Update Me on Lindsey Nelson Renovations

[Captain Awesome]

What's the deal here? I saw a number of folks on Twitter say the UT admin really needed to give these updates the go ahead. I thought I remembered that a plan had already been approved to be done in stages. What's the word on this?

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

Should be starting any day now. I think it’s a two year process.

 

[lukeneyland]

I wish we’d expand it to the biggest in the conference. The appetite for baseball is clearly here, we’d fill it up many times and it’d make tickets more accessible

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

I wish we’d expand it to the biggest in the conference. The appetite for baseball is clearly here, we’d fill it up many times and it’d make tickets more accessible

I get your point, but all stadiums are going to the “experience” not the “amount” of fans.

 

[germantown902]

All of the radio pundits I listen to are saying that Danny White and Co. are kicking the can down the street and it may end up being a 5 year window. To me, that is ridiculous considering how quickly things are built these days. The Neyland/TBA entertainment strip is taking priority at the moment.

 

[Otis07]

Well if the powers do not renovate the ballpark, and give Tony everything he wants, others will offer to take him away.

 

[TN_gal]

According to VQ, renovations will start at the end of the summer and will be done in phases.

Also, the following is from a campus newsletter back in January:

"An artist rendering shows a bird’s-eye view of the new Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Enhancements include seating, food, lighting, and sound and visual updates. Design kicked off in January for the multiphase Lindsey Nelson Baseball Stadium project, which will fully update the iconic facility. Enhancements include all areas of the fan experience with seating, food, lighting, and sound and visual updates. For 2023, fans will find third-level porches and chair backs along the right field line. New seating and amenities will be available along both the first- and third baselines starting in 2024. All renovations are planned to be complete in time for the 2025 season."

 

[MHS Rebel]

I know this ain't happening, but I'd like to see a "hill" or commons area like Little League in Williamsport has or where all those canopies were in Hattiesburg. - for CHEAP. The terrain just isn't there for it.

 

[NighthawkVol]

According to VQ, renovations will start at the end of the summer and will be done in phases.

Also, the following is from a campus newsletter back in January:

"An artist rendering shows a bird’s-eye view of the new Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Enhancements include seating, food, lighting, and sound and visual updates. Design kicked off in January for the multiphase Lindsey Nelson Baseball Stadium project, which will fully update the iconic facility. Enhancements include all areas of the fan experience with seating, food, lighting, and sound and visual updates. For 2023, fans will find third-level porches and chair backs along the right field line. New seating and amenities will be available along both the first- and third baselines starting in 2024. All renovations are planned to be complete in time for the 2025 season."

Will they address the exterior facade?

 

[TartanTurff]

I was under the impression that the renovations are sequenced with the construction of Baseball Randy's downtown stadium since Tennessee will have to vacate Lindsey Nelson for at least one season during the construction/renovations. The downtown stadium groundbreaking is scheduled for June 13, but has a summer 2025 opening date which would allow another season on campus, renovations start in earnest June 2024, new campus facility opens spring 2026 if everything stays on schedule, the plans are in place, but they still have to have a place to play one season while construction is being completed and that place isn't even built yet. Can't see the Sevierville facility being utilized to expedite the season away, but it would be harder to draw a constant crowd 22 miles form campus.

Tennessee had an opportunity to participate in a joint venture for a 25,000 seat stadium downtown on the world's fair site in the 90s, but Dickey wouldn't spend any money unless it was all orange, the then mayor didn't want to spend money period, so nothing happened, then the minor league baseball team left for Sevier County.

 

[TN_gal]

Will they address the exterior facade?

They probably will at some point. I’ll be surprised if they don’t.

 

[lukeneyland]

I get your point, but all stadiums are going to the “experience” not the “amount” of fans.

I don’t understand what the “experience” is if not to watch the ball game

 

[cwbytruckers]

I personally wouldnt mind seeing a full season played at Smokies stadium just so they could go ahead and get LNS done quicker.

 

[vol66]

It ain’t just me saying it. Doctor Jerry Punch said it better than I could today before he started the NASCAR stuff. He flat I called it embarrassing.

 

[OrangeInKy]

I wish we’d expand it to the biggest in the conference. The appetite for baseball is clearly here, we’d fill it up many times and it’d make tickets more accessible

I never grew up a baseball guy or even swung a bat in my youth. Both my young sons have loved it so I've learned it from them playing, which has coincided with Vitello coming here and getting this thing going. I watched the world series but that's about it. This team, and my boys, have given this 45 year old a love for the game I never expected I'd have.

 

[CAVPUT]

Should be starting any day now. I think it’s a two year process.

I recall hearing or reading that it likely won't get started until the fall. Seems odd that there'd be such a delay in initiating the work. One thing is for sure, this program shouldn't be in a position to have to endure playing in a place like S. Miss ever again. They screw around with delays and Tony V starts feeling as though promises aren't being kept, it will really infuriate this fan base. Even if we play in the Smokies stadium for a season, I think it's well worth it to get this facility upgrade done and done right. This baseball program deserves this and a lot more.

 

[lukeneyland]

I never grew up a baseball guy or even swung a bat in my youth. Both my young sons have loved it so I've learned it from them playing, which has coincided with Vitello coming here and getting this thing going. I watched the world series but that's about it. This team, and my boys, have given this 45 year old a love for the game I never expected I'd have.

