This is what I located from the proposed 2014 -2020 strategic plan supposedly approved in January by the BOV- this might be old news but it's a done deal now -8500 seats minimum. thought some of you might like to see the actual approved wording .

"Convocation Center Project (#17963) – Construction of a new convocation center to replace the current facility which was originally built in the late 1970’s as a physical education and recreation facility and lacks occupant capacity space, modern heating, ventilation, air conditioning and full handicap accessibility. Modernization is not an option due to structural, architectural and infrastructure limitations. The new facility will provide a sports and event venue which includes general seating for 8,500, suites, multipurpose room, concessions, merchandising and capacity for graduation, and special events. The current starting date for construction has not been determined. o Debt Service and Operation and Maintenance Costs – The estimated debt service as well as maintenance personnel, utilities, and equipment costs have been considered. The debt service costs are included within the university’s six-year plan expenditure projections"

Lacks space...LOL.

When can we expect them to break ground?

Would have thought they would go a little higher like ODU 9,500 or Mason 10,000 with such a big investment for 'growth' of the fan base. 1400 additional seats doesn't seem like a whole lot when the school has more than doubled in size since the Convo was built.

For what it is worth, this would put us about mid to upper mid table in each of the CUSA, MAC or SB in terms of size and make us #2 behind B&G in the CAA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NCA...all_arenas

At the end of the day I guess it is more about the Suites, modern amenities, concession improvements, handicaps seating (and did I say SUITES?) that drive the value proposition for getting this built.

(01-24-2014 10:55 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  Lacks space...LOL.

Thinking the same thing. With the current attendance, we could go back to playing in Godwin.

With that being said, why couldn't we simply demo out the Convocation Center at the end of a season, and erect a new building on the same ground. Unfortunately, we could actually play in Godwin for a season, giving about 18 months to complete the project.

Though, with this thought, as crazy as it is, we could have pulled this off this year, with so few home games and a struggling MBB team.

Guys, I know this isn't going to happen, I my little brain was trying to come up with possibilities of a location. No need to tell me how incompetent I am. Though, if you want to explore reasonable explanations why this couldn't work, i.e., not enough parking or we need to use the old convo for some other purpose, then I'd like to hear your thoughts.

BP, my understanding of buildings like this (i.e. stadiums) is that likely it was not built to accommodate today's building codes. It would not be just a simple demo of the seats and walls to get all the improvements without totally gutting it out and almost rebuilding it, which from a cost perspective is as much if not more than a new arena, and you're not limited to the original footprint and structural considerations for a new build.

Also I believe they are going to repurpose this into a field house that can be used as an indoor practice facility for the outdoor sports teams during inclement weather (something that actually can be accomplished from a simple demo and laying down field turf as you really don't have to accommodate anyone other than the athletes).

(01-25-2014 08:44 AM)JMaddy Wrote:  BP, my understanding of buildings like this (i.e. stadiums) is that likely it was not built to accommodate today's building codes. It would not be just a simple demo of the seats and walls to get all the improvements without totally gutting it out and almost rebuilding it, which from a cost perspective is as much if not more than a new arena, and you're not limited to the original footprint and structural considerations for a new build.

Also I believe they are going to repurpose this into a field house that can be used as an indoor practice facility for the outdoor sports teams during inclement weather (something that actually can be accomplished from a simple demo and laying down field turf as you really don't have to accommodate anyone other than the athletes).

Yes, I had heard the same. Though, in response to your first paragraph, I was actually referring to a total demolition of the Convo and not using the footprint or anything at all except for the ground in which it sits.

8500 was about what most people expected who have been following closely. Our template will likely follow Auburn's who just built a 9000 seat arena for 92 mil

(01-25-2014 03:23 AM)JMaddy Wrote:  Would have thought they would go a little higher like ODU 9,500 or Mason 10,000

ODU's capacity for basketball is 8,639 per their website. 9,520 for concerts.

(01-25-2014 09:00 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(01-25-2014 08:44 AM)JMaddy Wrote:  BP, my understanding of buildings like this (i.e. stadiums) is that likely it was not built to accommodate today's building codes. It would not be just a simple demo of the seats and walls to get all the improvements without totally gutting it out and almost rebuilding it, which from a cost perspective is as much if not more than a new arena, and you're not limited to the original footprint and structural considerations for a new build.

Also I believe they are going to repurpose this into a field house that can be used as an indoor practice facility for the outdoor sports teams during inclement weather (something that actually can be accomplished from a simple demo and laying down field turf as you really don't have to accommodate anyone other than the athletes).

Yes, I had heard the same. Though, in response to your first paragraph, I was actually referring to a total demolition of the Convo and not using the footprint or anything at all except for the ground in which it sits.

ok, yeah to be honest I never really liked where the convo was or getting in and out of it.

What I would really love is if the university partnered with the city of Harrisonburg and used the new arena as part of a downtown redevelopment/expansion in a mixed use setting. I'm thinking something like where the Roses is located and then build up the area around it with restaurants, bars and shops with offices/apartments (or parking decks) above them.

I like what JMaddy said about a mixed use setting. They mentioned in the approval that it will be a functioning event venue and this IS KEY. For example, both ODU's convo and UVA's JPJ Arena function almost as their own venue/business. With the largest full-time venue in the h-burg area (apart from JPJ) being Jefferson Theater, still in Charlottesville, I think it is time that Harrisonburg had something of the sort. There would definitely be a market for it.

(01-25-2014 01:00 PM)JMaddy Wrote:  

(01-25-2014 09:00 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(01-25-2014 08:44 AM)JMaddy Wrote:  BP, my understanding of buildings like this (i.e. stadiums) is that likely it was not built to accommodate today's building codes. It would not be just a simple demo of the seats and walls to get all the improvements without totally gutting it out and almost rebuilding it, which from a cost perspective is as much if not more than a new arena, and you're not limited to the original footprint and structural considerations for a new build.

Also I believe they are going to repurpose this into a field house that can be used as an indoor practice facility for the outdoor sports teams during inclement weather (something that actually can be accomplished from a simple demo and laying down field turf as you really don't have to accommodate anyone other than the athletes).

Yes, I had heard the same. Though, in response to your first paragraph, I was actually referring to a total demolition of the Convo and not using the footprint or anything at all except for the ground in which it sits.

ok, yeah to be honest I never really liked where the convo was or getting in and out of it.

What I would really love is if the university partnered with the city of Harrisonburg and used the new arena as part of a downtown redevelopment/expansion in a mixed use setting. I'm thinking something like where the Roses is located and then build up the area around it with restaurants, bars and shops with offices/apartments (or parking decks) above them.

Last I heard, the plan was to build a new convo right up the hill from the old convo, where the old softball field used to be. So pretty much in the same area as it is now...