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Post by 20thandolney on Mar 19, 2013 13:17:03 GMT -5
Describe how the new arena would look if you were building it.
First off, be realistic. Don't describe an arena that would cost one billion dollars to built. Remember this is an arena being used for La Salle basketball.
Give the capacity, location (where on campus), some amenities, the concussions, where are the seats located (will you have seats behind the nets?) and other details.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2013 13:22:26 GMT -5
another facilities thread! the unofficial ban is officially lifted.
here's one: I'm not a fan of retractable seats. I understand why we needed them in the past to create space, but seats must have chairbacks, and should not be made entirely of plastic if you're paying $500 a year plus to get one it should be comfortable and secure.
I also like how Drexel and Delaware and Duquesne, etc. all have a standing section in their designs behind the basket. I even more like the idea that GW and Pittsburgh have their student standing sections on the sideline floor which is prime real estate for donors. they have put the emphasis on getting students more involved (next year's alumni is today's student). I also like students in front row baseline seats behind the baskets (see Cornell for example).
Finally, the arena should not be so nondescript from the street that nobody knows it exists. It should have a grand entrance, and maybe not require a freight elevator for handicapped/pedestrian entrances.
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Post by theneumann64 on Mar 19, 2013 13:24:19 GMT -5
Describe how the new arena would look if you were building it. First off, be realistic. Don't describe an arena that would cost one billion dollars to built. Remember this is an arena being used for La Salle basketball. Give the capacity, location (where on campus), some amenities, the concussions, where are the seats located (will you have seats behind the nets?) and other details. This is a great idea for a thread, but can it really not wait until the NCAA Tournament is over?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2013 13:25:27 GMT -5
seconded. sorry Neumann, I shouldn'ta taken the bait.
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Post by explorer88 on Mar 19, 2013 13:27:32 GMT -5
Hey, I will play in fantasyland for a minute: 5,000-6,000 seats. All chairbacks. No bleachers. A concourse with concenssions at each end and in the middle of the arena between the first and second level. Two large suites for entertaining. Basketball offices that look down on the court. State of the art video boards and sound system. Nice locker rooms with and greeting area with the La Salle logo on the carpet and large televsion screens. State of the art weight facility and training area. A large LED billboard in front of the arena with La Salle news and game announcements. I know beer is out of the question so for concenssions I want real food like a hot roast beef, turkey, ham carving station like UDEL has. I don't care where we put it. Price tag - $50M-$60M ----------I will write the check tomorrow so everyone can enjoy. Before anyone gives me crap.......I also want a Starbuck's in the arena.
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Post by 20thandolney on Mar 19, 2013 13:33:04 GMT -5
Describe how the new arena would look if you were building it. First off, be realistic. Don't describe an arena that would cost one billion dollars to built. Remember this is an arena being used for La Salle basketball. Give the capacity, location (where on campus), some amenities, the concussions, where are the seats located (will you have seats behind the nets?) and other details. This is a great idea for a thread, but can it really not wait until the NCAA Tournament is over? Yeah, I actually thought about this a while ago and was going to wait until the offseason but I decided to create it when I saw the Inquirer article.
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Post by luhoopsfan on Mar 19, 2013 13:44:21 GMT -5
I will take the bait as well 5,000 Seats +/- 2 levels of seats on the sidelines, 1 level behind each basket. In 2 corners a few seats on the lower level but the upper level has an open area for concessions/standing to watch the game, the other corners would have seats in lower level only, upper level is for entrance/exit - you read that correctly TWO ways in and out of the building Above the baseline lower level would have 2 large suites at one end, Offices at the other end Same video boards we have now but placed over the concessions areas in the corners listed Chairbacks on the sidelines all the way to the top, bleachers on baseline seats for students 8 seats - 4 on each side of mid court as legit courtside seats.
Price Tag ~ $25MM
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Post by stlexplorer on Mar 19, 2013 14:01:01 GMT -5
Students and fans on top of the action. I mean right up on the court, make the opponents uncomfortable to play at our place
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Post by coqui900 on Mar 19, 2013 14:15:34 GMT -5
Flip the court. One tier. 3,000 - 4,000 seats.
Student seats at midcourt, like the Kennel at Gonzaga or Pittsburgh.
