)AirRaid Wrote:  7400 seats is a little weak. 8000 would be perfect for us.

SMU has 6800 actual seats and it was a smashing success.

SMU is way smaller than we are. We have 3x the enrollment.

We have 100x the attendance

And 1000x the snobbery

The Board of Regents took no action today with respect to the three options although, according to our beat writer, the 3rd opion (more expensive than the other options by $25M+) to convert Hofheinz into a multipurpose arena for concert use is "unlikely."

The Board has rescheduled the issue for August when a financing plan will be discussed.

Article

So, I'm assuming that $3.5M of that cost will be for the 6000 mannequins, right?


I kid...

good to spend the money, but if they go oval it is a waste of time and dough. You gotta get people on the court -

and if they don't have at least 2/3 of the down low seating for the kids - it won't work. The reason SMU's works is because the kids are the show.

might want to try beer also

This is great news for Houston and I agree with everyone else, option 2 is a must. I hope the coogs get option 3 because that would solve the low roof problem.

(05-21-2015 05:56 PM)CougarRed Wrote:  The Board of Regents took no action today with respect to the three options although, according to our beat writer, the 3rd opion (more expensive than the other options by $25M+) to convert Hofheinz into a multipurpose arena for concert use is "unlikely."

The Board has rescheduled the issue for August when a financing plan will be discussed.

Article

I don't understand what the "bunker club" is.
Sounds like Option 2 is better than Option 1, but not knowing what a bunker club is, I could be wrong.

A renovated Hofheinz would be great for UH. Hoping they pick a plan and do it up as nice as the new football stadium.

(05-22-2015 08:16 AM)CalallenStang Wrote:  

(05-21-2015 05:56 PM)CougarRed Wrote:  The Board of Regents took no action today with respect to the three options although, according to our beat writer, the 3rd opion (more expensive than the other options by $25M+) to convert Hofheinz into a multipurpose arena for concert use is "unlikely."

The Board has rescheduled the issue for August when a financing plan will be discussed.

Article

I don't understand what the "bunker club" is.
Sounds like Option 2 is better than Option 1, but not knowing what a bunker club is, I could be wrong.

A renovated Hofheinz would be great for UH. Hoping they pick a plan and do it up as nice as the new football stadium.

Believe "bunker club" is the Premium VIP Club "underneath" the low level grandstands (i.e. in a bunker).

Most NBA Arenas have clubs like that were those in VIP seats in the first few rows go for food/drinks are served (usually free, i.e. pre paid by all the premium charges).

A Bunker Club is simply a club at floor level located under the stands. Here's one Ole Miss is building:

Very interesting. The SMU high dollar club areas are at concourse (ground) level and one level above. Never been to the one above, but the one at concourse level looks quite a bit like that Ole Miss rendering. If that's what a bunker club is, go for it.

I have a chubb.