New basketball venue for usu

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New basketball venue for usu

Post by 303aggie » July 27th, 2020, 9:16 pm

Within usu athletics, there is a committee that is considering 2 options for the future of Utah state basketball.

1) total make-over of the spectrum including elevating the roof and all new seating.
or
2) constructing a new basketball venue/arena which would be located and built across the street from the Stan laub indoor football facility along 1400N where the current cross country course is.

It appears that option 2 is becoming more and more likely with a time table of beginning construction 4-5 years down the road.
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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by Aggie84025 » July 27th, 2020, 9:36 pm

I like the spectrum the way it is. I realize the need to have additional avenues of revenue the spectrum doesnt have but when the aggies are good there few better atmospheres in basketball.
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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by slcagg » July 27th, 2020, 9:38 pm

303aggie wrote:
July 27th, 2020, 9:16 pm
Within usu athletics, there is a committee that is considering 2 options for the future of Utah state basketball.

1) total make-over of the spectrum including elevating the roof and all new seating.
or
2) constructing a new basketball venue/arena which would be located and built across the street from the Stan laub indoor football facility along 1400N where the current cross country course is.

It appears that option 2 is becoming more and more likely with a time table of beginning construction 4-5 years down the road.
Any word on capacity? Assume capacity would decrease and luxury seating of some sort would be added.

I also wonder if sports don’t happen or if there is massive revenue loss this year if that timetable gets pushed out 10-15 years instead of 4-5.



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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by Roy McAvoy » July 27th, 2020, 10:19 pm

Why not build it where current spectrum parking is down below and just north of the spectrum? I know that a plan talked about a few years ago.

Parking would then replace where the spectrum is now.



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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by FL350Aggie » July 27th, 2020, 10:57 pm

I vote option 1
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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by Winning Team » July 27th, 2020, 10:59 pm

Elevating the roof would just make the atmosphere worse. I don’t know anyone that has been in the spectrum say,”man I wish this roof was higher”
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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by BearLakeMonster » July 27th, 2020, 11:07 pm

Winning Team wrote:
July 27th, 2020, 10:59 pm
Elevating the roof would just make the atmosphere worse. I don’t know anyone that has been in the spectrum say,”man I wish this roof was higher”
Elevating the roof would allow for room to add an upper deck of bleachers. You could also put suites at the top of the bowl. That could be kinda cool.

However, one of the biggest problems is the concourse width for circulation and concessions. Raising the roof and adding suites won't make that any easier to fix unless they blow out the walls and make the above-ground part of the structure wider.


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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by Intermeddler » July 27th, 2020, 11:40 pm

At one point I heard discussion of building it East of the football stadium and essentially connecting them with a plaza as part of an east side remodel of the football stadium.

I assume that’s off the table?



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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by 2004AG » July 28th, 2020, 6:23 am

Option 1 would just be putting lipstick on a pig and a bad idea


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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by slcagg » July 28th, 2020, 7:27 am

Anyone seen the new university of Houston stadium. That is pretty sweet.



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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by NVAggie » July 28th, 2020, 7:44 am

I think we just start fresh.



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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by Aggieiester » July 28th, 2020, 8:21 am

If I recall correctly, one of the downsides of renovation is that it could take at least a year to complete, we would have to find somewhere else to play home games for one season. This is years old information so maybe things have changed.

You can't go back and change the past but I wish they would have not built the Spectrum as cheap as they did, a little more room between the seats and a little bigger concourse would have been good, also there is no room to expand the footprint of the arena to the east or west otherwise a renovation would have been the best option. As it is either way they do the project will cost the university tens of millions of extra dollars.
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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by Roy McAvoy » July 28th, 2020, 9:03 am

Right now I'm feeling like the college sports bubble is about to be popped. I can't imagine funding a new bball arena in the near future. Can we just keep the Spectrum for the foreseeable future?
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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by Aggie in Boise » July 28th, 2020, 9:04 am

Aggieiester wrote:
July 28th, 2020, 8:21 am
If I recall correctly, one of the downsides of renovation is that it could take at least a year to complete, we would have to find somewhere else to play home games for one season. This is years old information so maybe things have changed.

You can't go back and change the past but I wish they would have not built the Spectrum as cheap as they did, a little more room between the seats and a little bigger concourse would have been good, also there is no room to expand the footprint of the arena to the east or west otherwise a renovation would have been the best option. As it is either way they do the project will cost the university tens of millions of extra dollars.
You are correct. Hartwell said that a likely option would be the Vivint Smart Home Arena. That would be a logistical nightmare for one or two seasons. Not to mention it's unlikely that we would have many students attend games, especially during the week.


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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by aggietime » July 28th, 2020, 9:07 am

Dislike both ideas. As others have said, raising the roof on the Spectrum takes away from the current atmosphere which is so intimidating. That building has enough problems that I'm not sure a renovation can fix.

Building on 1400 North is too far from where most students live. One of the hidden beauties of the Spectrum is how accessible/walkable it is for the vast majority of students on campus, and it's right across the street for tons of students off campus.

