http://www.wyosports.net/university_of_wyoming/wyoming-s-arena-auditorium-primed-for-a-major-renovation/article_896c6f50-d630-11e2-a520-001a4bcf887a.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
-
Hi Guest, want to participate in the discussions, keep track of read/unread posts and more? Create your free account and increase the benefits of your WyoNation.com experience today!
AA primed for major renovation [Gagliardi]
- Thread starter MrTitleist
- Start date
Like he says, it's either sink or swim. Let's see, wasn't that close to 450 million that Mead chose to put into the Rainy Day Fund Account which is in the billions. Never mind that our infrastructure is falling apart and budgets all over the state are being cut and workers laid off.
McPeachy
Well-known member
Hang on, used 600 times during it's 30 year life? That is 20 times a year. Granted, much more than the War, but from a business perspective not too great of an ROI. And of course, same could be said for the War, the ROI could be much better if somebody (or some group) had any kind of vision.
BackHarlowRoad
Well-known member
McPeachy said:
We have many people here who are frustrated that the University doesn't put enough time, money, and effort into Athletics. Then we have people here who feel that upgrades aren't a good investment. Which is it, people??
McPeachy
Well-known member
BackHarlowRoad said:
And then there is me. The third option: Have a vision. Make things the absolute best attainable, and then go one step further. Invest in athletics (as the front door to UW) like you want to be the next Nebraska...not like you want to be the next Idaho State. And further, making the investment is great - but how about UW capitalizing on that investment better. Certainly there are options to do more. Some out of the box forward thinking, inspiration, and goal setting would be nice to see from the department / administration. Certainly it wasn't Burman & staff that inspired to develop the RAC, IPF, Wildcatter, Indoor Tennis Courts, etc., etc. But good for him on the AA renovation (maybe - not sure if that hasn't been in the works for 10 or so years either) and the golf indoor thing idea is probably his.
BackHarlowRoad
Well-known member
I'm confused. So what is your vision on the AA? What would you do differently?
BeaverPoke
Well-known member
Maybe sometime in the next 50 years they can build new dorms.
Every community college in the state has nicer dorms that UW.
Every community college in the state has nicer dorms that UW.
McPeachy
Well-known member
BackHarlowRoad said:
I would walk this whole thing through a little more. Meaning...
1. Why not build an additional facility for practice, if practice is the primary reason to renovate? It has been stated in several outlets that this renovation will provide more practice space (by turning the court and removing seating), and that this a very much needed thing for UW basketball. Take a look at these for instance:
2. When the AA first opened in '82, there were a LOT more events held there, then say the past 10 - 20 years. The list is long, but concerts alone outnumbered the current significantly. Wyovanian even went to the Loverboy concert there in 1986 and loved it. There was also PBR - that occurred 2 times per year there. Basically, what I am saying is, build it - build it right - and use it right. Think outside the box. Have some events there. Do some trade shows (or similar) - do some conventions, do some fundraisers, etc., etc. Maximize the dollars spent, so you can increase the revenue, and reinvest.
3. The list goes on and on. But those are some quick thoughts. Same goes with the WAR / fieldhouse / IPF / FIB arena / etc.
NowherePoke
Well-known member
McPeachy said:BackHarlowRoad said:
I would walk this whole thing through a little more. Meaning...
1. Why not build an additional facility for practice, if practice is the primary reason to renovate? It has been stated in several outlets that this renovation will provide more practice space (by turning the court and removing seating), and that this a very much needed thing for UW basketball. Take a look at these for instance:
2. When the AA first opened in '82, there were a LOT more events held there, then say the past 10 - 20 years. The list is long, but concerts alone outnumbered the current significantly. Wyovanian even went to the Loverboy concert there in 1986 and loved it. There was also PBR - that occurred 2 times per year there. Basically, what I am saying is, build it - build it right - and use it right. Think outside the box. Have some events there. Do some trade shows (or similar) - do some conventions, do some fundraisers, etc., etc. Maximize the dollars spent, so you can increase the revenue, and reinvest.
