Facilities and Arena discussion

[MasonByMarriage]

Just one more comment on the bathrooms at EBA... as a woman, it's probably the best arena as far as number of women's rooms. Since they added the ones at North and South, there is never a line (except at ones around the concourse) and they are usually clean.

 

[ProfessorCFK]

Genuine question, do you think people would pay significantly more for Gold Room knowing how mediocre the experience is?

I wouldn't pay significantly more, and my wife is already trying to get me to drop my Gold Room passes as it is. Food at homecoming was terrible, and caterers have run out of food twice so far this season.

An increase in price needs to come with a measurable increase in quality.

 

[GMU79]

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.

I don't really care about the height of the sinks, but I hate having to stand on my toes at the urinal.

 

[gmubrian]

I don't really care about the height of the sinks, but I hate having to stand on my toes at the urinal.

Use the sinks, I hear they are pretty low.

 

[mkaufman1]

Use the sinks, I hear they are pretty low.

Insert joke about being against tall people here in the tone of "anti-dentite" lol

 

[GMU79]

Insert joke about being against tall people here in the tone of "anti-dentite" lol

Anybody here

Use the sinks, I hear they are pretty low.

Anybody here remember the song by Randy Newman ('77) called "Short People"?

Insert joke about being against tall people here in the tone of "anti-dentite" lol

I may only be 5' 7", but I identify as as 6' 1"

 

[Pikapppatri8]

Just one more comment on the bathrooms at EBA... as a woman, it's probably the best arena as far as number of women's rooms. Since they added the ones at North and South, there is never a line (except at ones around the concourse) and they are usually clean.

Any thoughts on heated toilets? We have one in our new house and my goodness I can't live without it now

 

[MASONscott]

In the Alumni tent at Homecoming, I spoke briefly with the AD and rector. They were fairly open to suggestions, and it seemed they had already put some mental energy into the Gold Room. They also explained some hurdles, including funding from the state, which has limits because Eagle Bank is used for other entertainment (e.g., concerts). I was a few drinks in so take it with a grain of salt, but they were looking for creative ways to overcome those hurdles and were already kicking around some pretty cool plans.

My one suggestion was to throw a few TVs in the Gold Room so we can watch warm-ups before the game and at half-time.

 

[GMUgemini]

Any thoughts on heated toilets? We have one in our new house and my goodness I can't live without it now

Is it of Japanese make (I don’t think Mason should be spending money on heated toilets, but a good Japanese toilet is the best in the world).

 

[Pikapppatri8]

Is it of Japanese make (I don’t think Mason should be spending money on heated toilets, but a good Japanese toilet is the best in the world).

It is a Japanese make. Dude its like a magic experience of peace harmony and balance.

 

[EXpatriot13]

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).

I think it's a pretty big "F You" to fans to jack up the price for what is a cheaply thrown together hospitality experience, because let's be honest, over-crowding is not the only issue folks have with the Gold Room.

They should be looking at ways to both accommodate more donors/fans and improve the quality of the experience. Doing anything less than that and raising prices will do nothing but drive current and potential future donors/fans away, which is the last thing the program needs.

 

[GMU79]

Any thoughts on heated toilets? We have one in our new house and my goodness I can't live without it now

Hi risers are nice for older folks too!

 

[GMU79]

It is a Japanese make. Dude its like a magic experience of peace harmony and balance.

Add a bidet and it would cleanse your soul too.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

Add a bidet and it would cleanse your soul too.

It has one

 

[GMU79]

It has one

Niiiice!

 

[Pikapppatri8]

Niiiice!

Never thought I needed one of those. But - yes yes I did.

 

[gmubrian]

I think it's a pretty big "F You" to fans to jack up the price for what is a cheaply thrown together hospitality experience, because let's be honest, over-crowding is not the only issue folks have with the Gold Room.

They should be looking at ways to both accommodate more donors/fans and improve the quality of the experience. Doing anything less than that and raising prices will do nothing but drive current and potential future donors/fans away, which is the last thing the program needs.

A reminder for this discussion, the ultimate goal of the hospitality rooms is to raise money for the program, indirectly.

