I get that the ability to practice indoors during the rain is very important for minimizing injury, and our office space is crap, but considering how we won't be allowed anything close to what UAT does to generate debts for the time being, don't ya think we would be better off putting a roll-out tarp over half the artificial turf field for our on-campus stadium? The millions we could spend on these amenities could be put towards getting that stadium built ASAP. It wouldn't be the perfect practice facility, but it would be much better than what we have now and would allow us to generate revenue faster.
And I think the UAB Bowling Alley and Shooting Range at Royal Cup Stadium would also generate some revenue.
We basically have a plan and proposed funding in place for an IPF. It's what coach Clark wants and it is what he will get. It will also house new coaches offices and meeting rooms.
I suggest embrace LF for the next few years and lets improve immediate needs. When Watts is gone and the board is more balanced great things will happen. Heck we may even put together a deal with Birmingham for a new stadium while the IPF is being built. You never know. Earliest we would play in a new stadium if we said yes lets do it today would be:
Design Phase / Bid = 10-12 months
Build = 28-36 months weather permitting
That's if we said yes tomorrow morning at 7:00AM.
Embrace legion Field and make the best of it. We need asses in seats. We don't need to badmouth our home any more.
Watts said that the plan doesn't include an IPF, though.
With all the various designs we have seen from around the country for our OCS, we could surely build whatever we feel we need - and can afford. The main thing is to get in place the facilities our coaching staff wants ASAP.
BTW, Under state law, bond income can only be used for capital improvements-ie BUILDINGS. The greater the covering income, the better bond interest rate the program can get so the more that can be borrowed. (One reason the UA campus can get so far into bonded debt is the certainty of the income to the system from the UAB medical center.)
It will ;-)
He doesn't know what he doesn't' know.
I can live with Legion Field for a few more years. After a couple of Good People IPA's the place looks alright.
What part of one step at a time is hard to understand. Watts already stated that UAB is in no position to take out bonds. Whether true or not, he put it out there just to make it harder.
Lets do this right and build from the ground up. we got our team back. Work on training field and facilities. Win games, go to bowls, set back some funds and we'll be set for a stadium in no time.
(06-01-2015 05:31 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote: [ -> ]BTW, Under state law, bond income can only be used for capital improvements-ie BUILDINGS. The greater the covering income, the better bond interest rate the program can get so the more that can be borrowed. (One reason the UA campus can get so far into bonded debt is the certainty of the income to the system from the UAB medical center.)
Actually wrong on BOTH counts.
The 3 campuses and medical and hospital are rated separately by Moody's
Been discussed a 100 times.
Further UAT best (growing student body). UAB & UAH good stable student body Medical not so good dependent on diminishing federal grants teaching hospital unknown with state of AL refusing medical expansion & uncertainty over replacement of obamacare
(06-01-2015 05:34 PM)nicknitro19 Wrote: [ -> ]I can live with Legion Field for a few more years. After a couple of Good People IPA's the place looks alright.
Just slap a new coat of paint on it and it will be fine!
Oh wait I forgot paint is just about the only thing keeping that building standing
(06-01-2015 05:34 PM)nicknitro19 Wrote: [ -> ]I can live with Legion Field for a few more years. After a couple of Good People IPA's the place looks alright.
I feel you brother. Lotsa leg room.
I found this article on indoor practice facility to be very interesting.
http://www.athleticbusiness.com/gym-fiel...ightbox/1/
I really like this part:
"FROM PRACTICE TO PROFIT CENTERS
Other sports practices aren't the only use for such a large space. Many schools are taking note of the success of the University of Oregon's Moshofsky Center, which converts from a practice facility to a massive tailgate party on gamedays, a concept Syracuse plans to employ, according to Fatovic. "Syracuse plays in the Carrier Dome, where there isn't much room to tailgate, so the notion was they would use the facility for tailgating for the boosters before the game, then they would all get on the bus and head to the game."
If we are going to be at Legion Field for a while might as do what we can to improve the on-campus experience.
If there's one thing we've learned in all this, is watch for lease expiration dates to know when something good or bad is going to happen. As far as facilities, I'd say turf on practice would be first & maybe happen next year since booster already was willing to pay for it. Next would be IPF maybe a few yrs down the road
The thing is, if we improve the peripheral facilities, the ability to play well goes way up. We attract more recruits (better recruits), we develop our players better, and morale is much higher. If those things happen, we start to win more games. Win more games, get more fans. Get more fans, make more money. Make more money, the OCS is a reality.
I hate to utter these words here, but I'll risk it...it's a process.
(06-01-2015 09:27 PM)iam4uab Wrote: [ -> ]Make more money, the OCS is a reality.
I hate to utter these words here, but I'll risk it...it's a process.
I don't begrudge anyone anything after I got my team back. Funny how that works.
AB, if the IPF is in the cards, what is the realistic timeline to have it constructed? Would we have to practice on our current field in 2016, or could we open the new facility in time for the 2016 spring game? That would build a huge buzz.
If we pulled the trigger today it still would go through a design phase taking several months. Not as lengthy as a stadium.
I would say it could be ready by spring 2017. Maybe sooner. I would have to put a schedule together plugging in known numbers to pin it down.
What's the projected layout of projects? I know we had space near Bartow for the OCS at one point. Has that been reallocated? Where will the IPF go? Any other projects being discussed? Been a while since I've been on campus, need to get back for a visit.
Look at the article and one of the drawings will answer your questions. (locations)
The football facility is project #1.
(06-02-2015 08:10 AM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote: [ -> ]This is the interview I did about our IPF. ;-)
http://www.underdogdynasty.com/2015/1/7/...in/6939748
I wouldn't have guessed that portion of the practice field would actually be big enough to house a full length field. Surprising. Would it have to cut in any on the track portion?