Facilities and Arena discussion
- Thread starter sleeperpick
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There are a couple of really good items at the concession stands that I have experienced. They have a patty melt that was delicious, and my backup when they don't have that (not all stations open for Women's games), the Italian sausage with peppers and onions. Food in the clubs is typically reasonably good as well given it is a bulk catered situation.
Only thing left, then, is the team store.
Team store is an excellent idea…wonder why we don’t do this? If the bookstore has dibs on selling gear then insist they do a popup for the games, men and women.There are a couple of really good items at the concession stands that I have experienced. They have a patty melt that was delicious, and my backup when they don't have that (not all stations open for Women's games), the Italian sausage with peppers and onions. Food in the clubs is typically reasonably good as well given it is a bulk catered situation.
Only thing left, then, is the team store.
Are you talking about the booth they have at games or do they not even have that booth anymore?
I know it used to exist.
It's gone, and its selection was mostly trash anyways.
A legit team store attached to EBA would ideally have authentic Adidas gear, and already we’ve got a problem with Adidas not wanting the university to sell authentic Adidas gear…
But I bet they’d sell a lot more merchandise if non-students didn’t have to walk all the way to the Bookstore to look at what they had and also if the gear they had was actually of high quality and looked like what the teams wear.
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A rendering of the proposed new arena for Alabama basketball. Similar design to Baylor, but larger.
- Estimated cost of $183M
- Reducing capacity from 15k in current arena to 10k in new arena
Announced attendance at Coleman Coliseum tonight for Alabama's 79-75 victory vs. #8 Auburn: 13,474 - https://auburntigers.com/documents/2024/1/24/012423_Alabama_79__Auburn_75.PDF
Since I made my annual trip to EBA - here are a few thoughts
1) Experience is much improved. The lights go off, there's green laser lights during intros and you feel like you are at a college basketball game. No light clapping when the team is introduced or the lame wind up machine like back in the day. The lights go off and folks get pumped for the game.
2) I was fortunate enough to be in the Green Room, and thought the experience was good. I didn't feel squashed and the food line / beer selection was good. Obviously more space down there for the higher donors. The decor was newly redone, and was on point. I also noticed in the hallway near the locker room there were some of the pictures that were tweeted out last week from the masonmbb handle.
3) I only was in the Gold Room for a few minutes, but its very very busy and cramped as we've said. I don't need to beat the drum on that. It is what it is, and someone needs to think of ways to improve it somehow.
I didn't partake in buying any food (which I know is very expensive). So I can't really comment on any quality there.
The one negative thing I would say is the bathrooms. There is a fresh coat of paint, but otherwise it looks like its stuck in 1985. I was in the one that was near 118 (which was closed off because of pukers for half the game), and while I don't need a red carpet welcome, its just apparent nothing has been remodeled in there. The sinks are very low for those who are tall and it just feels old.
All in all, its still a pretty good experience and as I say, we are fortunate that we have what we have compared to other arenas at our level. There have been steps to improve the last few years, and there will always be more to do. If the worst thing is the bathroom, its pretty freaking good.
I hope the current admin takes some steps to correct the few things I have identified, because otherwise the arena is holding up very nicely in my opinion.
1) Experience is much improved. The lights go off, there's green laser lights during intros and you feel like you are at a college basketball game. No light clapping when the team is introduced or the lame wind up machine like back in the day. The lights go off and folks get pumped for the game.
2) I was fortunate enough to be in the Green Room, and thought the experience was good. I didn't feel squashed and the food line / beer selection was good. Obviously more space down there for the higher donors. The decor was newly redone, and was on point. I also noticed in the hallway near the locker room there were some of the pictures that were tweeted out last week from the masonmbb handle.
3) I only was in the Gold Room for a few minutes, but its very very busy and cramped as we've said. I don't need to beat the drum on that. It is what it is, and someone needs to think of ways to improve it somehow.
I didn't partake in buying any food (which I know is very expensive). So I can't really comment on any quality there.
The one negative thing I would say is the bathrooms. There is a fresh coat of paint, but otherwise it looks like its stuck in 1985. I was in the one that was near 118 (which was closed off because of pukers for half the game), and while I don't need a red carpet welcome, its just apparent nothing has been remodeled in there. The sinks are very low for those who are tall and it just feels old.
All in all, its still a pretty good experience and as I say, we are fortunate that we have what we have compared to other arenas at our level. There have been steps to improve the last few years, and there will always be more to do. If the worst thing is the bathroom, its pretty freaking good.
I hope the current admin takes some steps to correct the few things I have identified, because otherwise the arena is holding up very nicely in my opinion.
I disagree.
Your top complaint seems to be the bathrooms. That seems kind of petty to me. As long as they are clean and functional, I don't want them wasting money on remodeling them to make them look new. That money could be spent on much higher priorities.
On the gold room, their easiest (maybe best) solution is to raise the price significantly to reduce the number of people. I already get people complaining to me regularly that they can't get free passes to them. That seems like a no win situation for Patriot Club.
