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If it had been up to the city and its voters, the MPF would have been built and be opened by 2002. B'ham might have been in the running for a Super Bowl and a FBS playoff game or two as well as major national conventions with such a facility.

No city can build such a venue by itself without regional and state level support for financing. For our "blue" city in a "reddest of red" state, this has turned into something very difficult to accomplish. UAB - the school, not the medical center - has been the "collateral damage" victim of this state and regional hostility. (If you have not noticed, the UA BOT is a major power player in state politics, not just in the UA System)

(01-13-2017 12:44 AM)Blazer85 Wrote:  Another interesting feature is that the new stadium will be home to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2021 World Games in Birmingham. The stadium would also likely be the site for other related sporting events (including lacrosse).

Just discovered the new website for the 2021 World Games in Birmingham: http://www.theworldgames2021.com/

Where does it say opening and closing ceremonies would be at a new stadium? The venues page lists legion field as the ceremony site.

The world games also was set up to where you wouldn't have to build new arenas & buildings in order to host the games.

(01-13-2017 02:09 PM)hooverblazer Wrote:  

(01-13-2017 12:44 AM)Blazer85 Wrote:  Another interesting feature is that the new stadium will be home to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2021 World Games in Birmingham. The stadium would also likely be the site for other related sporting events (including lacrosse).

Just discovered the new website for the 2021 World Games in Birmingham: http://www.theworldgames2021.com/

Where does it say opening and closing ceremonies would be at a new stadium? The venues page lists legion field as the ceremony site.

I think he is saying if the stadium is built it will be home to the opening and closing ceremonies. As of right now Legion Field will host the events because that's all we have.

(01-13-2017 02:09 PM)hooverblazer Wrote:  

(01-13-2017 12:44 AM)Blazer85 Wrote:  Another interesting feature is that the new stadium will be home to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2021 World Games in Birmingham. The stadium would also likely be the site for other related sporting events (including lacrosse).

Just discovered the new website for the 2021 World Games in Birmingham: http://www.theworldgames2021.com/

Where does it say opening and closing ceremonies would be at a new stadium? The venues page lists legion field as the ceremony site.

I would think that it is a given that a new stadium finished by the time of the games would be the site of all ceremonies. Legion Field is the only EXISTING facility capable of such a role. Right now there is a chance it may be the only venue even in 2021.

Correct. I suppose I wasn't as clear as I could have been. LF is current venue, however, most expect the new stadium to be built before the World Games and as such would be home to the opening and closing ceremonies.

If nothing else, the coming World Games will give the city incentive to push for the new stadium's completion by at least 2021, though many of us obviously hope it will be done even sooner than that.

(01-17-2017 08:44 PM)Blazer85 Wrote:  Correct. I suppose I wasn't as clear as I could have been. LF is current venue, however, most expect the new stadium to be built before the World Games and as such would be home to the opening and closing ceremonies.

If nothing else, the coming World Games will give the city incentive to push for the new stadium's completion by at least 2021, though many of us obviously hope it will be done even sooner than that.

It just seems like a lot would have to happen and soon for it be done before 2021, especially if they choose the dome option. I was watching the Warriors obliterate the Cavs last night and they were talking about Golden States new arena in San Francisco. If I understand this correctly, the location and name of the facility was announced in January of 2016, groundbreaking was today, and it won't be completed until before the 2018-19 aeason.

Obviously every project is different but I imagine a best case scenario that they announce the stadium sometime this year, break ground next year, and it takes at least two years to complete. That would put us at 2020. A lot of things need to start happening soon in order for that to be realistic, I think.

We also have to remember that the BJCC project is not just a stadium. It's a complete renovation of the existing facility as well. All of it has to work in concert...............no pun intended.