💬 Alabama exploring Coleman renovation or new arena

[TerryP]

They could build a new arena in the parking lot and the team would not be displaced.

I've seen it mentioned that it could be approached in a two-phase timeline. An example that was used was Florida and one other. It was also mentioned Florida just lost a handful of home games, if that.

 

[OldPlayer]

They can continually renovate Coleman and it will still be a 50+-year old facility. At some point they just need to bite the bullet and replace it. Even the Boston Garden was replaced. They should evaluate the purpose of the facility. Do they want it to continue to be a basketball/gymnastics arena only or do they want concerts, indoor track and other events (please, no monster trucks)?

 

[TerryP]

Even the Boston Garden was replaced.

I get what you're saying but wonder if it's a fair analogy. Coleman certainly doesn't have pillars.

What I keep coming back to is a cliche, I suppose. You've heard the phrase "its got good bones?" What I don't know is the actual structure outside of how it's domed. The Quonset Hut roof sure seems can be worked with, removed for that matter. It's my suspicion that's a lot of what people don't like. I understand the bad seating areas. I've sat there. That is something easily rebuilt.

I came across the starting point at 60 million again earlier this morning. That was old news, but different people still putting emphasis on starting point reinforces the possibilities of what can be done with gutting her.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Come on...replace Coleman....we have first class structures every where you see but...there... as @OldPlayer mentioned..boston garden was replaced...as was yankee stadium..and Coleman don’t compare in history to those....
Build a State of the art place to start a new era of Bama basketball

 

[Tidestalker]

Making renovations to Coleman would be a piss poor decision... If you want your bball program to take the next step. Can't think of a better time to where the athletic department would have more financial support and the bball program would be in better shape... Why wait?

 

[OldPlayer]

Even the Boston Garden was replaced.

I get what you're saying but wonder if it's a fair analogy. Coleman certainly doesn't have pillars.

What I keep coming back to is a cliche, I suppose. You've heard the phrase "its got good bones?" What I don't know is the actual structure outside of how it's domed. The Quonset Hut roof sure seems can be worked with, removed for that matter. It's my suspicion that's a lot of what people don't like. I understand the bad seating areas. I've sat there. That is something easily rebuilt.

I came across the starting point at 60 million again earlier this morning. That was old news, but different people still putting emphasis on starting point reinforces the possibilities of what can be done with gutting her.

"It's got good bones" is what people say when they can't look to the future or don't want to spend money. Yes, it will cost a fortune to build a new facility. But, think of the revenue opportunities it has beyond men's basketball and women's gymnastics (I'm not including women's basketball because it really doesn't generate any revenue worth noting). Coleman isn't going to fall down in the next 10 years, but it's way behind in terms of capabilities and technology. Build for the future, not for today.

 

[UAgrad93]

I would like to see a new arena built and NOT see some huge price tag placed on a bandaid for Coleman. Build one in the current lot beside Coleman and get it done now. I know I mentioned before about cost of losing parking there while it's being built and I believe @TerryP may have said that it would be a minimal loss. After completion of a new arena, raze Coleman and build a new lot there or build a parking deck in it's place. Like @OldPlayer said, you can keep renovating Coleman but she is still going to be an old facility. Stop putting lipstick on a pig and get it done right!!

 

[TerryP]

Stop putting lipstick on a pig and get it done right!!

Using this as an example:

"Stop putting lipstick on a pig." While they've done nothing with the exterior, there's a lot of state of the art training facilities below the court.

We the gutting of the "The Joe" worth it in the end? I certainly believe so.

It really doesn't matter to me which way they go. I believe it'll be first class. I'm just cautious with the thought, "just raze the damn thing."

 

[TUSKtimes]

The layout in Coleman seems too vast and wide open. Can a good engineer get the fans closer to the action?

 

[Tidestalker]

Stop putting lipstick on a pig and get it done right!!

Using this as an example:

"Stop putting lipstick on a pig." While they've done nothing with the exterior, there's a lot of state of the art training facilities below the court.

We the gutting of the "The Joe" worth it in the end? I certainly believe so.

It really doesn't matter to me which way they go. I believe it'll be first class. I'm just cautious with the thought, "just raze the damn thing."

