If or when CSU finishes their new stadium,

[Cowboy Junky]

What does Wyoming do to respond?

By the time CSU is done building it, we're likely to be done with the AA and close to finished with Corbett Pool. Along the way, the wrestling plant is getting a nice upgrade.

If you think of all the facilities Wyoming has added or improved over the last ten years, it doesn't look like they're are any glaring needs when Corbett is done. What other athletics facilities need improved? The only other thing I can think of aside from the west side of the war is the Fieldhouse.

The obvious answer to me is the west side of War Memorial. With CSU's new football stadium they are projecting a very large increase in revenue. I don't know how accurate those projections are, but we're going to need to produce revenue streams to increase our budget in order to keep up with CSU.

I remember when the athletics department was discussing the Wildcatter they decided on the east side of the stadium because there was more room to build. I even want to say that there wasn't room to build on the west side because of the proximity of the Field House to War Memorial. Would it require us to remove the Field House to build a new structure on the west side similar to the Wildcatter on the east side?

I think that may be the next project on the athletics facilities list after Corbett Pool. We need revenue streams. Another block of luxury suites with a new press box on top would really help. The west side of the war needs restroom, concessions renovations, improved seating, and possibly another tier of seating: an outdoor club section with access to the new bar in the west side of the stadium.

Does that mean we have to tear down the Field House and rebuild it to access the west side of the War? If so, we would have to find a home for indoor track and field. We could probably build them a serviceable indoor facility relatively inexpensively(think Indoor Tennis Facility). I would renovate Uni Wyo sports complex and add to the volleyball and wrestling facilities. The volleyball court/wrestling court could use more seats and the ones they have are too small for a big person.

These are my ideas on facilities after Corbett.

1. Tear down the Field House if necessary to build a new structure on the west side of War Memorial.
2. If you do have to tear down the field house, replace it UniWyo renovation and a facility for the indoor track and field program.
3. Build a new structure on the West side of War Memorial to house another row of luxury suites and a new press box level on top of the suites. Include an indoor club area similar to the Wildcatter, with a bar/restaurant. Create a new tier of outdoor seating(possibly heated seats) next to the structure that includes access to the bar. Renovate the entire west side of the stadium to include seating, restrooms, concessions, handicapped access.....

I think eventually, with the growth of Laramie and Wyoming we might need to enclose an end zone. That's at least a decade or more out. Until then, it looks like the next area to rebuild after Corbett is the west side of War Memorial.

 

[J-Rod]

Large football-only facilities are all the rage these days. All the top programs have them. That would be another project for the future. It provides a big recruiting edge, something Wyoming desperately needs.

 

[Cowboy Junky]

Large football-only facilities are all the rage these days. All the top programs have them. That would be another project for the future. It provides a big recruiting edge, something Wyoming desperately needs.

What else do we need for football aside from stadium upgrades? The west side of the war definitely needs done. When our population and attendance grow, we'll need to enclose the end zone at some point.

The thing we really need are revenue streams. We could address all those with a west side stadium facility.

1. A new tier of seating that includes luxurious seating and beer access.
2. More luxury boxes
3. A restaurant/bar club area
4. Renovated concessions

 

[Cornpoke]

Definitely some kind of structure on the west side that contains Luxury boxes, A "party" deck/Restaurant. For god sakes, just serve alcohol already; many fans leave at halftime for the bars because they have run out of the booze they had to sneak in.

Our stadium upgrades have to be constantly evolving. You can't just upgrade and stop anymore. Other programs are constantly starting one project after another. Gotta keep up.

 

[McPeachy]

There needs to be a vision...so there is that first. And we don't have that. But the sumbitch may read this post and run with it, so here it goes.

If I were AD (LOL) - outside of the obvious lower west stand shit mess that needs a major fix:

1. I would fundraise / lobby / push for a south side enclosure. I would make it 6 - 8K in seats, with a rooftop deck / bar / patio like what Coors Field did. Maybe put the band there (lower section - endzone) - and maybe put some suites there. Chairback seats maybe, who knows. Something kick ass - innovative, and would block a lot of the weather from the south, while maintaining a great outdoor venue. If suites & patio & chairback seating is included, it would probably pay for itself in a few years.

