GMU: Where Construction is Tradition

[GiantKiller_Co]

Wonder if the step of publicly seeking state approval is the precursor to an official fundraising campaign, or if the money has already been raised through corporate donations and getting the OK from the state is essentially a formality?

I know many of us here have pledged to support construction of the practice facility if the university would take concrete action to show it's more than just a set of drawings gathering dust in somebody's office.

Perhaps this is the first step in doing just that.

It is a precursor of a fundraising campaign, but it is also how it works. The university has to ask for permission when using money or doing anything crazy -- like name your law school ASSOL (pending state approval).

This level of approval will go much deeper in the future. The state law that goes into effect on July 1st, 2016 will create a committee governing athletics in the state. Not only will it change how universities can fund their athletic programs (student fee percentage cap), but it will also serve as a way to regulate how schools operate. For example, if Mason were to move up to FCS or FBS, we would have to seek approval from the state's committee before we can begin moving in any direction.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

It is a precursor of a fundraising campaign, but it is also how it works. The university has to ask for permission when using money or doing anything crazy -- like name your law school ASSOL (pending state approval).

This level of approval will go much deeper in the future. The state law that goes into effect on July 1st, 2016 will create a committee governing athletics in the state. Not only will it change how universities can fund their athletic programs (student fee percentage cap), but it will also serve as a way to regulate how schools operate. For example, if Mason were to move up to FCS or FBS, we would have to seek approval from the state's committee before we can begin moving in any direction.

Great information - thank you. Sheds a lot of light on this.

 

[psyclone]

Wonder if the step of publicly seeking state approval is the precursor to an official fundraising campaign, or if the money has already been raised through corporate donations and getting the OK from the state is essentially a formality?

I know many of us here have pledged to support construction of the practice facility if the university would take concrete action to show it's more than just a set of drawings gathering dust in somebody's office.

Perhaps this is the first step in doing just that.

From that link (http://giantkiller.co/2016/04/07/st...or-george-mason-basketball-practice-facility/) it sounds like a precursor to a fundraising campaign:

"Athletics is currently planning out a fundraising strategy. We will have more information about fundraising efforts soon. In the meantime, get those checkbooks ready."

 

[Pikapppatri8]

I will not recognize the place. Been a few years since I walked on campus.

Green - Let's meet up for beers when you do that. I want to head back with my son's new camera. Message me and I will give you my contact information.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

Any more news on the baseball stadium?

 

[MasonSAE4]

Any more news on the baseball stadium?

Heard that phase I was supposed to go ahead this summer but the BOV land and finance committee still had the project listed as "on hold" at their February meeting. Seems odd a project they deemed ready to go in 2013 has seen no progress.

 

[Walter]

Webcam of Academic VII construction:
http://oxblue.com/open/whiting-turner/GMU

 

[sigmanorm]

So I went to the circus this weekend with the family and noted that there was a lot of rigging equipment hanging from the roof/ceiling of EBA. Why the heck can it not hold a video scoreboard?

 

[MasonFanatic]

So I went to the circus this weekend with the family and noted that there was a lot of rigging equipment hanging from the roof/ceiling of EBA. Why the heck can it not hold a video scoreboard?

I believe there are some nuances with how the building code has changed since 1985. While the roof technically *could* hold a heavier scoreboard, any new scoreboard has to conform to the newer code (which requires more support for the same weight), whereas existing approved usages (e.g. circus rigging) are grandfathered in... or something like that.

 

[JBiggs]

I just find it hard to believe that modern digital LED displays and lighting, which are significantly lighter than digital displays and lighting from the 1980s, can't be supported by the current roof. I ain't buyin' it.

 

[wijg]

I believe there are some nuances with how the building code has changed since 1985. While the roof technically *could* hold a heavier scoreboard, any new scoreboard has to conform to the newer code (which requires more support for the same weight), whereas existing approved usages (e.g. circus rigging) are grandfathered in... or something like that.