3. The list goes on and on. But those are some quick thoughts. Same goes with the WAR / fieldhouse / IPF / FIB arena / etc.
In reality we need both. It would not be sufficient to just build a practice facility. We would need to remodel the AA as well.
Is it small-time to try to accomplish both with the same reno? Probably. The question is, who is small-time? The administration/leadership at UW in not being able to build a big-time vision to drive the types of fundraising revenue required to reach that level (say, $60-75 million or so total, $45-60 on the arena, $15 for the practice facility which is about what UNLV spend on Mendenhall or about what Oregon State just spent on their new practice facility), or our donor base (which includes all of us at some level) for not being able to provide the types of donations required to do so? Or both?
Anyway, I actually don't mind the plans for the AA. I am just glad we are doing something there.
McPeachy
Well-known member
NowherePoke said:
We do need both, you are correct. And yes, I think it is small time not to accomplish both at the same time. I think it starts with the current people "in office"...and goes from there. I am also glad that something is being done, but I also think it is like replacing your dead batteries with used ones.
BackHarlowRoad
Well-known member
Question. I don't know the answer.
Do you think the city of Laramie and private organizations try to host trade shows and concerts, etc. in the AA but the University turns them down? Or do you think there just isn't interest in doing that sort of thing from the outside groups?
Sidenote: I question the judgment of anyone who listens to Loverboy and actually enjoys it :rofl: JK
Do you think the city of Laramie and private organizations try to host trade shows and concerts, etc. in the AA but the University turns them down? Or do you think there just isn't interest in doing that sort of thing from the outside groups?
Sidenote: I question the judgment of anyone who listens to Loverboy and actually enjoys it :rofl: JK
wyocowboy2014
Well-known member
People have attempted to host concerts in the AA along with other athletic facilities. Athletics really does not seem to want this. It is very hard to get them to agree to it and when they do, you pay a lot and they want their name on everything.BackHarlowRoad said:
Dumb. The Adams Center on the U of Montana campus (where M and W bball play) hosts trade shows, gun shows, home and garden shows, concerts (saw Foo Fighters there!), the three local high schools have their graduations there, roller derby.. it keeps pretty busy.. not sure why the AA couldn't do the same. UM also wants to get into hosting state high school basketball and/or wrestling.
BeaverPoke
Well-known member
Just so you guys know, there was a concert held at the AA. It was Mac Miller, one of the more famous rappers out there among college age kids, and a few other popular rappers with him in Spring. There may have been more but I don't give 2 shits about going to concerts, especially ones that the UW Student Government brings in.
Anyways, it was a sold out show and very crowded, but I do not know if there were more or not. Probably not as Shyatt and company don't want a concert on their floor on a Friday night then play a b-ball game the next day.
Anyways, it was a sold out show and very crowded, but I do not know if there were more or not. Probably not as Shyatt and company don't want a concert on their floor on a Friday night then play a b-ball game the next day.
wyocowboy2014
Well-known member
Sold out my ass. It was easily the worst concert I have ever attended and I was only there 10 minutes. I know that that concert took a lot of convincing of the athletic department though.BeaverPoke said:
Concerts I remember at the AA:
Beach Boys (1982) - I went to that one. The sound was terrible in the arena, something like listening to the Beach Boys through a mud-soaked pillow
Flock of Seagulls (1982 or 1983)
The Tubes (1987ish) - Big money loser, IIRC
There were more. But the business dried up as the crowds weren't as good as originally projected.
Beach Boys (1982) - I went to that one. The sound was terrible in the arena, something like listening to the Beach Boys through a mud-soaked pillow
Flock of Seagulls (1982 or 1983)
The Tubes (1987ish) - Big money loser, IIRC
There were more. But the business dried up as the crowds weren't as good as originally projected.
BeaverPoke
Well-known member
wyocowboy2014 said:
Sold out for a concert. Different max attendance than at a game.
wyocowboy2014
Well-known member
I know. It was not sold out for a concert.