2. I would completely renovate the sounds system (model after Sports Authority Field), and add mid - level video boards like what you see at all current facilities (like Sports Authority Field also). Not only would video boards be an additional revenue source, but would make the appearance and fan experience better.

3. I would run a "AA Reseating" plan on the War. Proabably would piss off some folks, but it is what it is. Set it up so that sections C, D, E, and F are all seat back chairs, at a premium. Same with DD, EE, FF. Contemplate doing the same with 24, 25, and 26.

And here is another thing I would serious consider...switch fan-sides...move the students to the lower west, and the old bastards to the lower east. Put the students right behind the visitors. Or switch player-field sides. Something to make our beloved UW not seem like nice guy pussies and put the students in the heads of the competition. Like New Mexico (and many others).

That would be enough for now at least. Maybe the vision of CSewe will force the issue, sure hope so!

 

[BJC]

There needs to be a vision...so there is that first. And we don't have that. But the sumbitch may read this post and run with it, so here it goes.

If I were AD (LOL) - outside of the obvious lower west stand shit mess that needs a major fix:

1. I would fundraise / lobby / push for a south side enclosure. I would make it 6 - 8K in seats, with a rooftop deck / bar / patio like what Coors Field did. Maybe put the band there (lower section - endzone) - and maybe put some suites there. Chairback seats maybe, who knows. Something kick ass - innovative, and would block a lot of the weather from the south, while maintaining a great outdoor venue. If suites & patio & chairback seating is included, it would probably pay for itself in a few years.

2. I would completely renovate the sounds system (model after Sports Authority Field), and add mid - level video boards like what you see at all current facilities (like Sports Authority Field also). Not only would video boards be an additional revenue source, but would make the appearance and fan experience better.

3. I would run a "AA Reseating" plan on the War. Proabably would piss off some folks, but it is what it is. Set it up so that sections C, D, E, and F are all seat back chairs, at a premium. Same with DD, EE, FF. Contemplate doing the same with 24, 25, and 26.

And here is another thing I would serious consider...switch fan-sides...move the students to the lower west, and the old bastards to the lower east. Put the students right behind the visitors. Or switch player-field sides. Something to make our beloved UW not seem like nice guy pussies and put the students in the heads of the competition. Like New Mexico (and many others).

That would be enough for now at least. Maybe the vision of CSewe will force the issue, sure hope so!

:thumb:

 

[joshvanklomp]

I know I'm an outsider and I've never actually stepped foot in Laramie, but McPeachy's idea of enclosing the south side seems the most realistic.

In theory, it could also be a spot for the student section, as well.

 

[Cuttslam]

Yea, thats what we need, more empty seats.

 

[McPeachy]

Yea, thats what we need, more empty seats.

And there lies the reason UW will always be who they have always been. Mediocre.

I mean, why build something great, why upgrade anything, why make the fan experience superior, why put a seat premium & chairbacks in place, why move sides of the field, why renovate anything? We are who we are, and that is just god damned good enough!

 

[Cowboy Junky]

I agree that the south end will eventually be enclosed, I just think they'll do the west side first.

I like the chair back seating idea for the west side. Some combination of chair back seating and access to beer in the new west side club would provide incentive for people to pay more for their seats. I guess demand would determine the size of section one would need chair back seats and beer access. Reseatting would be necessary with the west side renovated.

The revenue streams are necessary though, so luxury boxes, a new club/bar/restaurant area, and an outdoor club section on the west side need to be built. Any structure on the west side is going to decrease capacity at the War. If it drops it down to 28,000 maybe it's a good idea we enclose the south end zone right away.

