Quote:Univ. of Illinois AD Josh Whitman indicated that Memorial Stadium "may be in line" for a $100M upgrade that "could coincide" with the stadium's 100th anniversary, according to Ben Zigterman of the Champaign NEWS-GAZETTE. Improvements to the 96-year-old football venue "would come to the south and east sides of the stadium." The improvements were first introduced in September '16, but were "sidelined to prioritize" the recently-opened $80M Smith Football Center. The $132M Memorial Stadium renovation project announced three years ago "would have included a new south grandstand ... and a football performance center." With the opening of the Smith Center, the space vacated on the north end of Memorial Stadium "will be renovated for use by other athletes." That space was previously occupied by the football team's "weight room, sports medicine areas, locker rooms, meeting rooms and coaches' offices, among other amenities." No timeline has been specified for the project (Champaign NEWS-GAZETTE, 10/14).
Quote:Univ. of Illinois AD Josh Whitman indicated that Memorial Stadium "may be in line" for a $100M upgrade that "could coincide" with the stadium's 100th anniversary, according to Ben Zigterman of the Champaign NEWS-GAZETTE. Improvements to the 96-year-old football venue "would come to the south and east sides of the stadium." The improvements were first introduced in September '16, but were "sidelined to prioritize" the recently-opened $80M Smith Football Center. The $132M Memorial Stadium renovation project announced three years ago "would have included a new south grandstand ... and a football performance center." With the opening of the Smith Center, the space vacated on the north end of Memorial Stadium "will be renovated for use by other athletes." That space was previously occupied by the football team's "weight room, sports medicine areas, locker rooms, meeting rooms and coaches' offices, among other amenities." No timeline has been specified for the project (Champaign NEWS-GAZETTE, 10/14).
I know nothing about building a football stadium, but I am really surprised the video board would go in with so much work still to be done on the stadium. That seems like a finishing touch sort of thing to me.
(10-24-2019 09:01 AM)Steve1981 Wrote: The new IPF albeit air supported like Cincinnati is coming along and looks like it will make the November completion date.
How much is that costing vs. calling the general and getting a nondescript steel building erected? Honestly want to know.
(10-24-2019 09:01 AM)Steve1981 Wrote: The new IPF albeit air supported like Cincinnati is coming along and looks like it will make the November completion date.
See, here's the issue I have with UMass... UMass has/had the space to build a whole new, FBS capable stadium...capacity, amenities (bathrooms, suites, etc...)...to replace McGuirk. Hell, I'm not even talking a huge palace here; a 20k MACish stadium would have worked.
Now they are putting up a dome and calling it an "IPF." UC uses a temporary dome because we are landlocked; there is no space on campus for a real IPF. The dome is a practical, stop-gap solution.
Yet another example of UMass doing things "on the cheap" instead of committing to doing things well.
(10-24-2019 09:01 AM)Steve1981 Wrote: The new IPF albeit air supported like Cincinnati is coming along and looks like it will make the November completion date.
See, here's the issue I have with UMass... UMass has/had the space to build a whole new, FBS capable stadium...capacity, amenities (bathrooms, suites, etc...)...to replace McGuirk. Hell, I'm not even talking a huge palace here; a 20k MACish stadium would have worked.
Now they are putting up a dome and calling it an "IPF." UC uses a temporary dome because we are landlocked; there is no space on campus for a real IPF. The dome is a practical, stop-gap solution.
Yet another example of UMass doing things "on the cheap" instead of committing to doing things well.
We us the phrase fiscally responsible, not on the cheap.
We have donors stepping up as Marty Jacobson paid for the IPF, via a 5.53 Million donation. A separate donation from Manganaro Family paid for the 1/2 Million video board. UMass did get a waiver to add some handrails and paid for the new bathrooms and South End hospitality area for this season. More updates in 2020 as it's all part of a 18 Million upgrade. The steel option faded when the cost was millions more and more importantly, size matters, not only for football but other spring sports.
Someday when we are in a conference or at least a bowl eligible team, we'll start selling out and then replace or add a tier to the East Side.
- connection between existing Dome and Barnes Center Next Door
- expect to hold a HoF, reception rooms, tailgating areas, etc...
- Many think part of plan to fight Carrier over naming rights
Barnes Center next door just part of the arms race of recruiting students with esports rooms, pet therapy rooms, Wall climbs, hot tubs, personal sized pools, etc...
(Actually kinda jealous with what I had (rusty universal gym sets))