http://news.rice.edu/2016/02/24/renovati...hcxRT.dpuf

Looks ok to me. Nothing flashy but definitely better than before.

EDIT: looking through the pictures and the indoor/outdoor gym option is cool. Kind of like a crossfit style gym. Never seen that in a college facility and it's kinda cool.

Nice little stands for soccer.

I like it! Modern looking and almost with a touch of Skyspace look to it.

A dream.....thinking of that back-drop...a beautiful spring day...packed stands with others crowding the fenceline....a meet with old rivals, most in contention.....the Owls with competitive relay teams....the roar as they round the final turn....
How thrilling that would be.

Downside is no more beautiful brick wall, no more stands with a finish line view, and a greatly reduced seating capacity.

The workout facility looks nice. And as Interested said, the stands look fine for soccer. For track and field, it seems to be an afterthought since the bulk of the stands are in the middle of the field and a decent distance away from the finish line. Plus those metal seats might get a wee bit hot in the late spring and fall?? I can vouch that a press box is well appreciated after spending many a day getting a horrible sunburn after working an all day track meet (or all weekend).

Love it. Can't wait to get season tickets for soccer

(02-26-2016 02:26 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  The workout facility looks nice. And as Interested said, the stands look fine for soccer. For track and field, it seems to be an afterthought since the bulk of the stands are in the middle of the field and a decent distance away from the finish line. Plus those metal seats might get a wee bit hot in the late spring and fall?? I can vouch that a press box is well appreciated after spending many a day getting a horrible sunburn after working an all day track meet (or all weekend).

Technically, it's not a "press box". I'm not sure what it will be designated.

(02-27-2016 08:25 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  

(02-26-2016 02:26 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  I can vouch that a press box is well appreciated after spending many a day getting a horrible sunburn after working an all day track meet (or all weekend).

Technically, it's not a "press box". I'm not sure what it will be designated.

The announcement linked in the first post said: "The $2.2 million project replaced the grandstand and added a new enclosed press box."

(02-28-2016 03:20 AM)Almadenmike Wrote:  

(02-27-2016 08:25 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  

(02-26-2016 02:26 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  I can vouch that a press box is well appreciated after spending many a day getting a horrible sunburn after working an all day track meet (or all weekend).

Technically, it's not a "press box". I'm not sure what it will be designated.

The announcement linked in the first post said: "The $2.2 million project replaced the grandstand and added a new enclosed press box."

Which reminds me: legendary Rice announcer J. Fred Duckett had the honor of being the manager of the track & field press box at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. I talked with him before the Games for a story for Rice News, and he mentioned that in Olympic track & field, a press box is officially called a "tribune".