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West side War Memorial renovation will be pricey....

Cowboy Junky

Cowboy Junky

Well-known member
You can listen to an interview with Tom Burman here. In it he discusses the west side of War Memorial and the costs to improve that side of the stadium. That project is next.

https://www.kfbcradio.com/wyoming-ad-tom-burman-talks-uw-athletics-on-the-sportszone-audio/

According to Burman, the infrastructure isn't there to support the amount of people we can fit in the stadium: concessions, restrooms, entrances, electrical, plumbing...weren't designed for the modern football experience. The cost estimate just to improve those support structures is between 30-60 million, and according to Burman, it's going to be very hard to raise that kind of money for concessions, press box, wiring, plumbing, and other items that aren't sexy but are absolutely necessary. Even after spending that 30-60 million, we're still not going to have the necessary amount of concessions/restrooms/entrances to make the fan experience pleasant.

We desperately need new revenue streams for UW athletics. Would a new west side structure with a new press box, new luxury boxes, club seating/lodge boxes(more revenue streams) be feasible? I know we would have to tear down the Field House in order to build a new structure on the west side of War Memorial. If we already need 60 million to just get the west side up to code, wouldn't it be better to spend that 60 million on actually improving the fan experience while opening revenue streams for UW athletics?

What do you think Poke fans? Should we spend 30-60 million to make the West side moderately nicer? Or should we use the 60 million and whatever else it takes to tear down the Field House and build a west side luxury box/club seating/press box structure IN ADDITION to a new building to replace the Field House?

There's a reason why we've punted the west side project down the line over and over again for the last 10 years. It's the hardest one to figure out, and the solutions are going to be very costly.
 
Here's a view of the War, just to help you understand why tearing down the Field House would be necessary to build a new structure on the west side of the War.

b25ac3b5e0a038df130081b39ac934ac.jpg
 
I'd be incredibly sad to see the Field House go. Lots of history there, and my great grandfather was one of the architects.

That being said, if they really want to fix the problems and not just half-ass something to "make do", there is only one option.
 
Cuttslam said:
You know the answer to your own question. Half-ass comes to mind.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm expecting half ass. I'm going to need to win the power ball so I can contribute 100 million to be matched by the state and other CJC members on a 1 by 1 by 1 basis. ;)

If I do win the power ball then expect phase 3 of the AA, a new Field House, a new west side structure, an olympic swimming pool, and a multi level parking garage where the old tailgate area is located. :thumb:
 
but just like every other thing with the gov't, kick the can down the road, put band aids on things and then wonder why it fell down because of neglect. Nothing gets cheaper by waiting, but that's the proverbial kicking the can down the road, wish I could get away with that on bills, etc...sometimes
 
If we're talking new facilities, they should include at least a serviceable swim facility. Corbett is completely played out.

ww
 
WilyWapiti said:
If we're talking new facilities, they should include at least a serviceable swim facility. Corbett is completely played out.

ww
Click to expand...

Money is the name of the game in college athletics. You don't spend money on ventures that won't make you money unless you have a lot of it sitting around. We don't have excess money sitting around. A new swim facility is probably so far down the list at this time that its underwater.
 
Not that it matters, but if we put all the War renovation costs together, does anyone know the total?

Again, I know there is no way to get all the money at once. I was just curious how far off the new stadium price we would be instead of renovating.

Probably still a long ways, lol.
 
NebraskaCowboy said:
WilyWapiti said:
If we're talking new facilities, they should include at least a serviceable swim facility. Corbett is completely played out.

ww
Click to expand...

Money is the name of the game in college athletics. You don't spend money on ventures that won't make you money unless you have a lot of it sitting around. We don't have excess money sitting around. A new swim facility is so probably so far down the list at this time that its underwater.
Click to expand...

Corbett remodel was the #1 Athletics concern in 2012 and this was their ask for the budget session. Then some representative in the state house decided he was going to be smart and ignored that request. Guess what we got instead? Well he decided to use Abandoned Mine Land funds for the Arena Remodel. That summer the feds said WTF are you using AML money for a damned basketball arena and froze all the money we were supposed to get for AML that year. AA remodel got delayed,split into two phases and they then had to raise the money to do it. Corbett got hosed all because some politician in the state house got smart. We had completed the first early phase of planning for a new Natatorium. Would have expanded Corbett out into the parking lot south of the building and done some remodeling in the existing building.

Also, I would estimate it would take at least $15 million to demo the fieldhouse. It's an old building filled with stuff the EPA says you just can't toss and those ain't cheap to get rid of.
 
elfletcho said:
NebraskaCowboy said:
WilyWapiti said:
If we're talking new facilities, they should include at least a serviceable swim facility. Corbett is completely played out.

ww
Click to expand...

Money is the name of the game in college athletics. You don't spend money on ventures that won't make you money unless you have a lot of it sitting around. We don't have excess money sitting around. A new swim facility is so probably so far down the list at this time that its underwater.
Click to expand...

Corbett remodel was the #1 Athletics concern in 2012 and this was their ask for the budget session. Then some representative in the state house decided he was going to be smart and ignored that request. Guess what we got instead? Well he decided to use Abandoned Mine Land funds for the Arena Remodel. That summer the feds said WTF are you using AML money for a damned basketball arena and froze all the money we were supposed to get for AML that year. AA remodel got delayed,split into two phases and they then had to raise the money to do it. Corbett got hosed all because some politician in the state house got smart. We had completed the first early phase of planning for a new Natatorium. Would have expanded Corbett out into the parking lot south of the building and done some remodeling in the existing building.

