Facilities and Arena discussion

[Old Man]

The thing with that will be getting students to walk from the dorms across the highway to that part of campus. How many trek over for soccer?

Men's soccer has not had a winning season since 2018, so I'm not sure that is a good analogy/example.

 

[2011WinOverVillanova]

Men's soccer has not had a winning season since 2018, so I'm not sure that is a good analogy/example.

It’s the concept of students having to walk over the highway to that part of campus. Will they make that extra effort?

 

[MasonSAE4]

At the end of the day we need something smaller, but not quite as small as I think some on here would be willing to go. Mason still has a massive enrollment and packs the place for graduation. I'd be happy with a well designed 8,000 seater.

I do think we'll lose some shows to a new place in Alexandria, but I'm looking at the concert schedule now and I don't think there's anything on it you couldn't book with an 8,000 seater. Also read somewhere that EBA's roof isn't up to snuff in terms of a lot of modern productions and thus isn't able to book certain shows. A new place would seemingly at least balance out anything we lost because of capacity loss.

 

[Patriot8]

We don't need a new arena, we need a consistent winner that people want to come watch.

The atmosphere makes the arena, winning creates the atmosphere, NIL & PC donations fuel winning.

 

[EXpatriot13]

We don't need a new arena, we need a consistent winner that people want to come watch.

The atmosphere makes the arena, winning creates the atmosphere, NIL & PC donations fuel winning.

This is absolutely the correct take and what the focus should be on in the short term. If the program can finally turn the corner it makes the new arena conversation, at some point down the road, a lot easier.

It will have to be replaced eventually (7-10 years?), and the motivating factors likely will have less to do with the state of the program and more to do with the school wanting to use the EBA area for additional academic and residential development.

 

[GMU79]

At the end of the day we need something smaller, but not quite as small as I think some on here would be willing to go. Mason still has a massive enrollment and packs the place for graduation. I'd be happy with a well designed 8,000 seater.

I do think we'll lose some shows to a new place in Alexandria, but I'm looking at the concert schedule now and I don't think there's anything on it you couldn't book with an 8,000 seater. Also read somewhere that EBA's roof isn't up to snuff in terms of a lot of modern productions and thus isn't able to book certain shows. A new place would seemingly at least balance out anything we lost because of capacity loss.

I've always thought 10K was too big. Unless we become Gonzaga East.
8K seems about right. Although we have a long way to go to even reach that goal.

 

[Pablo]

Why build a new arena when you can renovate and reduce seating capacity at the EBA for much less cost?

 

[gmulion]

Being down in Raleigh, I have seen NC State play at PNC Arena with a capacity of 19,700 and Reynolds Coliseum with a capacity of 5,500 and the smaller venue is much better.

 

[MasonSAE4]

It’s the concept of students having to walk over the highway to that part of campus. Will they make that extra effort?

There's literally a sidewalk that runs under the road. Also Mason Stadium sucks such complete a** that why would anyone want to watch a game there?

 

[Pikapppatri8]

There's literally a sidewalk that runs under the road. Also Mason Stadium sucks such complete a** that why would anyone want to watch a game there?

JMU students walked under I81 in a tunnel to go to the Convo which was a dump.

 

[HoopsAdmin]

I gotta say, I hadn't been back for a game since before the pandemic... I left feeling like the game atmosphere had improved quite a bit. It wasn't a huge crowd, but fans were engaged and there was some electricity in the air. Winning does that.

The concourse seems to be where the school can get the biggest bang for the buck. That drop panel ceiling is embarrassing!

 

[EXpatriot13]

Why build a new arena when you can renovate and reduce seating capacity at the EBA for much less cost?

Because we can't think about an EBA (major) renovation or replacement in a vacuum. There are a lot more factors than just the arena itself. It seems this current admin has a better understanding and/or desire to ensure athletics is a strategic pillar within the university's overall plan going forward vs. it being dragged along separately.

- Footprint of EBA and surrounding lots is valuable land to expand academic/residential core of campus
- Need to address nearly all major athletics infrastructure projects (EBA, baseball, soccer, field house etc.)
- Desire to centralize athletics infrastructure & support, and create efficiency in day-to-day of athletes

Also, I think we're underestimating the cost of renovating EBA. Taking out seats/re-configuring the bowl, adding in suites/clubs, hospitality spaces, roof infrastructure, etc. will add up quickly and probably tell the story that you should just full on replace.

Side note: I've seen "EBA renovation" mentioned a few times as part of the $30M budget for the practice facility. So we could see some of the smaller cosmetic upgrades as a short term solution.

 

[MasonSAE4]

JMU students walked under I81 in a tunnel to go to the Convo which was a dump.

Which was indoors. I've sat outside on Mason Stadium's metal bleachers on an October night. No bueno.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

Which was indoors. I've sat outside on Mason Stadium's metal bleachers on an October night. No bueno.

Oh I am feeling you on that one. But a stadium - is typically outside.

 

[GMU79]

Oh I am feeling you on that one. But a stadium - is typically outside.

Except for dook's stoopid Cameron Indoor Stadium

 

[MasonSAE4]

Oh I am feeling you on that one. But a stadium - is typically outside.

Yeah I was just making the point to him that you can't really say no one would walk to a new arena on West Campus just because they don't go to our shitty stadium on West Campus.

 

[GMU79]

Oh I am feeling you on that one. But a stadium - is typically outside.

Oh yeah, and also on this Cameron thing, UNC ruined both of Rat Face's exits. The glow will never fade, and he and all the dookies (players and fans) will have to live with it forever!! Bwahaha!!

 

[Verdad]

Specific example of a tangible (and should be obtainable) improvement that could be made: Men's Volleyball is playing #3 UC Irvine tonight at 6pm - wouldn't it be awesome to have a viewing area in the hospitality rooms to watch before tip-off, and maybe catch ending at half time?

 

[MasonSAE4]

It just needs a different paint color.

All the walls were white as of last night.

 

[Verdad]

Specific example of a tangible (and should be obtainable) improvement that could be made: Men's Volleyball is playing #3 UC Irvine tonight at 6pm - wouldn't it be awesome to have a viewing area in the hospitality rooms to watch before tip-off, and maybe catch ending at half time?

Mason won this game - if only it had been on in the Green room instead of the rando basketball game that was on