I am guessing it doesn't currently run much of a "profit", if it does at all. So, adding more expense to it doesn't seem to be a tenable solution to me, let alone the cost of building some permanent home for it that isn't "cheaply thrown together". I also doubt there are that many fans that aren't already in it that would be induced by it being a little more spacious. Even if there are some fans that fit that, how much room is there to increase donations to the club that aren't going to gold room already? Presumably they aren't interested in donating much more to go to the green room, so the "market" for increased fundraising with the gold room would seem small to me.

Your first reaction to the idea of a price increase was to be pissed off. So, they are kind of trapped at this point. It is expensive to operate and the fans want more for less. But, in my mind, a price increase is what is needed to solve the problems people are expressing. When demand outpaces supply (and you can't easily increase supply), you increase prices to balance the market. Doing so would reduce the overcrowding, require less food for those people, generate more money per donor, thus more "profit" that goes back to making the program.

 

[EXpatriot13]

A reminder for this discussion, the ultimate goal of the hospitality rooms is to raise money for the program, indirectly.

I am guessing it doesn't currently run much of a "profit", if it does at all. So, adding more expense to it doesn't seem to be a tenable solution to me, let alone the cost of building some permanent home for it that isn't "cheaply thrown together". I also doubt there are that many fans that aren't already in it that would be induced by it being a little more spacious. Even if there are some fans that fit that, how much room is there to increase donations to the club that aren't going to gold room already? Presumably they aren't interested in donating much more to go to the green room, so the "market" for increased fundraising with the gold room would seem small to me.

Your first reaction to the idea of a price increase was to be pissed off. So, they are kind of trapped at this point. It is expensive to operate and the fans want more for less. But, in my mind, a price increase is what is needed to solve the problems people are expressing. When demand outpaces supply (and you can't easily increase supply), you increase prices to balance the market. Doing so would reduce the overcrowding, require less food for those people, generate more money per donor, thus more "profit" that goes back to making the program.

The Gold Room is expensive to operate?

It must be those damn cashmere curtains…

Give me a break, man. It's a cheaply thrown together "hospitality space" that's been neglected by the school for years (oh wait, there's a countdown clock now!), but people should have to pay more for it? Don't punish people and their wallets because you (the school) don't want to put in any effort or resources to fix the actual problem (the Gold Room itself) and create a better experience. You'd be pointing the finger at the fans and saying they are the problem.

If you want people to pay more there should be measurable enhancements to the experience and space beyond more elbow room, that's an absolute joke otherwise.

 

[GSII]

If the Gold Room is the one on the main concourse then I believe there is space to extended it in both directions thus making it longer. Is there not? If not, then, for HC and bigger games, prop a tent outside one of the entrances with its own access to EBA doors and put a heater in it. Is that gonna kill the budget? Or convert the outside area to a covered heated space. F the smokers they will thanks us for keeping them alive longer.

Especally for families, good food can be a huge asset regardless if it makes big profits (It should). For exmple, If I lived there I would feed my family in the Gold Room assuming the food was great. Poor planning and running out of space and food is on the organizer. Who is that? You know vcu is gonna draw a little more. Plan for it! You know Loyola is gonna draw less. Plan for it! Going to wake forest games is somewhat easier b/c the family can be fed rather quickly and comfortablly. Gold Room at Mason is not comfortable when dragging young kids along. It should be.

If I was a student, I would be drawn to the food (and alcohol) that is provided on game day bc its something better than what I normally would be eating that night. (We need a student version of the gold room).

At Homecoming, I got a burger and fries ($16) at the concession stand and they said I had to wait b/c they are made to order. I got stoked thinking I was gonna get a nice hot, fat juicy burger. It turned out to be microwaved quality and so bad my son didn't want it. Fries were good though and the motion detecting condiment dispensers are awesome. But seriously, where's the beef!?

Good food and they will come. Why? B/c "what's for dinner?" is the most asked question at home. If there is no plan to feed the kids they can kill your attempt to attend games.

 

[Mason2006Patriot]

I like the ideas posted here, but I doubt anyone from Mason Athletics is reading this message board.

Take your ideas that you have posted here, and email people in Mason Athletics letting them know of your ideas, suggestions, and improvements etc

Here is the Mason Athletics staff directory:

Staff Directory - George Mason University Athletics

The official Roster for the George Mason University Patriots

gomason.com