The unofficial online home for fans of the Old Dominion University Monarchs. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(01-09-2018 01:35 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  My dad and uncle are both a part of the Vol navy boat gaters. Their pier is long. But to accommodate all of the boaters, you have to tie up to other boats and walk across them to get to pier. It makes for a tight knit group and inviting atmosphere.

Yes please

I'm starting to believe that, given ODU's financial constraints, the best path forward is to leave the east side clamshell as it is for now, and put the bulk of the $55 million toward the west side only. Since the clamshells are falling apart, take around $5 million and put it into shoring up the east side. Repair it enough to extend its lifespan another 10-12 years. Spend the remaining $50 million on replacing the west side. That should leave enough to build suites, a club level and good press facilities. Replacing the east side would be part of the next construction phase, along with maybe the north end zone. Obviously this isn't an option if the cost to repair the east side would cut too much into the $50 million intended for the east side rebuild.

The disadvantage is ODU would have to spend money they don't want to spend to extend the life of the east side. Also, ODU would have to charge lower ticket prices for east side seats, since no one would spend as much as a west side ticket for an inferior seat. But that money could be made up in the revenue generating capability of the suites and club level of the west side. And ODU would be able to show recruits (and fans) that real progress is being made on a superior facility. How impressed would recruits be with the structure they are now likely to build? The ODU administration is now at the point where they cannot build the facility they want without making a compromise. This compromise is better than building a stripped down stadium that could hold the program back for years.

(01-11-2018 02:02 PM)Sidewinder Wrote:  I'm starting to believe that, given ODU's financial constraints, the best path forward is to leave the east side clamshell as it is for now, and put the bulk of the $55 million toward the west side only. Since the clamshells are falling apart, take around $5 million and put it into shoring up the east side. Repair it enough to extend its lifespan another 10-12 years. Spend the remaining $50 million on replacing the west side. That should leave enough to build suites, a club level and good press facilities. Replacing the east side would be part of the next construction phase, along with maybe the north end zone. Obviously this isn't an option if the cost to repair the east side would cut too much into the $50 million intended for the east side rebuild.

The disadvantage is ODU would have to spend money they don't want to spend to extend the life of the east side. Also, ODU would have to charge lower ticket prices for east side seats, since no one would spend as much as a west side ticket for an inferior seat. But that money could be made up in the revenue generating capability of the suites and club level of the west side. And ODU would be able to show recruits (and fans) that real progress is being made on a superior facility. How impressed would recruits be with the structure they are now likely to build? The ODU administration is now at the point where they cannot build the facility they want without making a compromise. This compromise is better than building a stripped down stadium that could hold the program back for years.

I think this could be done with the exception that we don't shore up the east side and just plan to replace that 2 years after the west side. That would give us 2 additional years to raise money for the east side, and since it will be smaller and less high end (no suites, press box, club area on that side etc) I would hope that side could be done for 15 million or so. So go ahead and put $50 million all into the west side and do it up right. Then raise $10 million (the amount supposedly coming from the capital campaign) over the next two seasons, add it to the remaining five and build the east side. If we have additional funds come in, do the end zone then as well. If we under estimate how many suites we need like before, and the demand is for more, we could build them at that time too.

https://pilotonline.com/sports/college/o...cb43b.html

https://pilotonline.com/sports/college/o...748a7.html

https://pilotonline.com/sports/college/o...c94cc.html

ODU had better hurry up and build this thing, or else by the time they do, there won't be any seats in it at all.

I really wish we knew what happened with the Ballard plan. They say they legally could not entertain it, but I feel like we are being mislead. The above article really lays out how the process works, and does not convey any concern that it may not be legal. I also doubt that Ballard would have spent half a million on a study without knowing whether ODU could even legally entertain his offer. Something doesn't add up. Wonder if they had a handshake deal with Populous already in place for stadium design and that is the reason for blowing off Ballard.

The latest rumor I have heard is capacity will now be between 21,000-22,000. With Phase II still planned at 30,000. Does it really matter what the Phase I capacity is if we will eventually get to the same number?

