Stadium renovation to start soon?

[asumike83]

I agree it would be wise to take our time to do it right this time instead of adding bits and pieces that dont mesh, but it would be nice to have a clearly defined plan of what the stadium will look like once finished. Even if it takes several phases to get to a finished product we need to determine what we want KBS to look like. Fundraising would be much eaiser if we gave people a clear vision of the future.

Exactly. I don't expect a 30,000 seat completed product by the time we kick off in 2014 but I do think a plan needs to be laid out, and soon. If they want people to open their wallets, they'd better be able to tell them what they're paying for.

"Pay me now, I'll show you the plans later" is not likely to be very effective and a ten minute Photoshop job from two years ago is not the "Vision for the Future" it's advertised to be.

[bcoach]

Two good, common sense posts in a row. We're in no financial position to start a major stadium expansion. Too many other fish to fry first.

And for those on the edge of their seats--forgedaboud the infamous mock up. It was a quick and dirty graphic for homecoming decoration and hasn't seen, or been seen by, an architect. It's Photoshop 101 stuff strictly to send a message that bigger things are down the road.

It really was refreshing to hear.

[TheMoody1]

You have to pay for the stadium expansion in order to see whats in the plans for expansion.

[GoApps70]

Our administration said we would expand Kidd Brewer just as soon as we accepted FBS.
Well, we went FBS.
Look back, that's what they said.
We have had years to make expansion plans....bet if the wine and cheese crowd had their wet rear ends sitting on the bank we would have had more seats long ago.

[Saint3333]

Link to where they said "as soon as"?

They have said "as funds allow".

Big difference.

[YesAppCan]

The ONLY thing I would "argue" (devil's advocate style) is that IMO, the permanent seating expansion has been paid for already by folks buying a "seat" in the grass the past 6 or 7 years.

[Gonzo]

If that 50 mil athletic allotment from the Campaign for Appalachian is available before the goal is reached, you better believe Chuck Cobb is going to spend most of it on the football stadium, and immediately.

Priority 1 is moving the track. That's why I fully expect Saint to be donating $50 to the campaign next off season.

[moehler]

if they are serious about expansion, and want to do it right, the first thing they need to do is move the track. They have a wonderful piece of land at the old highschool where they could buiid a first class multiple facility. Personally, I would rather them take a few extra years to raise money, move track, then build a first rate football only facility, rather than trying to build around the track.

[ASU-FTW]

I think that 50 million is to be split 50/50 between facilities and scholarships for all sports. We are going to need a good chunk more if we want to expand KBS the way we would all like. We could always take on more debt I suppose, but that really comes down to how much we still have left from the previous upgrades.

[Gonzo]

I think that 50 million is to be split 50/50 between facilities and scholarships for all sports. We are going to need a good chunk more if we want to expand KBS the way we would all like. We could always take on more debt I suppose, but that really comes down to how much we still have left from the previous upgrades.

Hasn't stopped the Obama administration.

[asu66]

if they are serious about expansion, and want to do it right, the first thing they need to do is move the track. They have a wonderful piece of land at the old highschool where they could buiid a first class multiple facility. Personally, I would rather them take a few extra years to raise money, move track, then build a first rate football only facility, rather than trying to build around the track.

Before the university builds anything at the old high school site, it has to have ownership. I believe the price is ONLY $19 million. You buy it and donate it and I'll help retain a landscape architect.

[Antlers68]

Anyone expecting a stadium renovation anytime soon better come with a check in hand.

We just spent $60M three years ago and added 44 more scholarships. I'd rather wait 5 years and expand the right way once more money is raised than piece meal it.

Agreed. I get as hungry as anyone to see new additions or cool trinkets in the stadium every year, and we've been as lucky as anyone in that regard. But I'm willing to give up a few frills to make the move the right way. I'm also not worried about Southern starting their renovations ahead of us. We've been light years ahead for a few years so if they're doing a little something I'll live.

And I agree with your agreement !
Ga. Southern is playing catch-up on the stadium thing. Their own fans say it. Compare their turnout at home for a big game versus App.

[moehler]

like I said, take extra years to raise the cash, even if we do nothing for the next 5 years, we still will have, by SBC standards, a nice stadium. Point is, the next renivations to the stadium will probably be the last for a long, long, time, take our time, raise the money and do it first class. As far as the price tag for the property, that seems to be only one of the problems, not so sure that the county/town will be happy to sell App the property, they already seem to believe that there is a conspericy by App to take over the town, might not sell it to us.

[asumike83]

like I said, take extra years to raise the cash, even if we do nothing for the next 5 years, we still will have, by SBC standards, a nice stadium. Point is, the next renivations to the stadium will probably be the last for a long, long, time, take our time, raise the money and do it first class.

Completely agree that we'd be best served to raise the capital to do it the right way. However, I do not think we could afford to wait around for 5 years. KBS is a nice stadium. By FCS standards, it is top of the line but IMO, is middle of the pack in the SBC as-is and we risk falling behind if we stand pat for too long.

Either way, there needs to be a plan in place and that plan needs to be shared with the fans. Without a specific outline of what the future is at KBS, raising funds for it will be very difficult. Time is money and I think a detailed plan should have been ready to be unveiled to ramp up fundraising efforts as soon as we accepted an FBS invite.

[Maddog1956]

Completely agree that we'd be best served to raise the capital to do it the right way. However, I do not think we could afford to wait around for 5 years. KBS is a nice stadium. By FCS standards, it is top of the line but IMO, is middle of the pack in the SBC as-is and we risk falling behind if we stand pat for too long.

Either way, there needs to be a plan in place and that plan needs to be shared with the fans. Without a specific outline of what the future is at KBS, raising funds for it will be very difficult. Time is money and I think a detailed plan should have been ready to be unveiled to ramp up fundraising efforts as soon as we accepted an FBS invite.

We certainly need a plan and they couldn't borrow the money without one anyway, but if we can fill the seat, sell the boxes, etc no need to not to borrow the money and bring in revenue which would more than cover the interest. If it's not to get sell seats it can wait.

[moehler]

asumike83, I totally agree that the administration needs to come up woth a plan, and share it with the fans. Right now, we just dont know what administration has in the works, and until we have some kind of concrete plan iin place, most fans, including myself, are heistant to give more money.

[GoApps70]

Guess our Chancellor leaving and our AD looking for another school, at least in the past, has us up a tree as far as getting anything done. Shouldn't be that way, regardless of how other occupied they are.

[ASUMountaineer]

Guess our Chancellor leaving and our AD looking for another school, at least in the past, has us up a tree as far as getting anything done. Shouldn't be that way, regardless of how other occupied they are.

That's baseless speculation.

[BeauFoster]

That's baseless speculation.

That's a pretty common theme amongst many posts.

[MountaineerNation]

In the meantime, I wonder if they will make the temporary north end zone bleachers bigger?