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https://omny.fm/shows/the-five-star-zone...tyle=cover

Apparently we are close to breaking ground on a new arena?

(04-13-2022 03:24 PM)Nacho Wrote:  https://omny.fm/shows/the-five-star-zone...tyle=cover

Apparently we are close to breaking ground on a new arena?

New DTWN Arena? Really ?
Sounded like DJ doesn’t know Student Bronco Basketball section is called “The ZOO”

Staff all together. I assume that will be officially announced soon. Didn't know the new arena was official.

Gov. Whitmer signs bill, allowing funding for downtown Kalamazoo event center | WWMTCW

https://wwmt.com/news/local/gov-whitmer-...ent-center

Even if they get the money, isn't it true that this still has to be voted on?

(04-13-2022 04:34 PM)jubbasubba Wrote:  Even if they get the money, isn't it true that this still has to be voted on?

From the WWMT link "Before it becomes effective, the tax would require approval by the Kalamazoo County Commission."

That's a shame. That arena should be on campus.

Former driving force for Dtwn projects, Ron Kitchens has departed Kalamazoo.
Don’t get excited either way.

Has an off-campus arena worked for other schools?

I'm skeptical about this.

Does Hockey need a new venue or would a refurbed updated Lawson do the trick?

Not a fan of dual use facilities. Ice under wooden floor. Dangerous.

University Arena isn't ideal. But until you fill it up regularly the mention of a new facility is foolish.

Refurb and update Lawson if needed.

Someone here has suggested using Gary Center (still called that?) or parts of it as practice site.

Wall off from public 2 courts. Put in amenities for each program all using the existing footprint.

The only one I can think of is Nebraska but that's just off campus. Much closer than WMU and Arcadia Commons.

I think the arena was wanted for concerts etc. It would look rather silly with 1200 WMU fans at a basketball game in a 10000 seat arena. Kwings would probably play there.

(04-13-2022 05:59 PM)GRBRONCO Wrote:  I think the arena was wanted for concerts etc. It would look rather silly with 1200 WMU fans at a basketball game in a 10000 seat arena. Kwings would probably play there.

I think it would be ~6k for sporting events, ~10k for other events. Obviously there is still no plans so its just pure guess work.

(04-13-2022 05:49 PM)sketownguy Wrote:  The only one I can think of is Nebraska but that's just off campus. Much closer than WMU and Arcadia Commons.

Nebraska not exactly a college basketball powerhouse.

Marquette plays in downtown Milwaukee at the Bucks' arena

(04-14-2022 08:46 AM)wmubroncopilot Wrote:  Marquette plays in downtown Milwaukee at the Bucks' arena

Is that helping them be successful?

(04-14-2022 08:55 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  

(04-14-2022 08:46 AM)wmubroncopilot Wrote:  Marquette plays in downtown Milwaukee at the Bucks' arena

Is that helping them be successful?

Doesn't seem to be hurting. I would say that in our case we certainly are lacking in the facilities department, the best case scenario is a nice on-campus arena (probably not feasible), but I can't see a new downtown facility being worse than what we have now. It's not like we have a tremendous atmosphere because of UA's proximity.

Hockey is a different situation IMO

I just worry that basketball could lose all student support if home venue moves off campus.

"Out of sight, out of mind."

Probably won't help but student support is already pretty slim

(04-13-2022 05:37 PM)MajorHoople Wrote:  Has an off-campus arena worked for other schools?

I'm skeptical about this.

In fairness, an on-campus arena hasn't been working for WMU...