(01-11-2018 03:22 PM)cmett003 Wrote:  The latest rumor I have heard is capacity will now be between 21,000-22,000. With Phase II still planned at 30,000. Does it really matter what the Phase I capacity is if we will eventually get to the same number?

Have two responses to that:
1. At this point, I am not sure the number is even the biggest complaint most people have.

2. It depends on when Phase 2 happens. My takeaway based on everything I have seen following this process is that it will be a decade before we get to the kind of Phase 2 that you are talking about (30,000). I wouldn't be surprised if the original Phase 1 gets broken into 2 phases with the way things are going, and if that happens, then I could see that second phase maybe happening in 4-5 years.

(01-11-2018 03:19 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  I really wish we knew what happened with the Ballard plan. They say they legally could not entertain it, but I feel like we are being mislead. The above article really lays out how the process works, and does not convey any concern that it may not be legal. I also doubt that Ballard would have spent half a million on a study without knowing whether ODU could even legally entertain his offer. Something doesn't add up. Wonder if they had a handshake deal with Populous already in place for stadium design and that is the reason for blowing off Ballard.

All I can say is that someone with absolutely no reason to fabricate an answer told me that legally ODU could not consider the proposal, that there was some sort of state procedure that had to be followed. As far as what Ballard does or doesn't spend his money on, I can't say . . . And they haven't blown him off. It seems to me he is very involved in the project.

I don't know for sure but they might not be able to do one side at a time if infrastructure under the east or west side needs to be addressed at the same time.

Posted from mobile device. Hopefully it's coherent.

(01-11-2018 02:34 PM)monarx Wrote:  

(01-11-2018 02:02 PM)Sidewinder Wrote:  I'm starting to believe that, given ODU's financial constraints, the best path forward is to leave the east side clamshell as it is for now, and put the bulk of the $55 million toward the west side only. Since the clamshells are falling apart, take around $5 million and put it into shoring up the east side. Repair it enough to extend its lifespan another 10-12 years. Spend the remaining $50 million on replacing the west side. That should leave enough to build suites, a club level and good press facilities. Replacing the east side would be part of the next construction phase, along with maybe the north end zone. Obviously this isn't an option if the cost to repair the east side would cut too much into the $50 million intended for the east side rebuild.

The disadvantage is ODU would have to spend money they don't want to spend to extend the life of the east side. Also, ODU would have to charge lower ticket prices for east side seats, since no one would spend as much as a west side ticket for an inferior seat. But that money could be made up in the revenue generating capability of the suites and club level of the west side. And ODU would be able to show recruits (and fans) that real progress is being made on a superior facility. How impressed would recruits be with the structure they are now likely to build? The ODU administration is now at the point where they cannot build the facility they want without making a compromise. This compromise is better than building a stripped down stadium that could hold the program back for years.

I think this could be done with the exception that we don't shore up the east side and just plan to replace that 2 years after the west side. That would give us 2 additional years to raise money for the east side, and since it will be smaller and less high end (no suites, press box, club area on that side etc) I would hope that side could be done for 15 million or so. So go ahead and put $50 million all into the west side and do it up right. Then raise $10 million (the amount supposedly coming from the capital campaign) over the next two seasons, add it to the remaining five and build the east side. If we have additional funds come in, do the end zone then as well. If we under estimate how many suites we need like before, and the demand is for more, we could build them at that time too.

Not sure they can do a temp fix. Thought if they do any changes they need to change the whole structure for ADA.

(01-11-2018 02:54 PM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  https://pilotonline.com/sports/college/o...cb43b.html

https://pilotonline.com/sports/college/o...748a7.html

https://pilotonline.com/sports/college/o...c94cc.html

ODU had better hurry up and build this thing, or else by the time they do, there won't be any seats in it at all.

For the lazy

Their vision of 30k seats remains. It just will take longer than most of us want to happen.

(01-11-2018 04:15 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  

(01-11-2018 02:54 PM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  https://pilotonline.com/sports/college/o...cb43b.html

https://pilotonline.com/sports/college/o...748a7.html

https://pilotonline.com/sports/college/o...c94cc.html

ODU had better hurry up and build this thing, or else by the time they do, there won't be any seats in it at all.

For the lazy

Don't forget the latest where they say 20,000 and that the goal isn't increased seating. Sigh...

