Wrong emphasis for stadium expansion?

[KnightVision82]

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando...eed)&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

Really think they are missing the mark here. They are spending a lot of money and only increasing the seating capacity by 3%?

Orlando is a large city and UCF has a large alumni base which should count for a greater seating expansion in this project.

Put the $125 million towards a new, larger stadium since the original cost of $54 million was for a stadium that could be expanded to 65,000K fans.
However, the powers that be, have only decided to expand the stadium to 45K (3%). I can't believe the price tag for the recovery river pool, $5.8 million.

Think Big12 people...

 

[BlakNGoldAllDay]

I’d rather expand to 55K but quite a few people in here think it’s better to just expand premium seats. Those are the ones that end up coming late or not at all though.

 

[Gwoz]

If I read it correctly, the cove will actually cost $10+ million, they are spending $4.74 million to move practice fields to make room for cove.

On top of that, years ago the cove annual operating costs was supposed to be something like $200k+. I'm sure that number is quite a bit higher now.

 

[Knight Strength]

I would much rather put the money into making the experience better for those who do attend while also making money off the investment. Comfortable seating, shade, amenities, shorter lines, and refining the appearance of the stadium for example. One place I would like to add seating is closer to the field. We have so much room on the sidelines that we could fit a few more rows down there and it would add noise. I also like stadiums with towers all around like Boone Pickens Stadium. Of course everything we do needs to make financial sense.

CFB attendance has been declining nationally. We're an exception because of momentum from the 2017-2018 run but the trend will eventually reach us too. And just about every one of our game day threads has complaints about attendance/fickle fans. I believe a few programs have decreased their seating to make similar changes. Northwestern is one that comes to mind.

 

[SCKnight]

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2022/06/22/bid-alert-ucf-architect-football-campus-orlando.html?taid=62b3546d36f17e0001eed91a&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+New+Content+(Feed)&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

Really think they are missing the mark here. They are spending a lot of money and only increasing the seating capacity by 3%?

Orlando is a large city and UCF has a large alumni base which should count for a greater seating expansion in this project.

Put the $125 million towards a new, larger stadium since the original cost of $54 million was for a stadium that could be expanded to 65,000K fans.
However, the powers that be, have only decided to expand the stadium to 45K (3%). I can't believe the price tag for the recovery river pool, $5.8 million.

Think Big12 people...

so you spend money on cheap seats that you dont have a need for currently instead of luxury seating that has a huge mark-up and for which there is a huge demand? I think TMo has a handle on the business of the expansion. We don't need 65k seats. The price per seat will go up until the demand outstrips the supply. Our ticket prices are currently very low.

Also I think the cost of building the 65k expansion would far exceed the current plans.

Recovery Cove was already paid for by a donor with a specific donation. I think it will become a trademark feature to our stadium and will be the opening shot of any game on TV. Palm trees, students on the lazy river.

Think outside the box. We are not a blueblood and we don't have to act like one.

 

[Gwoz]

Recovery Cove was already paid for by a donor with a specific donation. I think it will become a trademark feature to our stadium and will be the opening shot of any game on TV. Palm trees, students on the lazy river.

The donation was for $1 million back when they were projecting the project to be around $2 million, not including operating costs. I'm guessing they didn't go back to McNamara family and asked for several million more.

As far as I am aware the only students that will be in that river is athletes or parents that will pay thousands to rent it out.

 

[SCKnight]

The donation was for $1 million back when they were projecting the project to be around $2 million, not including operating costs. I'm guessing they didn't go back to McNamara family and asked for several million more.

As far as I am aware the only students that will be in that river is athletes or parents that will pay thousands to rent it out.

I am guessing that there was some more money and that they see this as a revenue generator. Prices for everything has gone up. So yes only athletes and donors/renters and their trophy wives/husbands. I think it would be huge to have a couple of sororities rent this just prior to any big game day experience on ESPN.

It is quirky for sure but I like it.