And remember the track that was above Heyman before they built the arena? Bring that back but with different luxury/event suites and special "Bird's Eye View" seating.
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Post by coachd on Mar 19, 2013 14:18:31 GMT -5
Palestra feel... with bleacher seats behind each basket. Chairbacks for the lower seats that you walk down to from concourse. 6,500 (350 seats in luxury boxes) with room for 250 standing room behind the baskets. Video room that looks onto the court.
Your Explorers Den, adding roast beef and roast pork sandwiches, would open to the concourse on game days. Same goes with your Starbuck's on one side and DD on the other. A TGI Friday's would also help pay for the place.
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Post by gymrat67 on Mar 19, 2013 14:19:46 GMT -5
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Post by giveansk1 on Mar 19, 2013 14:21:43 GMT -5
Only thing I want to add to this discussion is that La Salle should have our team's come out through the student section. Similar to how the Philadelphia Union comes out through the Sons of Ben.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2013 14:34:26 GMT -5
Only thing I want to add to this discussion is that La Salle should have our team's come out through the student section. Similar to how the Philadelphia Union comes out through the Sons of Ben. just want to note that ever since that tradition started with the sons of ben, the MLS has since banned the practice due to intimidating behavior but the union facility is grandfathered in, the last of its kind in that league.
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Post by crayzeeguy on Mar 19, 2013 14:39:48 GMT -5
One of them basketball courts that opens up into a pool - like the one from "It's A Wonderful Life". We could even hold Charleston contests when no events are planned.
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MisterD
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Post by MisterD on Mar 19, 2013 16:10:37 GMT -5
I'd name the bathrooms after various disappointments. "Donnie's Sickness", "K'Zell Denied", "UConn Steals Armstrong", etc, etc.
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Post by lasalle89 on Mar 19, 2013 16:13:18 GMT -5
Like Townsends.
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Post by chris on Mar 19, 2013 16:17:55 GMT -5
During some downtime, I designed a few in Google Sketch-up. I'll post them when I get the chance. This is the best and pretty much only spot on campus i think. The softball field can be moved.
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Post by SICguy84 on Mar 19, 2013 17:06:52 GMT -5
Yes, West Campus is where the arena should be located.
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Post by 20thandolney on Mar 30, 2013 10:56:57 GMT -5
bump
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Post by jellybean on Mar 30, 2013 11:10:10 GMT -5
West Campus has awful access for an arena.
I know that big picture is to develope a stand alone facility. There is little or no space presently for the student intramurals. My suggestion is to build a new facility along side Haymen. Connect the two buildings if need be. Knock down E&F (Edwards and Francis) use the land plus the parking lot. E & F need to be replaces anyway and more dorms need to be constructed. This way parking would have minimal effect.
Again in the big picture, La Salle is looking to build a new parking facility too.
So, we knock down E & F. Build new arena with all the bells and whistles. Practice facilities. Locker rooms. Video room. Offices. Build a modern new dorm with expanded capacity. Build a parking garage.
Anyone hear anything on the Armory property?
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Post by SICguy84 on Mar 30, 2013 11:49:14 GMT -5
If the current campus footprint remains the same, no acquisitions of sizeable tracts of land (Wister Woods Park south of the townhomes or armory) I say again West Campus. I do not believe La Salle would waste money on demolition of dormitories that are useable, albeit old.
Land currently housing parking lots and the walking/jogging track west of the hospital and southwest of the softball field. The new arena to be built there, with access provided by Penn Blvd off Olney Avenue. Also to be constructed, a 3 story parking garage adjacent of the arena structure for games or general commuter use. New arena would also serve for large gatherings, convocations and graduations in inclement weather.
Also if we want to waste more money….southwest of the hospital building sits the physical plant/powerhouse building for the former hospital complex. There is a brick smokestack attached to that building. Place the letters…L..A…S..A..L..L..E down the stack in gold facing east campus.
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Post by jellybean on Mar 30, 2013 12:13:02 GMT -5
Again, access on West campus is awful. Try getting cars out of Penn Blvd. after a game. Any one get stuck in Temple's parking lot after leaving that game? Better bring a lot of patience.
La Salle would not be "wasting" money on a new dorm. If we expect MBB to be succesful and bring us more students then we will need a new dorm anyway. Build another St. Basil's. You would increase the capacity of E&F by 150%. Think of the bigger picture.
