Check out EMU's new practice bubble:

http://www.emueagles.com/news/2010/2/6/G...05425.aspx

http://www.youtube.com/emuathletics#p/u/3/eI58WkzYpT8
(click on "A Look Inside The Air Supported Structure")

It's 140 yards long, 75 yards wide and cost $3.9 million. I would not be opposed to one of these since it could be years (and years) before we get a much more expensive IPF attached to the Yordon Center. Toledo just spent $9 million on theirs.

Suggestion: Erect one of these bubbles directly north of the soccer field so it is easily accessible for football, soccer, track and baseball. It solves the short term critical need for an IPF for all sports at a very reasonable cost. The football IPF attached to the Yordon Center can be built later, and done slightly smaller and cheaper since it won't have to accommodate a full sized soccer field or running track, or even a 100 yard football field as those will remain in the bubble.

I have to believe we could have one of these up in a year if they focused a campaign on it and got one or two big donors.

(02-18-2010 04:32 PM)NIU1981 Wrote:  Check out EMU's new practice bubble:

http://www.emueagles.com/news/2010/2/6/G...05425.aspx

http://www.youtube.com/emuathletics#p/u/3/eI58WkzYpT8
(click on "A Look Inside The Air Supported Structure")

It's 140 yards long, 75 yards wide and cost $3.9 million. I would not be opposed to one of these since it could be years (and years) before we get a much more expensive IPF attached to the Yordon Center. Toledo just spent $9 million on theirs.

Suggestion: Erect one of these bubbles directly north of the soccer field so it is easily accessible for football, soccer, track and baseball. It solves the short term critical need for an IPF for all sports at a very reasonable cost. The football IPF attached to the Yordon Center can be built later, and done slightly smaller and cheaper since it won't have to accommodate a full sized soccer field or running track, or even a 100 yard football field as those will remain in the bubble.

I have to believe we could have one of these up in a year if they focused a campaign on it and got one or two big donors.

no way that thing is ugly as hell i say do it right or don't do it at all. I'd wait 10 years if we have to, but let it be the best damn IPF in the conference

i'm not opposed to one at all, its a place to practice inside

Kinda sad that EMU has one and we don't

Is it really worth spending the $4MM if you are basically halfway to the $8-10MM for a real IPF? I think I'd rather have NIU do something big if they're gonna do anything. Do it right instead of putting us back at $0 when we need a top notch IPF.

Also, could anyone direct me to websites that are related to NIU fund development etc? Obviously the HSAF is purely athletic donations but does athletics receiving funding from the general university fundraising? Any info would be appreciated.

Put in the Field and cover it with a dome, if you still are a few years from putting up a permanent building.

We're not going to do that. We will put in a permanent building.

those things are ugly and half arsed.. a good write up some time ago also on the electricity? (not sure, or AC?) costs.. ALOT o' $$$, written in RRSTAR using Rockton Hono's "bubble" as an example.. something like $150K a year alone

we are gonna do this one right - administration toured almost every away IPF this football season. will also include running track/sand pits for T&F

No doubt the total cost of ownership would be less with a brick & mortar facility, especially since a bubble wears out and needs to be replaced eventually (anyone know how many years?) while a brick & mortar can be repaired/upgraded and essentially last forever.

I just hope we can raise the funds to build one in our lifetime, that's my only motivation. Every time we hear anything about funding we're told they're still paying off the Yordon Center. Imagine raising $7-$8-$9 million on top of that. When does that ever get done.

lol that thing is ugly

i would be utterly embarrassed if that thing when up on my University

although good for EMU maybe this will give their recruiting a little spark and turn that program around

We will not be putting one of those things up. Bet the ranch on it.

It is ugly. One thing I noticed while watching the interior video is that thy are using Turner Construction Company. I believe we used them for the Convo.