Agree 100% - the state of the bathrooms has never once crossed my mind in 26 years of going to games.
If they can't expand the gold room, increase the price. They are losing people (like myself) because it is not enjoyable if you are actually trying to eat/lines to get in/etc. Biggest/easiest thing to me is they need to communicate what they are doing. Status quo is not working from the fan experience side, and I'm sure they are losing revenue by not expanding the space or increasing price (reducing crowd).
Its just my .02. Like I said, if the worst thing I could identify is the bathroom, that's pretty freaking good.
There are much more pressing matters for our programs than that. I agree with the sentiment about the gold room, if there can't be improvements then up the price.
There are much more pressing matters for our programs than that. I agree with the sentiment about the gold room, if there can't be improvements then up the price.
Agree on the bathrooms generally - but would like to see newer sinks, and maybe new stalls and doors. Otherwise its fine. And they are generally clean and free of piss on the floor and unflushed toilets. However, a couple of inebriated men did some real work tossing groceries on the floor. Kudos to the cleaning staff who had it spic and span in 20 minutes. And there was a lot of barf - a lot
Genuine question, do you think people would pay significantly more for Gold Room knowing how mediocre the experience is? I feel like they'd drive more people away, including existing donors.
The over-crowding is a big issue, but I think that speaks more to what the Gold Room is and how the school has largely neglected trying to expand and upgrade the space. A cheaply curtained off hospitality area doesn't justify jacking up prices. They should be exploring ways to expand/upgrade to bring more donors in, not less.
I don't know. One data point is that I pay a lot more for the green room and the food isn't any better, just consistent. But, hey, I am stupid and spend way too much money on being a Mason fan.
I think you just made my point. The gold room is already HUGE, especially when the outdoor area is useable given the weather. Unless they hold it on the court, I don't know what expansion people would be looking for. I get people asking me for spare passes every week, so there is some sort of demand there.
1. Perhaps two Gold Rooms? One on the North side where it currently stands and one on the South Side? Easier/faster access and smaller crowds might be an immediate benefit. Just a thought. Curtains are not hard to put up and it gives you the chance to hire a few more folks who are looking for work.
2. Put up a tent outside the current Gold Room on the patio. Double the space almost immediately. A few heaters for the really cold days and you're good to go. I usually move out there for fresh air anyway.
3. Much more expensive option? Build a permanent structure on the patio attached to the current Gold Room.
I've said this before. I pay for the Gold Room because I have the chance to talk with friends, look at stats, and toss back a cold one if the mood strikes me. I never eat the food because it's always wings, pasta, pizza, subs etc. High carb, inexpensive, and filling so the sponsor gets the best bang for the buck. I understand, it's like that at ALL stadiums and venues. I'm not expecting prime rib or 5 star service. That being said, it certainly would be nice to have more room to move around freely.
It took me 3 years of asking for a countdown clock in the Gold Room before we finally got it this year. I've also repeatedly asked about having information sent out in a more timely manner. Getting the Gold Room vendor information 4 hours before game time is unacceptable. You can't tell me they don't have the sponsors set up before the season starts.
2. Put up a tent outside the current Gold Room on the patio. Double the space almost immediately. A few heaters for the really cold days and you're good to go. I usually move out there for fresh air anyway.
3. Much more expensive option? Build a permanent structure on the patio attached to the current Gold Room.
I've said this before. I pay for the Gold Room because I have the chance to talk with friends, look at stats, and toss back a cold one if the mood strikes me. I never eat the food because it's always wings, pasta, pizza, subs etc. High carb, inexpensive, and filling so the sponsor gets the best bang for the buck. I understand, it's like that at ALL stadiums and venues. I'm not expecting prime rib or 5 star service. That being said, it certainly would be nice to have more room to move around freely.
It took me 3 years of asking for a countdown clock in the Gold Room before we finally got it this year. I've also repeatedly asked about having information sent out in a more timely manner. Getting the Gold Room vendor information 4 hours before game time is unacceptable. You can't tell me they don't have the sponsors set up before the season starts.
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They use the outdoor area? I've always thought of that being an easy and cheap space to expand into...attach one of those fixed tents and heat the space.
I just can't see people wanting to pay more for the current experience.
When the weather is nice like it was on Saturday- folks go outside. During concerts when I worked at the Pat Center, it was used as a smoking pen for those who wanted to smoke and re-enter.
I have no idea if the fire code requires them to keep that area clear in some regard or what the exact rules are.
What is sad, is that these ideas aren't rocket science and I really hope someone has explored most if not all of them.
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I think you are helping to make my point here. No, nobody WANTS to pay more. While there might be options to create more space for Gold room, I don't see them as being realistic as all it would do is add to the expense of operating it and I doubt it is an actual profit source for the Patriot Club. So, the easiest way to reduce the overcrowding is to raise the price to reduce the number of people willing to pay for it.
Point being, our fans should look at the logical conclusion of what they are asking for, because they may get exactly what they ask for (but not what they were hoping for).
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