The first option is the more palatable of the two, but I prefer building either on the parking lot below the Spectrum or just east of Maverik.
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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by NVAggie » July 28th, 2020, 9:41 am

Clear out Aggie Village, add a new spectrum, add more parking and tailgate options as well.
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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by aggies22 » July 28th, 2020, 10:01 am

If I remember correctly, I once had a scenario described to me that would include tearing down where the surplus store and the parking enforcement ticket office and whatever else is housed in those buildings and putting a basketball stadium there. That way the parking for the football stadium could be utilized and the need for buses would be eliminated.
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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by bpd » July 28th, 2020, 10:05 am

Nothing is getting done in the current economic situation in college athletics, especially spending millions. In reality, there is a good chance that many of our coaches are taking pay cuts this year. Given the situation, a new stadium won't be on the horizon for 7-10 years.



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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by bwcrc » July 28th, 2020, 11:02 am

As a student doing a story for The Statesman, possibly for the heating plant and tunnels that were under construction, I met with the VP for facilities and he showed me several plans for future projects all across campus. Some of these projects were for 20 years down the road (or about now). While I have no specific recollection of any project, USU is similar to most schools and businesses in planning for future projects.

A goal of doing something in the next 4-5 years is probably an admission that the Spectrum is nearing the end of its useful life. While renovations could work, my preference would be to replace the Spectrum but maintain in the new stadium a lot of what makes the Spectrum so special from a fan perspective. Replacement is probably more economical in the long run while also allowing for a venue that can be repurposed for non-athletic events, thereby providing an additional revenue stream. With it taking several years to plan this type of project, glad to hear it is being actively considered instead of USU shelving any future plans due to fear of COVID.



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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by mcaggie1 » July 28th, 2020, 11:16 am

NVAggie wrote:
July 28th, 2020, 7:44 am
I think we just start fresh.
I agree we start fresh, but on the current Location. Raze the old one and build one :

1. A similar arena like what we have
2. Suites around the top bringing the capacity to 11,000+
3: little bit bigger rest rooms.
4, more leg room
5: mostly navy blue seats with white seats spelling out USU
6. Run an extra shuttle bus or two so people won’t have to wait as long.



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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by ViAggie » July 28th, 2020, 11:20 am

I like the idea of it being built off-campus if possible, make it a public/private venture that could be used as a multi-purpose event center. Beer and wine sales!
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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by MrBiggle » July 28th, 2020, 12:32 pm

Aggie84025 wrote:
July 27th, 2020, 9:36 pm
I like the spectrum the way it is. I realize the need to have additional avenues of revenue the spectrum doesnt have but when the aggies are good there few better atmospheres in basketball.
+1000


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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by ProvoAggie » July 28th, 2020, 1:40 pm

If we get a new arena then the capacity will probably be between 7500-9000 with up to 1000 of those seats being premium (suites, club, etc). Attendance is declining nationally and making tickets harder to get helps with the brand. From what I've heard, Craig Smith doesn't want the new arena to happen. He likes the Spectrum just the way it is.
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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by oleblu111 » July 28th, 2020, 1:59 pm

The problem with the autumn vomit is that revenue is very small compared to what it could be a $1 million dollar per year increase is very possible, which would more double the current revenue stream.

I would like a arena with 11,000 seat with as much room for students as possible. maybe 3,000 seats for them. They creat the atmosphere much more than what the building does.



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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by bigwilly087 » July 28th, 2020, 3:32 pm

Aggieiester wrote:
July 28th, 2020, 8:21 am
If I recall correctly, one of the downsides of renovation is that it could take at least a year to complete, we would have to find somewhere else to play home games for one season.
Well fast track the build now. Without fans the team could play in the Estes Center this year.



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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by Aglicious » July 28th, 2020, 3:40 pm

Both PA and I have put this out there before and I believe it is public (if not, AD can hate me.....more) but here's the study that was completed for both the renovation of the Spectrum and the proposed four locations (in order of preference) for a new replacement event center. Renovation of the Spectrum would bring capacity to approx. 11.3k and a new event center would be in the neighborhood of 9k. None of the 4 locations proposed in the master plan are near the IPF.

Link: Spectrum Renovation Study
Link: New Event Center Potential Locations

These are taken from the USU Master Plan for north campus compiled in 2018.



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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by 2004AG » July 28th, 2020, 4:06 pm

Aglicious wrote:
July 28th, 2020, 3:40 pm
Both PA and I have put this out there before and I believe it is public (if not, AD can hate me.....more) but here's the study that was completed for both the renovation of the Spectrum and the proposed four locations (in order of preference) for a new replacement event center. Renovation of the Spectrum would bring capacity to approx. 11.3k and a new event center would be in the neighborhood of 9k. None of the 4 locations proposed in the master plan are near the IPF.

Link: Spectrum Renovation Study
Link: New Event Center Potential Locations

These are taken form the USU Master Plan for north campus compiled in 2018.

