Stadium Question

[Rizzo924]

That parking lot beyond RF on opposite side of Todd Helton Dr is owned by CSX (tho UT may have a ground lease since it's currently used a commuter lot), so the posts in this thread about straightening Todd Helton Dr. or removing the parking lot seem a little simplified to me. Not saying not possible but the railroad ownership does complicate things.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Todd Helton Dr. could be rerouted just a little behind right field. Wouldn't need to close it and wouldn't have to involve all of the emergency services or CSX. Take out that lot and bend the curve a little earlier which would allow right and center field to be expanded a little - maybe add 10-15 ft. Remove the lot behind left field and can fit a little more space in there. Could probably improve the symmetry a little, fwiw.

I run through there at night sometimes. Would be nice to improve some lighting back behind the field along the road for safety reasons.

Yep, that is a possible scenario. The problem is CSX. I assume from the wacko turns in THD that the railroad property (the gravel parking lot) causes the current alignment. So, if you were to try to straighten it out, even just a little, you would have to have agreement from the RR. After all, that would negatively impact their parking capacity on the gravel lot. They may not be willing to give that up so easily, or at all.

Another possible compromise scenario is to terminate THD in two places 1) just beyond the center field wall where the curve begins, and 2) near the entrance to the CSX parking lot and the fraternity lot entrance. Then, along the stretch between the two turns, leave the pavement of the travel lane that is closest to the csx lot as an emergency vehicle lane, and expand the stadium into the travel lane closest to it. That will gain more than 20 feet for right field expansion, by my scale.

 

[northknoxvol]

at this point a new stadium seems like the way to go if your going to spend a great amount of money anyways...LNS looks like most of the Frat houses.......straight out of that 70s show......

 

[oUTlaw]

at this point a new stadium seems like the way to go if your going to spend a great amount of money anyways...LNS looks like most of the Frat houses.......straight out of that 70s show......

The stadium was built in the early 90s...........

 

[youcancallmeAl]

at this point a new stadium seems like the way to go if your going to spend a great amount of money anyways...LNS looks like most of the Frat houses.......straight out of that 70s show......

But where do you put it?

 

[TheMookieMonster]

But where do you put it?

Exactly. Also, the rumored numbers for stadium renovations are nowhere close to the type of funding it would take to build an entirely new stadium on campus that meets the quality you'd expect. For context, the number we keep hearing is about $35 million for renovations. Dudley Noble cost $65 million to complete. We're just not going to get that type of investment right now, especially if the stadium talks that are holding up an official announcement are any indication of how far off the admin and TV are on expectations.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Exactly. Also, the rumored numbers for stadium renovations are nowhere close to the type of funding it would take to build an entirely new stadium on campus that meets the quality you'd expect. For context, the number we keep hearing is about $35 million for renovations. Dudley Noble cost $65 million to complete. We're just not going to get that type of investment right now, especially if the stadium talks that are holding up an official announcement are any indication of how far off the admin and TV are on expectations.

From everything I've ever read or heard on this topic, CTV does not need a brand new stadium, improvement of LNS will suit him fine, as long as it's done right. I'm guessing the negotiations taking place now are about the details of how to guarantee to Tony that the improvements WILL take place, and WILL be done to the standards needed, rather than him just taking their word for it that they'll do it after he signs for 6 years and has to yell at the AD the whole time to get them to do it.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

From everything I've ever read or heard on this topic, CTV does not need a brand new stadium, improvement of LNS will suit him fine, as long as it's done right. I'm guessing the negotiations taking place now are about the details of how to guarantee to Tony that the improvements WILL take place, and WILL be done to the standards needed, rather than him just taking their word for it that they'll do it after he signs for 6 years and has to yell at the AD the whole time to get them to do it.

I don't think we need a new stadium either. It won't be the least complicated thing happening on campus, but it is entirely possible to upgrade LNS and turn it into a beautiful, yet intimate field that is middle-of-the-pack in the SEC. It just needs a facelift and some extra seats down the LF line and we're golden. Besides, there is a brand-new AA stadium going up just 2 miles from LNS. TV knows for certain major series, he will always have the option to just use the big stage for a weekend here or there if he wants. We have a nice setup for the next few years.

 

[AthensVol2007]

Exactly. Also, the rumored numbers for stadium renovations are nowhere close to the type of funding it would take to build an entirely new stadium on campus that meets the quality you'd expect. For context, the number we keep hearing is about $35 million for renovations. Dudley Noble cost $65 million to complete. We're just not going to get that type of investment right now, especially if the stadium talks that are holding up an official announcement are any indication of how far off the admin and TV are on expectations.

Dudy Noble is also 2x the size we would need to build. I’m not advocating for a completely new stadium but I don’t think their price tag is the one to focus on. Kentucky Proud can hold 5-7k depending on temporary seating added and cost $49M.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Dudy Noble and Kentucky Proud would cost more today than when they were built, even though both were recently built or rebuilt. There's normal inflation and then there's the pandemic materials shortage that are driving prices high today. I don't know if that is included in the 35 m LNS upgrade cost or not, so it's hard to compare cost to cost. But in any case, it would be impossible to justify spending 50 million for a new stadium that has only 2,500 permanent seats (Ky Proud) when LNS has more than that without spending a dime. A new stadium or rebuilt LNS will have to have at least 7 to 8K to justify the expenditure, not to mention better fan experience. And, again, where would you build a new stadium?

 

[AthensVol2007]

Dudy Noble and Kentucky Proud would cost more today than when they were built, even though both were recently built or rebuilt. There's normal inflation and then there's the pandemic materials shortage that are driving prices high today. I don't know if that is included in the 35 m LNS upgrade cost or not, so it's hard to compare cost to cost. But in any case, it would be impossible to justify spending 50 million for a new stadium that has only 2,500 permanent seats (Ky Proud) when LNS has more than that without spending a dime. A new stadium or rebuilt LNS will have to have at least 7 to 8K to justify the expenditure, not to mention better fan experience. And, again, where would you build a new stadium?

Agreed on the cost today of materials. As much as I want to see construction start immediately I believe we’d be wise to see if this cools down and costs get more in line. KY Proud also includes the team facility amenities that may or may not be a part of our upgrades (offices, indoor facility, lounge etc). Without us having to add that stuff or only add a portion of it, our $35M number should go a long way in expansion and upgrades.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Agreed on the cost today of materials. As much as I want to see construction start immediately I believe we’d be wise to see if this cools down and costs get more in line. KY Proud also includes the team facility amenities that may or may not be a part of our upgrades (offices, indoor facility, lounge etc). Without us having to add that stuff or only add a portion of it, our $35M number should go a long way in expansion and upgrades.

All good points. I'm pretty sure Tony will demand the facility amenites for his players as part of the deal. That's a crucial recruiting issue. That should be part of the upgrades, whatever they cost.

 

[Volprofch05]

All good points. I'm pretty sure Tony will demand the facility amenites for his players as part of the deal. That's a crucial recruiting issue. That should be part of the upgrades, whatever they cost.

Yeah, I agree that the indoor facilities would definitely need to be included based on their current state.