Until they make it a non square - Lipstick on a pig

 

[UAgrad93]

Stop putting lipstick on a pig and get it done right!!

Using this as an example:

"Stop putting lipstick on a pig." While they've done nothing with the exterior, there's a lot of state of the art training facilities below the court.

We the gutting of the "The Joe" worth it in the end? I certainly believe so.

It really doesn't matter to me which way they go. I believe it'll be first class. I'm just cautious with the thought, "just raze the damn thing."

I know that they have done a TON below the court! Don't get me wrong. I feel we need a different layout for seating and make it more inviting to the fans. It wouldn't hurt my feelings if they dropped capacity to 11-12K either. It's still lipstick on a pig though. JUST SOME EXPENSIVE DAMN LIPSTICK!!!!

The JOE looks and sits completely different and was definitely worth it!!! It is more fan friendly and not of the cookie cutter variety either. It has personality to it!!

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

Making renovations to Coleman would be a piss poor decision... If you want your bball program to take the next step. Can't think of a better time to where the athletic department would have more financial support and the bball program would be in better shape... Why wait?

Like painting a turd.

There's metric shit tons of space to build a new coliseum on the old Bryce property.

 

[OldPlayer]

Making renovations to Coleman would be a piss poor decision... If you want your bball program to take the next step. Can't think of a better time to where the athletic department would have more financial support and the bball program would be in better shape... Why wait?

Like painting a turd.

There's metric shit tons of space to build a new coliseum on the old Bryce property.

Nick isn't going to go across campus for his NBA. It makes sense to keep all athletic facilities close together.

 

[TerryP]

It makes sense to keep all athletic facilities close together.

I wish there would have been a way to build the softball facilities closer to the Moore building. It certainly would not be what it is today. I find it to be a little unique corner of campus.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

It makes sense to keep all athletic facilities close together.

I wish there would have been a way to build the softball facilities closer to the Moore building. It certainly would not be what it is today. I find it to be a little unique corner of campus.

I dont know anybody thinking softball would be what it is today....
Up n growing sport

 

[TerryP]

It makes sense to keep all athletic facilities close together.

I wish there would have been a way to build the softball facilities closer to the Moore building. It certainly would not be what it is today. I find it to be a little unique corner of campus.

I dont know anybody thinking softball would be what it is today....
Up n growing sport

Considering I started following them when they were still playing/practicing at Sokol and Bowers...yah, I never thought I'd see it do this well. It was such a PAC world then.

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

Making renovations to Coleman would be a piss poor decision... If you want your bball program to take the next step. Can't think of a better time to where the athletic department would have more financial support and the bball program would be in better shape... Why wait?

Like painting a turd.

There's metric shit tons of space to build a new coliseum on the old Bryce property.

Nick isn't going to go across campus for his NBA. It makes sense to keep all athletic facilities close together.

OK, so build new dorms on Bryce, raze Parham and Burke halls and build it there right next to Foster.

 

[OldPlayer]

Making renovations to Coleman would be a piss poor decision... If you want your bball program to take the next step. Can't think of a better time to where the athletic department would have more financial support and the bball program would be in better shape... Why wait?

Like painting a turd.

There's metric shit tons of space to build a new coliseum on the old Bryce property.

Nick isn't going to go across campus for his NBA. It makes sense to keep all athletic facilities close together.

OK, so build new dorms on Bryce, raze Parham and Burke halls and build it there right next to Foster.

A tight squeeze to fit it into where Parham and Burke are (for the size and dimension the school needs). IMO, the best option is the current Coleman parking lot or relocate the MDB and take their practice area. Either way, whenever Coleman is taken down, if they don't build in the parking lot, it leaves a big hole.

 

[Tidestalker]

Regarding Location:

If you build it - They will come

 

[BamaFan334]

It makes sense to keep all athletic facilities close together.

I wish there would have been a way to build the softball facilities closer to the Moore building. It certainly would not be what it is today. I find it to be a little unique corner of campus.

I dont know anybody thinking softball would be what it is today....
Up n growing sport

Considering I started following them when they were still playing/practicing at Sokol and Bowers...yah, I never thought I'd see it do this well. It was such a PAC world then.

Wow,never knew they played over there. We played church softball over there.