I believe the issue is that if you hang the heavier scoreboard, then it won't support the weight of the circus rigging or rigging for other events. I have also heard that some concerts can't come there any longer as the weight of their rigging now exceeds what the roof can support. The more weight from a scoreboard, the fewer events it qualifies for.

 

[mkaufman1]

Basically what you guys said is correct, but this is what Plink said a while ago (he has a friend in the AD)

"From my sources in the AD - the weight is not the problem. The problem is as follows:
The roof was put in in the 80s when current codes (ADA, Fire, etc.) were not what they are today. If a scoreboard is put in that weighs more than the current scoreboard (or our previous one - that one and this one weigh the same) the roof would have to be brought up to current codes. For that to occur, the building would need to be shutdown for several months, to essentially redo the entire roof, at a cost that a.) would be similar to that of a new arena and b.) would require a shutdown of the PC for such a long time that significant revenue would be lost to the university and the ath dept."

 

[MasonSAE4]

I believe the issue is that if you hang the heavier scoreboard, then it won't support the weight of the circus rigging or rigging for other events. I have also heard that some concerts can't come there any longer as the weight of their rigging now exceeds what the roof can support. The more weight from a scoreboard, the fewer events it qualifies for.

So is Mason losing out on significant concerts/revenue because of the roof? Always wondered why more prominent artists never seemed to come

 

[mkaufman1]

So is Mason losing out on significant concerts/revenue because of the roof? Always wondered why more prominent artists never seemed to come

With Verizon Center in the area they can only market to certain artists anyway (either washed up or up and coming ones). But they also do (or at least used to do) a lot of Indian/Pakistani/Mexican shows, as well as random gospel shows too

 

[GSII]

Seems like the bball teams are hog tied into the dictates of what Events/Management/school want, ie $$$. I think you have to seperate the two. Build a 6500 seat bball arena next to EBA and a concert venue down shirleygate at the same time..then blow up current EBA.

 

[GiantKiller_Co]

Seems like the bball teams are hog tied into the dictates of what Events/Management/school want, ie $$$. I think you have to seperate the two. Build a 6500 seat bball arena next to EBA and a concert venue down shirleygate at the same time..then blow up current EBA.

I personally think we shouldn't make our arena smaller. Gotta think way down the road. 8-9K seats with luxury boxes would be the way to go with a modern concourse area. Mason is in a prime location for success. Can't sell ourselves short. Having luxury box seats, a great concourse area and a relatively large seating capacity would allow for better shows, concerts and events to be held at PC in the off season ie more revenue for the university.

 

[MasonSAE4]

With Verizon Center in the area they can only market to certain artists anyway (either washed up or up and coming ones). But they also do (or at least used to do) a lot of Indian/Pakistani/Mexican shows, as well as random gospel shows too

I don't know, I grew up a few minutes down the road from a ~10,000 seat arena that also wasn't all that far from the Boston Garden and that arena got some pretty good shows. Nothing top of the line like Springsteen or U2 obviously, but still some acts like Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Van Halen, etc.

 

[MasonSAE4]

Seems like the bball teams are hog tied into the dictates of what Events/Management/school want, ie $$$. I think you have to seperate the two. Build a 6500 seat bball arena next to EBA and a concert venue down shirleygate at the same time..then blow up current EBA.

Graduation tickets are already hard to come by, and a winning team in the A10 would probably pull in more than 6500. If the school really wants to expand to ~45,000 theres no way to downsize the arena.

 

[mkaufman1]

I don't know, I grew up a few minutes down the road from a ~10,000 seat arena that also wasn't all that far from the Boston Garden and that arena got some pretty good shows. Nothing top of the line like Springsteen or U2 obviously, but still some acts like Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Van Halen, etc.

I hear you. It depends on lots of things. And believe it or not, TSO and Springsteen both played the PC at one point haha.

 

[Walter]

I hear you. It depends on lots of things. And believe it or not, TSO and Springsteen both played the PC at one point haha.

When did Springsteen play the PC?