 

[tjb74]

I’d rather expand to 55K but quite a few people in here think it’s better to just expand premium seats. Those are the ones that end up coming late or not at all though.

Disagree. Add the premium seating that is in high demand for football. If they don’t show then it’s no skin off our back because you can’t tell anyway. Fast forward this clip to the 10 minute mark from last years game vs E. Carolina, we were 2-2 and coming off the loss to Navy.
Expand the luxury stuff and add 3k more seating right now until we can prove that the stadium will be filled whether we are 11-1 or 1-11.

 

[Knight_Light]

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2022/06/22/bid-alert-ucf-architect-football-campus-orlando.html?taid=62b3546d36f17e0001eed91a&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+New+Content+(Feed)&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

Really think they are missing the mark here. They are spending a lot of money and only increasing the seating capacity by 3%?

Orlando is a large city and UCF has a large alumni base which should count for a greater seating expansion in this project.

Put the $125 million towards a new, larger stadium since the original cost of $54 million was for a stadium that could be expanded to 65,000K fans.
However, the powers that be, have only decided to expand the stadium to 45K (3%). I can't believe the price tag for the recovery river pool, $5.8 million.

Think Big12 people...

$125 Million is for ALL projects...not just stadium renovation (South End Zone Club and Football Offices, North End Zone 3rd level student deck) but all projects (renovation to Wayne Densch, New Football Practice Field, New parking lot, Recovery Cove, etc...).

There is HIGH demand for more club seating (which easily brings innthe most revenue), vs more plain bleacher seat expansion.

Stadiums are smaller today either more club seating in them...and that is the right way for UCF.

 

[UCFloridaTech]

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando...eed)&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

Really think they are missing the mark here. They are spending a lot of money and only increasing the seating capacity by 3%?

Orlando is a large city and UCF has a large alumni base which should count for a greater seating expansion in this project.

Put the $125 million towards a new, larger stadium since the original cost of $54 million was for a stadium that could be expanded to 65,000K fans.
However, the powers that be, have only decided to expand the stadium to 45K (3%). I can't believe the price tag for the recovery river pool, $5.8 million.

Think Big12 people...

Nah, need to stop looking at seating capacity as a pissing contest. Improve margin, game day experience, appeal to recruits.

It would be cool if they moved the press box to the opposite side of the field so the TV cameras show our team and our premium season ticket holders which are in attendance most/every game.

 

[knight_01]

I agree with upgrading the image of the stadium. We built the stadium on a thin budget because we were in a pickle. This stadium facelift is now building us the stadium we would have wanted in the first place.

 

[BlakNGoldAllDay]

Disagree. Add the premium seating that is in high demand for football. If they don’t show then it’s no skin off our back because you can’t tell anyway. Fast forward this clip to the 10 minute mark from last years game vs E. Carolina, we were 2-2 and coming off the loss to Navy.
Expand the luxury stuff and add 3k more seating right now until we can prove that the stadium will be filled whether we are 11-1 or 1-11.

View embedded media

People won’t show up when we are 1-11. Bama fans wouldn’t either.

 

[goodknightfl]

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2022/06/22/bid-alert-ucf-architect-football-campus-orlando.html?taid=62b3546d36f17e0001eed91a&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+New+Content+(Feed)&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

Really think they are missing the mark here. They are spending a lot of money and only increasing the seating capacity by 3%?

Orlando is a large city and UCF has a large alumni base which should count for a greater seating expansion in this project.

Put the $125 million towards a new, larger stadium since the original cost of $54 million was for a stadium that could be expanded to 65,000K fans.
However, the powers that be, have only decided to expand the stadium to 45K (3%). I can't believe the price tag for the recovery river pool, $5.8 million.

Think Big12 people...

expanding with premium seats, boxes, makes more $$ per buck if at the end of the day we do that plus add 3% capacity all is good. Keep tix a hot item for a few years then figure out how to do it again. I don't think UCF will ever need more than 55k.