Happy to hear that. It’s gotten a lot easier to access the games these days as well

 

[Volprofch05]

I never grew up a baseball guy or even swung a bat in my youth. Both my young sons have loved it so I've learned it from them playing, which has coincided with Vitello coming here and getting this thing going. I watched the world series but that's about it. This team, and my boys, have given this 45 year old a love for the game I never expected I'd have.

Great to hear that you found love for the game through your kids! I was an absolute baseball junkie when I was young, but as I got older I didn’t have the time and later the interest in MLB. When I began working at UT, I’d bring my kids, and discovered that my ingrained hatred of teams like LSU, Florida, Bama, etc helped to rekindle my love for the game.

 

[taylorvol]

Great to hear that you found love for the game through your kids! I was an absolute baseball junkie when I was young, but as I got older I didn’t have the time and later the interest in MLB. When I began working at UT, I’d bring my kids, and discovered that my ingrained hatred of teams like LSU, Florida, Bama, etc helped to rekindle my love for the game.

If it helps you to keep the flame of hatred lit for LSU, the Mississippi Trooper who led the police escort for the BaseVols said LSU team was awful. He said the Vols were the finest example of respectful, polite young men he had encountered.

 

[VolGee4]

I recall hearing or reading that it likely won't get started until the fall. Seems odd that there'd be such a delay in initiating the work. One thing is for sure, this program shouldn't be in a position to have to endure playing in a place like S. Miss ever again. They screw around with delays and Tony V starts feeling as though promises aren't being kept, it will really infuriate this fan base. Even if we play in the Smokies stadium for a season, I think it's well worth it to get this facility upgrade done and done right. This baseball program deserves this and a lot more.

If the renovations can be done in 2 years while still playing at LNS, then that’s the way to go. I think I recall some discussion that Vitello wants to keep all games on campus as much as possible. Dudley-Noble took 4 years in phases. My assumption of a that any delays aren’t the result of our administration.

 

[fryeguy93]

I personally wouldnt mind seeing a full season played at Smokies stadium just so they could go ahead and get LNS done quicker.

same here.

I would rather see the renovations/expansion completed in one short period than over several off seasons. Even if that means playing at the new stadium - or even at the current Smokies stadium in Kodak,.

 

[taylorvol]

same here.

I would rather see the renovations/expansion completed in one short period than over several off seasons. Even if that means playing at the new stadium - or even at the current Smokies stadium in Kodak,.

New stadium won’t be ready until 25 season. Don’t think CTV is down for Kodak—don’t blame him.

 

[fryeguy93]

I recall hearing or reading that it likely won't get started until the fall. Seems odd that there'd be such a delay in initiating the work. One thing is for sure, this program shouldn't be in a position to have to endure playing in a place like S. Miss ever again. They screw around with delays and Tony V starts feeling as though promises aren't being kept, it will really infuriate this fan base. Even if we play in the Smokies stadium for a season, I think it's well worth it to get this facility upgrade done and done right. This baseball program deserves this and a lot more.

What's ironic is Southern Miss superiors facility is really just a concrete slab with prefab steel and aluminum stands anchored above. That's basically what the seats down the LF line and -to some extent, the porches.

Tennessee could have done the same thing long ago and it would look just as cheap as USM (and Vandy really) does.

Our university wants better and it takes longer. An actual stadium with associated facilities below and beyond. Locker rooms, training areas, bathrooms. concessions, and premium seats takes time.

And I truly would prefer getting all this down in 1 calendar year rather than stretch this out over 2-4 years

 

[beachvol23]

I was under the impression that the renovations are sequenced with the construction of Baseball Randy's downtown stadium since Tennessee will have to vacate Lindsey Nelson for at least one season during the construction/renovations. The downtown stadium groundbreaking is scheduled for June 13, but has a summer 2025 opening date which would allow another season on campus, renovations start in earnest June 2024, new campus facility opens spring 2026 if everything stays on schedule, the plans are in place, but they still have to have a place to play one season while construction is being completed and that place isn't even built yet. Can't see the Sevierville facility being utilized to expedite the season away, but it would be harder to draw a constant crowd 22 miles form campus.

Tennessee had an opportunity to participate in a joint venture for a 25,000 seat stadium downtown on the world's fair site in the 90s, but Dickey wouldn't spend any money unless it was all orange, the then mayor didn't want to spend money period, so nothing happened, then the minor league baseball team left for Sevier County.

Keebler Ashe really f’ed up a lot of great potential projects that would’ve greatly improved and elevated Knoxville, but he was more interested in pandering and partisan politics rather than the greater good of the city! See Convention Center and Women’s Bball HOF. The convention center was not built the right scale or size to be attractive or easily allow for expansion and integration with downtown. And the HOF is in a terrible location. Also add 5 other mayors that still leave the embarrassing Coliseum situation unresolved…..

At least one or two or all of these things should’ve been built on WFP to create synergy and consistent usage.

 

[preacherman20]

I’m guessing they will not start till fall because they already have summer camps scheduled and that is where they get the money to pay the volunteer assistance and all the other extra personnel. Plus with the new regulations the only time we can talk to younger guys is when they are on our campus, so I do not see them, giving up the ability to use their field for summer camps while the renovations are being done. Most people do not realize the significance of being able to use the facilities for camps during the summer, but it has been multiplied 10 times with the new regulations.