What would be perfect is a tiered system to the south end zone. The first phase of the project adds the lower level seats in the south, maybe 6000 in total, putting us around 34,000 with the reduction on the west side. Then, as you need more seats you simply add to the structure in the south endzone. Eventually, when the entire south end zone project is done the total capacity of the war is around 40,000.

 

[LawPoke]

There needs to be a vision...so there is that first. And we don't have that. But the sumbitch may read this post and run with it, so here it goes.

If I were AD (LOL) - outside of the obvious lower west stand shit mess that needs a major fix:

1. I would fundraise / lobby / push for a south side enclosure. I would make it 6 - 8K in seats, with a rooftop deck / bar / patio like what Coors Field did. Maybe put the band there (lower section - endzone) - and maybe put some suites there. Chairback seats maybe, who knows. Something kick ass - innovative, and would block a lot of the weather from the south, while maintaining a great outdoor venue. If suites & patio & chairback seating is included, it would probably pay for itself in a few years.

2. I would completely renovate the sounds system (model after Sports Authority Field), and add mid - level video boards like what you see at all current facilities (like Sports Authority Field also). Not only would video boards be an additional revenue source, but would make the appearance and fan experience better.

3. I would run a "AA Reseating" plan on the War. Proabably would piss off some folks, but it is what it is. Set it up so that sections C, D, E, and F are all seat back chairs, at a premium. Same with DD, EE, FF. Contemplate doing the same with 24, 25, and 26.

And here is another thing I would serious consider...switch fan-sides...move the students to the lower west, and the old bastards to the lower east. Put the students right behind the visitors. Or switch player-field sides. Something to make our beloved UW not seem like nice guy pussies and put the students in the heads of the competition. Like New Mexico (and many others).

That would be enough for now at least. Maybe the vision of CSewe will force the issue, sure hope so!

I really like this list. Frankly, having been to Coors Field very recently, the vibe in the "Rooftop" is really positive. It seems like a revised take on Club Seats that has a young feel to it. I think it could be really neat - my only question is, does it fit in the context of a really windy place with a colder weather sport? Dunno.

I would only add that I think the West stands need some love - I was over there for the Spring Game and it looks pretty run down. Likely would help to add some chairbacks for the blue hairs, wherever you put them, and for hell's sake, why do we use the War as a storage barn for all of the excess property/sand/old turf, etc. of the University. It looks like my garage after my wife has cleaned out her closets for crying in the night.

As for the rest, I think you nailed it, Peachy. Well done. Wanna be AD?

 

[WyoBrandX]

I thought I had read somewhere that after the AA remodel was done they were going to start working on the lower west side concourse and after that they were looking at rebuilding the press boxes.

I'm not sure where I read that at however.

 

[ragtimejoe1]

If the money for building and renovations could be used elsewhere, I would create investment accounts which interest could be used for recruiting or whatever.

I assume that money can't be used elsewhere, so I think McPeachy's lists look pretty good.

 

[joshvanklomp]

Yea, thats what we need, more empty seats.

And there lies the reason UW will always be who they have always been. Mediocre.

I mean, why build something great, why upgrade anything, why make the fan experience superior, why put a seat premium & chairbacks in place, why move sides of the field, why renovate anything? We are who we are, and that is just god damned good enough!

We have heard the same thing in Minnesota for far too long. Luckily though, upgrades have still been made.

 

[Adv8RU12]

There are three things that would vastly improve the War and many other stadiums: stadium seats, stadium seats, stadium seats. My old ass and back would welcome it.

 

[ragtimejoe1]

There are three things that would vastly improve the War and many other stadiums: stadium seats, stadium seats, stadium seats. My old ass and back would welcome it.

Since I'm well over a thousand miles away, I no longer have season tickets and usually can only make a home game or two a year.

Do they offer stadium seats that sit on the bleachers for season tick holders? Other venues I've been at have bleachers only. If you are a season ticket holder, you can pay a little extra and they set up a stadium seat for you each game.

 

[Cowboy Junky]

I thought I had read somewhere that after the AA remodel was done they were going to start working on the lower west side concourse and after that they were looking at rebuilding the press boxes.