(01-11-2018 03:19 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  I really wish we knew what happened with the Ballard plan. They say they legally could not entertain it, but I feel like we are being mislead. The above article really lays out how the process works, and does not convey any concern that it may not be legal. I also doubt that Ballard would have spent half a million on a study without knowing whether ODU could even legally entertain his offer. Something doesn't add up. Wonder if they had a handshake deal with Populous already in place for stadium design and that is the reason for blowing off Ballard.

Of course they did. The Populous design award would have broken federal law and people would have gone to jail if it were a federal contract. Being a contract manager myself, this thing disgusts me beyond comprehension.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

(01-11-2018 04:23 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  Their vision of 30k seats remains. It just will take longer than most of us want to happen.

Yeah, and light rail was envisioned to go to the Oceanfront. Once the 20k underwhelming pile of scrap metal starts producing empty seats before the end of year 1, phase 2 will never happen. If you actually believe otherwise after 5 years of empty promises in exchange for a short term money grab, I have a bridge to sell you.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

(01-11-2018 05:31 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(01-11-2018 04:23 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  Their vision of 30k seats remains. It just will take longer than most of us want to happen.

Yeah, and light rail was envisioned to go to the Oceanfront. Once the 20k underwhelming pile of scrap metal starts producing empty seats before the end of year 1, phase 2 will never happen. If you actually believe otherwise after 5 years of empty promises in exchange for a short term money grab, I have a bridge to sell you.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

You're right that they may never get to phase 2 or 3.

But there is no need to be condescending. Especially since I never said it was guaranteed.

I just said the vision remains. Pretty much all college football teams have future phases they may never build.

So do we start following Virginia Tech football?

(01-11-2018 06:01 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(01-11-2018 05:31 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(01-11-2018 04:23 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  Their vision of 30k seats remains. It just will take longer than most of us want to happen.

Yeah, and light rail was envisioned to go to the Oceanfront. Once the 20k underwhelming pile of scrap metal starts producing empty seats before the end of year 1, phase 2 will never happen. If you actually believe otherwise after 5 years of empty promises in exchange for a short term money grab, I have a bridge to sell you.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

You're right that they may never get to phase 2 or 3.

But there is no need to be condescending. Especially since I never said it was guaranteed.

I just said the vision remains. Pretty much all college football teams have future phases they may never build.

Hopefully an update with good info is coming soon...

(01-14-2018 05:22 PM)ETSUDB8-79 Wrote:  

(01-11-2018 06:01 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(01-11-2018 05:31 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(01-11-2018 04:23 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  Their vision of 30k seats remains. It just will take longer than most of us want to happen.

Yeah, and light rail was envisioned to go to the Oceanfront. Once the 20k underwhelming pile of scrap metal starts producing empty seats before the end of year 1, phase 2 will never happen. If you actually believe otherwise after 5 years of empty promises in exchange for a short term money grab, I have a bridge to sell you.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

You're right that they may never get to phase 2 or 3.









But there is no need to be condescending. Especially since I never said it was guaranteed.

I just said the vision remains. Pretty much all college football teams have future phases they may never build.

Hopefully an update with good info is coming soon...

When do Broderick and company finally announce that we are dropping back to FCS.

(01-15-2018 02:26 PM)Monarch Blue Wrote:  

(01-14-2018 05:22 PM)ETSUDB8-79 Wrote:  

(01-11-2018 06:01 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(01-11-2018 05:31 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(01-11-2018 04:23 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  Their vision of 30k seats remains. It just will take longer than most of us want to happen.

Yeah, and light rail was envisioned to go to the Oceanfront. Once the 20k underwhelming pile of scrap metal starts producing empty seats before the end of year 1, phase 2 will never happen. If you actually believe otherwise after 5 years of empty promises in exchange for a short term money grab, I have a bridge to sell you.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

You're right that they may never get to phase 2 or 3.









But there is no need to be condescending. Especially since I never said it was guaranteed.

I just said the vision remains. Pretty much all college football teams have future phases they may never build.

Hopefully an update with good info is coming soon...

When do Broderick and company finally announce that we are dropping back to FCS.

That's not happening.