again... For a while it looked like he was going to back burner it while he concentrated on getting our new basketball arena built but apparently the football expansion is commanding his attention. He says we'll do them both at the same time.
"I've always said that we need to wait until we have the demand, and we have the demand now," Jurich said. "We have a waiting list for tickets now, we have a waiting list for suites and I think our exposure is at an all-time high.
"I think we could be on national TV eight, nine or ten times this season depending on how the draws go. If we stay healthy, things could go very well for us. I think things look good for us."
Jurich was asked if he worries about the fan's ability to finacially support the numerous projects he has on the drawing board over the next several seasons.
"You always are, but you never know until
you try," Jurich said. "I think this community has been incredibly generous, and the feedback that I am getting has huge support for this expansion on our football stadium. It is a major project. It is almost like building another stadium."
Jurich said U of L is working on expanding the field hockey stadium in Cardinal Park in addition to the construction of the Yum! Center, a training center for men's basketball, women's volleyball and several other sports. Jurich also recently completed upgrades to the new lacrosse field including 1,000 chairback red seats and plans are afoot to add new features to Patterson Stadium, the Cards' baseball home which opened just last May.
How many more seats/boxes you guys looking at?
When would construction begin and when would it be done?
Per Jurich the expansion will take capacity to around 64,000 which is an addition of 22,000 seats. 33 additional suites were reported in the local biz mag, Business First, a while back. If you've ever been to the stadium before they are planning on mirroring the suites on the west side of the stadium with a level on the east side.
From the way things are sounding now I'd guess we'll start construction as soon as 06 wraps up and with seven months in the in-term I'd imagine the construction schedule is being worked on now. I have no idea if it would be possible to complete in one off season.
FWIW the stadium was built with a superstructure cabable of supporting 80,000 seats.
Wow. Looks like Louisville is building something special.
I remember with VT, every year they'd have a new part of the stadium up and expanded or they'd be adding suites or something would always be under construction. That place never looked the same twice (the stadium itself is still hideously ugly, albeit loud). Looks like Louisville trips will be the same.
I hear that WVU will be adding seats (not many) after this season. If you've been to Mountaineer Field, the place they want to add seats is where those bushes in the corners of the hospital endzone are. It'll only add a couple hundred, but every little bit helps.
L-yes Wrote:Per Jurich the expansion will take capacity to around 64,000 which is an addition of 22,000 seats. 33 additional suites were reported in the local biz mag, Business First, a while back. If you've ever been to the stadium before they are planning on mirroring the suites on the west side of the stadium with a level on the east side.
From the way things are sounding now I'd guess we'll start construction as soon as 06 wraps up and with seven months in the in-term I'd imagine the construction schedule is being worked on now. I have no idea if it would be possible to complete in one off season.
FWIW the stadium was built with a superstructure cabable of supporting 80,000 seats.
Where are they putting the additional 22,000 seats? Are they putting an upper deck on one of the sides?
3601 Wrote:Where are they putting the additional 22,000 seats? Are they putting an upper deck on one of the sides?
Yes an upper deck will be added to the visitor's side of the stadium with some type of walk over on the open end of the stadium. I have seen comments that the open end will look something like the open end in the Bucs Stadium in Tampa that USF plays in.
BTW not sure if the upper deck will cover the horse shoe end of the stadium or not.
CJ
CardinalJim Wrote:3601 Wrote:Where are they putting the additional 22,000 seats? Are they putting an upper deck on one of the sides?
Yes an upper deck will be added to the visitor's side of the stadium with some type of walk over on the open end of the stadium. I have seen comments that the open end will look something like the open end in the Bucs Stadium in Tampa that USF plays in.
BTW not sure if the upper deck will cover the horse shoe end of the stadium or not.
CJ
Jurich has said the shoe will stay open but that the concourse will fly over top of it. I can't wait to see drawings.
I have heard him say that the open end will reamin that way. He did say that the ends may be brought around to meet the football complex. That would create a bowl atmosphere and more noise but preserve the fantatic vista of the Schnellenberger complex, Johnny U. and the downtown Louisville skyline.
I like the idea of rounding off the end to create a bowl effect but leaving the end open. And once it is all connected with the mezanine (?) seats and walkway it should be stunning!
I agree. West Virginia did somrthing like that.
It may be a version of the bridge UC just opened in what was the open end of Nippert. It is awesome connecting both sides, new end zone seating, the Rec center, The Shoe, Nippert and the New Mian street part of campus. I think this will really add to the great atmospere of Papa John. Keep us up to date Card fans.
L-yes Wrote:Per Jurich the expansion will take capacity to around 64,000 which is an addition of 22,000 seats. 33 additional suites were reported in the local biz mag, Business First, a while back. If you've ever been to the stadium before they are planning on mirroring the suites on the west side of the stadium with a level on the east side.
From the way things are sounding now I'd guess we'll start construction as soon as 06 wraps up and with seven months in the in-term I'd imagine the construction schedule is being worked on now. I have no idea if it would be possible to complete in one off season.
FWIW the stadium was built with a superstructure cabable of supporting 80,000 seats.
Sounds very cool as far as expansions go.
Any renderings of what it would look like yet?
KL
Think of Papa Johns now, and then add an upper deck to both sides.