I'm not sure where I read that at however.

I thought I read something like that too.

I do know that after the AA they have a pretty expensive project on deck with Corbett Pool. That's not some easy fix like the indoor tennis facility or the golf IPF that costs 2-3 million. It probably will cost upwards of 20 million.

The west side is a shit show. I always sit on the east side of the stadium. During the spring game I had to use the restroom and the only one open was on the west side. I forgot how bad it was down there.

The entire west side needs done just like the east side: restrooms, concessions, structural repairs, press box....

The West side has the most potential revenue streams. You could do the same thing in the south endzone, but I think it makes sense to save the south end zone until after the west side is done, unless you sacrifice to much seating in the west side. Then we would need to do the south end immediately.

Ideally, to maximize revenue streams, you would have some type of luxury boxes and a club section at all three locations: east, west, and south. The east side is done. I doubt there is demand for two new club sections(west and south) or two new luxury box sections(west and south). That's why I think we would be better served to do the west first and then wait on the south side until the attendance peaks and demand raises for more club seating/luxury boxes.

They have shown a willingness to serve beer in the Wildcatter. Hopefully, they'll move that opportunity to the west stands as well. With club sections that have chair back seating and beer access you can seperate the fans on the west side that drink from those that don't drink, keeping the kids away from the drunks.

It will be interesting to see the upcoming athletics plan. That should give us an idea of their direction.

 

[Wyo2dal]

Yea, thats what we need, more empty seats.

And there lies the reason UW will always be who they have always been. Mediocre.

I mean, why build something great, why upgrade anything, why make the fan experience superior, why put a seat premium & chairbacks in place, why move sides of the field, why renovate anything? We are who we are, and that is just god damned good enough!

This ^^

 

[WyoBrandX]

Ah - this may be where i read it:

http://cowboyjoeclub.com/major-gifts/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wyoming Athletics has created a culture of Excellence, Pride, and Tradition which has proven to be successful in the Mountain West Conference. To provide our athletes with the finest practice facilities and competitive venues, Wyoming Athletics is launching its second phase of facility upgrades. Completed projects that took place during the first phase included the Indoor Practice Facility, installation of the Jonah Field turf, renovations to the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex, Memorial 8 Track, UniWyo Sports Complex, and War Memorial Field House. Additional finished projects include additions to the east side entrance into War Memorial Stadium and Warburton Plaza, the Wildcatter Stadium Club & Suites, and Tennis Facility.

Future projects that will require the largest athletics campaign in school history will include; upgrades and renovations to the Arena Auditorium, a new competitive swimming and diving facility, an indoor state-of-the-art golf training facility, Rochelle Athletics Center improvements, wrestling facility upgrades, renovations to the lower west side of War Memorial Stadium and installation of lights at the Madrid Sports Complex.

 

[Cowboy Junky]

Ah - this may be where i read it:

http://cowboyjoeclub.com/major-gifts/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wyoming Athletics has created a culture of Excellence, Pride, and Tradition which has proven to be successful in the Mountain West Conference. To provide our athletes with the finest practice facilities and competitive venues, Wyoming Athletics is launching its second phase of facility upgrades. Completed projects that took place during the first phase included the Indoor Practice Facility, installation of the Jonah Field turf, renovations to the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex, Memorial 8 Track, UniWyo Sports Complex, and War Memorial Field House. Additional finished projects include additions to the east side entrance into War Memorial Stadium and Warburton Plaza, the Wildcatter Stadium Club & Suites, and Tennis Facility.

Future projects that will require the largest athletics campaign in school history will include; upgrades and renovations to the Arena Auditorium, a new competitive swimming and diving facility, an indoor state-of-the-art golf training facility, Rochelle Athletics Center improvements, wrestling facility upgrades, renovations to the lower west side of War Memorial Stadium and installation of lights at the Madrid Sports Complex.

Nice. That's it.

I wonder what improvements they are planning on making to the Rochelle Athletics Center.