 

[PhDee]

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2022/06/22/bid-alert-ucf-architect-football-campus-orlando.html?taid=62b3546d36f17e0001eed91a&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+New+Content+(Feed)&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

Really think they are missing the mark here. They are spending a lot of money and only increasing the seating capacity by 3%?

Orlando is a large city and UCF has a large alumni base which should count for a greater seating expansion in this project.

Put the $125 million towards a new, larger stadium since the original cost of $54 million was for a stadium that could be expanded to 65,000K fans.
However, the powers that be, have only decided to expand the stadium to 45K (3%). I can't believe the price tag for the recovery river pool, $5.8 million.

Think Big12 people...

I want a bigger stadium too, but the demand isn't there yet. Sure, we are packed when we are undefeated and are playing Cincinatti.

But for other games, it's half empty after halftime.

I'm cool with the stadium updates for the meantime.

Our end game should be a concrete stadium that can fit 50k-90k students or one with a dome within the next 20-30 years.

Large concrete stadiums look way more impressive than those built by metal IMO.

 

[UCF_Kaz]

Hopefully they upgrade the lighting while they’re at it.

 

[U C to the F]

Shade would be nice, we should start there. Best thing you could do IMO if you want people to come and stay after half, make it enjoyable to be at the game as opposed to sitting in your pool or A/C watching it on a high def big screen with no lines for food or beverages. My kids like the games but hate the full Sun/heat of the day games. Our colors are black, we live in FL, day games are HOT…not a good combo.

I feel like some sort of sail shade system should be not only very doable but also relatively cheap. But what do I know…

 

[UCF_Kaz]

Shade would be nice, we should start there. Best thing you could do IMO if you want people to come and stay after half, make it enjoyable to be at the game as opposed to sitting in your pool or A/C watching it on a high def big screen with no lines for food or beverages. My kids like the games but hate the full Sun/heat of the day games. Our colors are black, we live in FL, day games are HOT…not a good combo.

I feel like some sort of sail shade system should be not only very doable but also relatively cheap. But what do I know…

Shade is #1 with those hot early games in the season. I’d dream for something to OCSC’s setup.

 

[U C to the F]

Shade is #1 with those hot early games in the season. I’d dream for something to OCSC’s setup.

Not only would it bring shade to many seats, but the aesthetics would greatly improve the stadium look.

 

[KnightVision82]

Today it's replacing the need for more fans.

What's next?

 

[mr. knightman]

Not only would it bring shade to many seats, but the aesthetics would greatly improve the stadium look.

Emphatically agree.

Skin cancer is real. I am VERY high risk and have to go every 6 months versus 2 years. EACH time I'm cut open.

EACH TIME.

I have Cabana seats so I can go up top or in the cabana for shade.

Exploria Stadium downtown had the right idea. It's the god-damned sunshine state.

I had a glimpse of hope about getting some awnings of some degree with all the roofing sponsors that have been interested...

In a state where there is a large Elderly population that are sensitive to heat also, it just seems like a no-brainer...

 

[UCF_Kaz]

A shade structure would make some of the less desirable seats that are furthest from the field into the most popular if they had shade.

 

[mr. knightman]

A shade structure would make some of the less desirable seats that are furthest from the field into the most popular if they had shade.

Agree.

There is no negative to having shade in a stadium.

None.

Zero.

Only benefits.

 

[PositYourself]

Maybe society should focus on slowing climate change.

 

[mr. knightman]

Maybe society should focus on slowing climate change.

I agree...but that's a bit of a non-sequitor injection as we are talking about the sun. The sun has always been a ****ing radiological nightmare that reducing emissions won't tame. That stadium is hot as hell even when it is 85 degrees, that sun just cuts through and the stadium blocks a LOT of the breeze.

 

[Shark19]

The big complaint I hear is that it looks and feels cheap....so another way to go is put money into the infrastructure

 

[mr. knightman]

Good news...

They are going to investigate adding shade:

Shade!

 

[U C to the F]

Nice job man.

 

[Square Knight]

You can shade a portion of the westside and south end zone seats. But it is physically impossible to shade the east side and the north end zone seats.