Also, I would estimate it would take at least $15 million to demo the fieldhouse. It's an old building filled with stuff the EPA says you just can't toss and those ain't cheap to get rid of.
Click to expand...

Why does anyone care about a swimming pool? That's a waste of money. They get what they get. They need to deal with it until they bring in money for the university.
 
Cowboy Junky said:
You can listen to an interview with Tom Burman here. In it he discusses the west side of War Memorial and the costs to improve that side of the stadium. That project is next.

https://www.kfbcradio.com/wyoming-ad-tom-burman-talks-uw-athletics-on-the-sportszone-audio/

According to Burman, the infrastructure isn't there to support the amount of people we can fit in the stadium: concessions, restrooms, entrances, electrical, plumbing...weren't designed for the modern football experience. The cost estimate just to improve those support structures is between 30-60 million, and according to Burman, it's going to be very hard to raise that kind of money for concessions, press box, wiring, plumbing, and other items that aren't sexy but are absolutely necessary. Even after spending that 30-60 million, we're still not going to have the necessary amount of concessions/restrooms/entrances to make the fan experience pleasant.

We desperately need new revenue streams for UW athletics. Would a new west side structure with a new press box, new luxury boxes, club seating/lodge boxes(more revenue streams) be feasible? I know we would have to tear down the Field House in order to build a new structure on the west side of War Memorial. If we already need 60 million to just get the west side up to code, wouldn't it be better to spend that 60 million on actually improving the fan experience while opening revenue streams for UW athletics?

What do you think Poke fans? Should we spend 30-60 million to make the West side moderately nicer? Or should we use the 60 million and whatever else it takes to tear down the Field House and build a west side luxury box/club seating/press box structure IN ADDITION to a new building to replace the Field House?

There's a reason why we've punted the west side project down the line over and over again for the last 10 years. It's the hardest one to figure out, and the solutions are going to be very costly.
Click to expand...

It really sucks that WMS is essentially landlocked, which limits what can be done. Not to mention the age and condition of part of the facility.

It would be more money, but I almost wonder if a new facility would allow for a better finished product. Unfortunately, I can't see that happening either.
 
DVDA said:
elfletcho said:
NebraskaCowboy said:
WilyWapiti said:
If we're talking new facilities, they should include at least a serviceable swim facility. Corbett is completely played out.

ww
Click to expand...

Money is the name of the game in college athletics. You don't spend money on ventures that won't make you money unless you have a lot of it sitting around. We don't have excess money sitting around. A new swim facility is so probably so far down the list at this time that its underwater.
Click to expand...

Corbett remodel was the #1 Athletics concern in 2012 and this was their ask for the budget session. Then some representative in the state house decided he was going to be smart and ignored that request. Guess what we got instead? Well he decided to use Abandoned Mine Land funds for the Arena Remodel. That summer the feds said WTF are you using AML money for a damned basketball arena and froze all the money we were supposed to get for AML that year. AA remodel got delayed,split into two phases and they then had to raise the money to do it. Corbett got hosed all because some politician in the state house got smart. We had completed the first early phase of planning for a new Natatorium. Would have expanded Corbett out into the parking lot south of the building and done some remodeling in the existing building.

Also, I would estimate it would take at least $15 million to demo the fieldhouse. It's an old building filled with stuff the EPA says you just can't toss and those ain't cheap to get rid of.
Click to expand...

Why does anyone care about a swimming pool? That's a waste of money. They get what they get. They need to deal with it until they bring in money for the university.
Click to expand...

By that logic, might as well get rid of swimming/diving, soccer, track and field, golf, tennis, and cross country.

That pool is archaic, there are several D2 universities with nicer facilities.

The benefit to upgrading the facility would be the ability to utilize the facility for other swim meets at the club, high school, collegiate and regional level. I think it would also be very beneficial in conjunction with the HAPC to attract world-class swimmers for altitude training. Also, it would be a benefit to both the general student body as well as the city of Laramie.

In a world where money wasn't an issue, I'd say tear down the West stands and fieldhouse. Build a new stand along with a new fieldhouse and put the pool in the same building. Then tear down the pool in Corbett and use that space for parking or something on the educational side.
 
gopokes1399 said:
The field house serves a lot of purpose still. If they tear it down they would have to rebuild something similar
Click to expand...

Did you even read my post? That's already been discussed.

Still, we need to do it, or we'll forever curse the season ticket holders on the West side(the majority of season ticket holders) to crappy support facilities, extremely long lines, crowded entrances/exits, and bath rooms that smell like the Buckhorn piss sauna the day after Halloween.

They could actually complete the drive for 5000 if they made the fan experience on the west side pleasant. I got really good season tickets this year, and I'm asking myself why? When I used to sit in the back of the student section, the support facilities on that side of the stadium are way better than the West side hell hole.
 
Cowboy Junky said:
They could actually complete the drive for 5000 if they made the fan experience on the west side pleasant. I got really good season tickets this year, and I'm asking myself why? When I used to sit in the back of the student section, the support facilities on that side of the stadium are way better than the West side hell hole.
Click to expand...

This is a point that should be brought up. If a renovation would directly result in a season ticket sales increase, it needs to be dealt with.

I've not been to WMS, but it sounds like a pretty significant issue.

Would there be a way to, while tearing down the fieldhouse, build a structure on that side that would still provide at least some of the same things the fieldhouse has?
 
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