#1 and #4 are by far the best options.

#3 seems too jammed in and crowds the football stadium.

#2 is too far away from the students to walk.
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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by aggies22 » July 28th, 2020, 4:11 pm

2004AG wrote:
July 28th, 2020, 4:06 pm
Aglicious wrote:
July 28th, 2020, 3:40 pm
Both PA and I have put this out there before and I believe it is public (if not, AD can hate me.....more) but here's the study that was completed for both the renovation of the Spectrum and the proposed four locations (in order of preference) for a new replacement event center. Renovation of the Spectrum would bring capacity to approx. 11.3k and a new event center would be in the neighborhood of 9k. None of the 4 locations proposed in the master plan are near the IPF.

Link: Spectrum Renovation Study
Link: New Event Center Potential Locations

These are taken form the USU Master Plan for north campus compiled in 2018.

#1 and #4 are by far the best options.

#3 seems too jammed in and crowds the football stadium.

#2 is too far away from the students to walk.
In all honesty, The Spectrum is currently too far away for the students to walk.



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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by 2004AG » July 28th, 2020, 4:15 pm

aggies22 wrote:
July 28th, 2020, 4:11 pm
2004AG wrote:
July 28th, 2020, 4:06 pm
Aglicious wrote:
July 28th, 2020, 3:40 pm
Both PA and I have put this out there before and I believe it is public (if not, AD can hate me.....more) but here's the study that was completed for both the renovation of the Spectrum and the proposed four locations (in order of preference) for a new replacement event center. Renovation of the Spectrum would bring capacity to approx. 11.3k and a new event center would be in the neighborhood of 9k. None of the 4 locations proposed in the master plan are near the IPF.

Link: Spectrum Renovation Study
Link: New Event Center Potential Locations

These are taken form the USU Master Plan for north campus compiled in 2018.

#1 and #4 are by far the best options.

#3 seems too jammed in and crowds the football stadium.

#2 is too far away from the students to walk.
In all honesty, The Spectrum is currently too far away for the students to walk.
Its far away from the dorms, but close to off campus housing. But I lived in Campus Corner and just off 800 East, so it was easy walking for me. But you're right, maybe #4 is the best option.



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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by 2004AG » July 28th, 2020, 4:16 pm

Also, how bad does it suck that the cemetery was built right there???!!?!? Such prime land and its like the ONLY thing that could never be moved.



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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by Aggie in Boise » July 28th, 2020, 4:22 pm

ProvoAggie wrote:
July 28th, 2020, 1:40 pm
If we get a new arena then the capacity will probably be between 7500-9000 with up to 1000 of those seats being premium (suites, club, etc). Attendance is declining nationally and making tickets harder to get helps with the brand. From what I've heard, Craig Smith doesn't want the new arena to happen. He likes the Spectrum just the way it is.
Does this mean that he's planning on sticking around for a while?


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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by aggies22 » July 28th, 2020, 4:24 pm

2004AG wrote:
July 28th, 2020, 4:16 pm
Also, how bad does it suck that the cemetery was built right there???!!?!? Such prime land and its like the ONLY thing that could never be moved.
Have you NEVER seen Poltergeist? I'm mean if you can put up with the hauntings and the occasional being pulled into the Jumbotron. This could turn into a real home-court advantage for us.
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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by aggies22 » July 28th, 2020, 4:26 pm

ProvoAggie wrote:
July 28th, 2020, 1:40 pm
If we get a new arena then the capacity will probably be between 7500-9000 with up to 1000 of those seats being premium (suites, club, etc). Attendance is declining nationally and making tickets harder to get helps with the brand. From what I've heard, Craig Smith doesn't want the new arena to happen. He likes the Spectrum just the way it is.
When Coach Smith signs a lifetime deal, then he can have a say. (This is me encouraging Coach Smith to sign it!)



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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by 72AgGrad » July 28th, 2020, 4:53 pm

mcaggie1 wrote:
July 28th, 2020, 11:16 am
NVAggie wrote:
July 28th, 2020, 7:44 am
I think we just start fresh.
I agree we start fresh, but on the current Location. Raze the old one and build one :

1. A similar arena like what we have
2. Suites around the top bringing the capacity to 11,000+
3: little bit bigger rest rooms.
4, more leg room
5: mostly navy blue seats with white seats spelling out USU
6. Run an extra shuttle bus or two so people won’t have to wait as long.
I'd be on board with those ideas. With attendance going down all over the country, I don't think we need to increase capacity by much, if at all from the current 10,270. Maybe adding a few hundred premium seats for big dollar donors, if we have that many. I'd like to see wider concourses with more concession options, more leg room, wider spacing between seat sections, bigger and better restrooms and, yes, please, navy blue seats. I don't know, but I would guess the seats we currently have were installed due to low price, but if we're going to build a better arena, put in the blue seats.



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Re: New basketball venue for usu

Post by oleblu111 » July 28th, 2020, 5:03 pm

The problem with building in where it is now is where do you play for the two to three years needed to construct a new arena ?



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