 

[mr. knightman]

I am sure engineers can figure it out.

I have seen more extreme retrofits on a stadium.

 

[CBlackwellRN]

I am still hoping it is eventually encased in brick. Surrounding the steel structure with a brick facade would improve its look immensely. It would also be quite costly.

 

[BlakNGoldAllDay]

Everything can be done for a hefty price. Even a simple nice looking tarplike structure for shade covering the stadium would cost millions but be a big help for fans and participants on field.

 

[Poolside Knight]

Emphatically agree.

Skin cancer is real. I am VERY high risk and have to go every 6 months versus 2 years. EACH time I'm cut open.

EACH TIME.

I have Cabana seats so I can go up top or in the cabana for shade.

Exploria Stadium downtown had the right idea. It's the god-damned sunshine state.

I had a glimpse of hope about getting some awnings of some degree with all the roofing sponsors that have been interested...

In a state where there is a large Elderly population that are sensitive to heat also, it just seems like a no-brainer...

yep it is hot here but our stadium is a sitting duck for surface temps which makes some games feel like trying to survive a workout …can’t imagine how it feels for older fans

 

[mr. knightman]

Everything can be done for a hefty price. Even a simple nice looking tarplike structure for shade covering the stadium would cost millions but be a big help for fans and participants on field.

Retractable too...

Might be less than a full-steel structure like Exploria, but just as capable.

 

[UCFloridaTech]

I thought I mentioned this previously...

Tethered Baloon(s) hanging an opaque UCF (or "brought to you by [sponsor]") banner between the sun & UCF stadium, shifting with the earth's rotation / sun's celestial path.

Calling on #UCF-Engineering for the design

 

[Stormthecourt?]

I thought I mentioned this previously...

Tethered Baloon(s) hanging an opaque UCF (or "brought to you by [sponsor]") banner between the sun & UCF stadium, shifting with the earth's rotation / sun's celestial path.

Calling on #UCF-Engineering for the design

Putting up the balloons and SPF material is easy. Having it shift with the wind and move into place for afternoon games is the hard part

 

[UCFloridaTech]

Putting up the balloons and SPF material is easy. Having it shift with the wind and move into place for afternoon games is the hard part

They said going to the moon was hard too.

#UCF-Engineering

Let's Gooooooooo!

Big enough hyperlite banner / high enough to cast a shadow 2x the radius of the tuna can will account for wind / shade variation.

Tethering will position & stabilize. Drones can help.

Don't tell me I'm dreaming too big.

😎

 

[Stormthecourt?]

They said going to the moon was hard too.

#UCF-Engineering

Let's Gooooooooo!

Big enough hyperlite banner / high enough to cast a shadow 2x the radius of the tuna can will account for wind / shade variation.

Tethering will position & stabilize. Drones can help.

Don't tell me I'm dreaming too big.

😎

It’s definitely a PHD thesis waiting to happen. Fingers crossed

 

[SimpleJack53]

They said going to the moon was hard too.

#UCF-Engineering

Let's Gooooooooo!

Big enough hyperlite banner / high enough to cast a shadow 2x the radius of the tuna can will account for wind / shade variation.

Tethering will position & stabilize. Drones can help.

Don't tell me I'm dreaming too big.

😎

Drones

 

[Poolside Knight]

Saw some shade discussion elsewhere. If it ends up happening I hope they design it where it doesn’t cover the away team sideline

 

[goodknightfl]

I want a bigger stadium too, but the demand isn't there yet. Sure, we are packed when we are undefeated and are playing Cincinatti.

But for other games, it's half empty after halftime.

I'm cool with the stadium updates for the meantime.

Our end game should be a concrete stadium that can fit 50k-90k students or one with a dome within the next 20-30 years.

Large concrete stadiums look way more impressive than those built by metal IMO.

90k No one builds that today, not even the NFL. 60 should be the absolute max for UCF. and that is likely too big. Old school stadiums were built huge, today the money is in TV, and more luxury items in the stadium.