$15.3M, 46K sq ft, two stories and will include team locker room, coaches offices, weight room, training room, nutrition area, and study areas. The field house will also open up to a new turf practice field.

Huge step for UAB football and about freaking time. Note that this was only done because of serious arm twisting from the B'ham business executives and because we didn't make a fuss over who Bryant's replacement on the Board would be.

We are also doing a $1M upgrade to our softball field (thanks to a $1M donation) by adding a 1,000 seat grandstand behind home plate, putting in a new press box, and moving existing bleacher seating to the outfield.

Full Board will vote on this tomorrow.

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2016/...acili.html

Welcome to the real world.(NO disrespect intended)

another big step for UAB. in 10 years, we will all look back upon the Watts/Bryant murder attempt as the moment that set you free.

Heartiest congratulations to our longtime friends at uab.

Thank you. They woke the dragon.

(02-05-2016 06:14 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Welcome to the real world.(NO disrespect intended)

Yeah I know it's something all of you guys have had for awhile, but it's a big step for UAB. Our coaches have been operating out of a converted dentist office with a grass practice field that has holes in it. That's what makes the job he's doing even more impressive.

What's the word on a new stadium???

(02-08-2016 10:20 AM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  What's the word on a new stadium???

The new stadium will be on the opposite end of the Convention Complex from the Legacy Arena, across the street from Westin/Sheraton Hotels and Uptown entertainment district. Current plans are for a 50-55,000 open air facility, possibly with some temporary expandability capability for large events.

Right now, Populous (formerly HOK Sports) is doing conceptual designs as well as a plan to update the entire complex, including Legacy Arena.

Those designs/plans are due to be completed by April 2016.

(02-08-2016 12:13 PM)blazerjay Wrote:  

(02-08-2016 10:20 AM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  What's the word on a new stadium???

The new stadium will be on the opposite end of the Convention Complex from the Legacy Arena, across the street from Westin/Sheraton Hotels and Uptown entertainment district.

Right now, Populous (formerly HOK Sports) is doing conceptual designs as well as a plan to update the entire complex, including Legacy Arena.

Those designs/plans are due to be completed by April 2016.

NICE!!!! Capacity going to be around 30,000?

(02-08-2016 12:17 PM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  

(02-08-2016 12:13 PM)blazerjay Wrote:  

(02-08-2016 10:20 AM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  What's the word on a new stadium???

The new stadium will be on the opposite end of the Convention Complex from the Legacy Arena, across the street from Westin/Sheraton Hotels and Uptown entertainment district.

Right now, Populous (formerly HOK Sports) is doing conceptual designs as well as a plan to update the entire complex, including Legacy Arena.

Those designs/plans are due to be completed by April 2016.

NICE!!!! Capacity going to be around 30,000?

No, the size keeps growing. It started at 40,000...now is up to 50-55,000 for various reasons including the bowl game and the Magic City Classic (Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State) that regularly draws an almost full stadium at Legion Field.

(02-05-2016 06:14 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Welcome to the real world.(NO disrespect intended)

No, I agree, it feels good to have big projects being green lit and to join the rest of CFB with something larger than a dentist office. Hell, Hoover High School had better facilities than us

(02-08-2016 12:29 PM)blazerjay Wrote:  

(02-08-2016 12:17 PM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  

(02-08-2016 12:13 PM)blazerjay Wrote:  

(02-08-2016 10:20 AM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  What's the word on a new stadium???

The new stadium will be on the opposite end of the Convention Complex from the Legacy Arena, across the street from Westin/Sheraton Hotels and Uptown entertainment district.

Right now, Populous (formerly HOK Sports) is doing conceptual designs as well as a plan to update the entire complex, including Legacy Arena.

Those designs/plans are due to be completed by April 2016.

NICE!!!! Capacity going to be around 30,000?

No, the size keeps growing. It started at 40,000...now is up to 50-55,000 for various reasons including the bowl game and the Magic City Classic (Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State) that regularly draws an almost full stadium at Legion Field.

Oh, so they're tearing down Legion field??? That makes sense as to why the large capacity...

(02-08-2016 12:40 PM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  

(02-08-2016 12:29 PM)blazerjay Wrote:  

(02-08-2016 12:17 PM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  

(02-08-2016 12:13 PM)blazerjay Wrote:  

(02-08-2016 10:20 AM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  What's the word on a new stadium???

The new stadium will be on the opposite end of the Convention Complex from the Legacy Arena, across the street from Westin/Sheraton Hotels and Uptown entertainment district.

Right now, Populous (formerly HOK Sports) is doing conceptual designs as well as a plan to update the entire complex, including Legacy Arena.

Those designs/plans are due to be completed by April 2016.

NICE!!!! Capacity going to be around 30,000?

No, the size keeps growing. It started at 40,000...now is up to 50-55,000 for various reasons including the bowl game and the Magic City Classic (Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State) that regularly draws an almost full stadium at Legion Field.

Oh, so they're tearing down Legion field??? That makes sense as to why the large capacity...

I dont think so, it is kind of a historic landmark, I think it will be treated like Rickwood field, its just there.

Yeah, see, I thought UAB would've wanted a smaller venue that was home just to the Blazers.. ESPECIALLY if theyre gonna keep Legion. Personally, I didn't think they should tear it down due to its history, but 55,000 is just too big if a stadium for ANYONE in CUSA...

(02-08-2016 12:47 PM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  Yeah, see, I thought UAB would've wanted a smaller venue that was home just to the Blazers.. ESPECIALLY if theyre gonna keep Legion. Personally, I didn't think they should tear it down due to its history, but 55,000 is just too big if a stadium for ANYONE in CUSA...

If it was just for UAB then I would have wanted just a 30-35,000 seat stadium but this is for all of Birmingham and to attract an MLS team into the city so we are going on the larger end.

(02-08-2016 12:47 PM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  Yeah, see, I thought UAB would've wanted a smaller venue that was home just to the Blazers.. ESPECIALLY if theyre gonna keep Legion. Personally, I didn't think they should tear it down due to its history, but 55,000 is just too big if a stadium for ANYONE in CUSA...

I agree, 55k is getting to be too big.

I still think UAB needs a 55,000 person stadium, they have put a lot people in the stands in the past, plus the bowl game 55,000 is what is needed. They should tear down Legion Field it is rough and will be an issue in the future.

I've said all along that stadium was not going to be a 40-45000 seat stadium. Yes UAB will be the main tenant but Birmingham does not want to lose the Magic City Classic which draws over 60,000 fans and that's not including the tailgaters.

Legion Field won't be torn down in the short term. It is needed as a venue for the 2021 World Games (think olympics for sports not in the olympics). After the games, I would expect Legion Field to be demolished or scaled back to a great degree. The upkeep is too costly to maintain as a tourist attraction a la Rickwood Field.

In other news. The UAB softball facility, Mary Bowers Field will be almost tripling in size as The UofA BOT also approved construction of new grandstands and press box (capacity 1,000). The existing bleachers (capacity 350) will be relocated as an outfield seating area.