On a side note, the townshouse's need a little sprucing up while we are add it.
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Post by lasalle89 on Mar 30, 2013 12:20:08 GMT -5
This is exactly the kind of brainstorming we need. I think we need the arena to have the Bella's and whistles needed to attract players and corporate sponsors. I go to the LV iron pigs games in Allentown. They are the #1 most attended AAA games in the country. The reason is not the quality of baseball. Their marketing plan was based on consumer satisfaction they have suites all along the outfield individuals can own some or part of them you can have as many as 5 different companies sharing a suite each one can decorate a piece anyway you want it. We love going there. It's a destination. We talk laugh eat watch. LaSalle has got put in suites. This will attract businesses. Pitt even has floor suites. The suites will attract casual fans to the games. I would link LaSalle up with the marketing director at the Iron pigs. These guys have giveaways every single game. The schedule has all the giveaways listed. Fans love it. Kids love it adults love it. LaSalle has got to explore different options. We don't need a cheap boring box we seats. We don't need a luxury facility. We need a well thought out plan for our objective. Build a program to compete on the D1 scale. The marketing guy of the iron pigs was asked if he was worried when we were in last place in the first year it opened. He said this is the place to come for a fun experience. Period. Winning is a bonus. Make the new facility a fun experience and they will come. Off to Hollywood Blvd! I am crying because it happened!!
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Post by talkinbball on Mar 30, 2013 12:42:48 GMT -5
This isn't that difficult. Just go to any other gym/arena than ours and look around. In the meantime buy blindfolds for any recruits making their campus visit.
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Post by ck on Mar 30, 2013 12:47:31 GMT -5
I still like the idea of building a new arena on the armory site. Easier to get to off Ogontz Avenue and parking available (use Central lot the way it was for football (that was a nice Sat. event. I went there with relatives 1-2 times a year. Saw an unusual event when La Salle returned a blocked extra point attempt and ran it all the way back).
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Post by SICguy84 on Mar 30, 2013 12:55:19 GMT -5
I don’t know that the armory parcel is large enough to accommodate an arena. Possibly, if they were to use part of the parking lots east of Basil it may be doable. Requires more research.
The school is landlocked, but the best idea that was actually implemented in the last 30 years was the purchasing of the Germantown Hospital property. That track will be paying dividends to the school for decades to come. It’s really a shame that there is not more space southeast of Gola and northeast of the library – where the faculty parking lot is located. If there was more room they could construct the arena there and have frontage onto Olney with a handful of stores and or a restaurant on street level.
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Post by jellybean on Mar 30, 2013 13:12:14 GMT -5
I wasn't referring to using Armory property for an arena. I was really asking if anyone heard anything about that piece of land. I was told the school was close to acquiring it a year ago.
What we don't know is how much land La Salle has already purchased. I believe they have acquired property below the Hospital parking lot near the power plant (Clarkson St.?). There has been talk that the city might allow La Salle to develope that park near South entrance.
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Post by explorerman on Mar 30, 2013 13:26:28 GMT -5
I wasn't referring to using Armory property for an arena. I was really asking if anyone heard anything about that piece of land. I was told the school was close to acquiring it a year ago. What we don't know is how much land La Salle has already purchased. I believe they have acquired property below the Hospital parking lot near the power plant (Clarkson St.?). There has been talk that the city might allow La Salle to develope that park near South entrance. La salle is very close to purchasing the land via a private sale with the city. The school already owns the land down the hill leading down the back of the armory. A fitness center is looking to be added to the in the Haymen Center parking lot or if possible above blue and gold commons that is getting a facelift this summer. There are no immediate plans for the school to use the armory land for anything but a parking lot for the short term. The building is not usable. Also the school starting to purchase townhomes along the north end of campus to hopefully clean out unwanted locals..
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Post by SICguy84 on Mar 30, 2013 13:36:43 GMT -5
Also the school starting to purchase townhomes along the north end of campus to hopefully clean out unwanted locals.. This.
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Post by jellybean on Mar 30, 2013 13:39:36 GMT -5
Thanks explorerman. It confirms some of what I had heard. Shows that the Bro. Mike is being proactive.
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