💬 Alabama exploring Coleman renovation or new arena

[alagator]

I recall a few conversations about what they may do before the football season kicked off. Has anyone heard anything about what plans are in the future?

 

[JoshB]

There was some talk awhile back they were going to pour something like 80 million into it (probably just talk) but nothing ever came of it.

 

[Max]

How long has it been since UA sank 10 million or so into Coleman? Are they just going to tear that down?

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Coleman needs to go.....bama has long neededa state of the art bball home..
....its time...

 

[TerryP]

There was some talk awhile back they were going to pour something like 80 million into it (probably just talk) but nothing ever came of it.

It wasn't just talk.

I've a friend who is one of the guys that Coach Moore hit up when he was having his capital drive campaign as well as a month or so before Saban was hired. He took a tour with Byrne in the last couple of weeks. From what he shared with me it's not limited to Coleman. There are plans for improvements in Bryant Denny as well. A few of the things he mentioned about the stadium were the video boards and an upgrade there, there's consideration for more luxury suites, along with a few other items.

It's my wish they'd put access points to the 'net on every seat just like they did for the Super Bowl.

And, FWIW, the money figures they were talking about with these renovations/improvements far, far exceeded an 80 million dollar price tag. We're talking nine figures. It was his opinion it would eclipse the 500MM mark when it's all over. To say the least, I'm not one of those guys they contacted.

Coleman needs to go.....bama has long neededa state of the art bball home..
....its time...

That's not happening. It was considered, but moved away from. From what I was told the plans are to gut Coleman and go from there. That would likely mean the team playing off campus for one season.

How long has it been since UA sank 10 million or so into Coleman? Are they just going to tear that down?

No. The majority of the renovations in Coleman ten years ago were in areas you can't see. If you've never had the opportunity, the next time you're in Tuscaloosa see if you can arrange a tour of Coleman. The lower levels is where the majority of that money was spent.

 

[OldPlayer]

If they're going to spend $80 or $500 million on facilities, they would be better off building a new coliseum instead of trying to retrofit Coleman.

I know that Byrne has been visiting various pro stadiums to see what they're doing about "fan engagement." IMO, the majority of pro efforts isn't about fan engagement. It's about revenue maximization. There's a big focus on various club level amenities and alcohol sales. The only one that did something for the fans is Meredes Benz in Atlanta with its food and drink pricing.

 

[#80]

CC was opened in 1969 time to setup and build a new arena.

 

[TerryP]

If they're going to spend $80 or $500 million on facilities, they would be better off building a new coliseum instead of trying to retrofit Coleman.

It's my understanding they looked at that option seriously and found they wouldn't be better off. I do wonder if a lot say "it needs to be razed" because they don't like the quonset look.

CC was opened in 1969 time to setup and build a new arena.

Sewell-Thomas was built in the late 40's and they took the same approach there as they are contemplating now with Coleman. It was a gut/retro fit that came out beautifully.

 

[UAgrad93]

Gutting Coleman and displacing the team for a season is the most logical thing if you look at the alternative. Raze Coleman, build a new arena in it's place, or build one beside existing Coleman in the parking lot, then raze Coleman. A LOT of parking would be lost during football season and baseball. A LOT of money lost as well.

 

[PhillyGirl]

I think I read recently that the aquatic facilities are getting a $100 million upgrade.

 

[TerryP]

I think I read recently that the aquatic facilities are getting a $100 million upgrade.

Projected at 21MM in the latest article.

News - Alabama Swimming and Diving Home to Undergo $21 Million Renewal and Renovation

 

[JoshB]

My question is where would Bama play? Birmingham?

 

[TerryP]

My question is where would Bama play? Birmingham?

That seems the most logical solution.

One thing for certain is it'll displace a lot; Women's B-ball and Gym Tide for their games. All three, plus volleyball for practices and all the other amenities below ground in Coleman.

 

[OldPlayer]

Gutting Coleman and displacing the team for a season is the most logical thing if you look at the alternative. Raze Coleman, build a new arena in it's place, or build one beside existing Coleman in the parking lot, then raze Coleman. A LOT of parking would be lost during football season and baseball. A LOT of money lost as well.

They could build a new arena in the parking lot and the team would not be displaced. Minimal parking for football would be lost since parking at Coleman is reserved for RVs (primarily). You could also build at the intramural/soccer field (soccer could be moved temporarily to the practice fields or track stadium OR remove the parking lot and put turf in). There are a lot of options.

 

[PhillyGirl]

Projected at 21MM in the latest article.

News - Alabama Swimming and Diving Home to Undergo $21 Million Renewal and Renovation

Wow, guess I overestimated! Still great to see swimming get some love. I follow Bama swimming and this makes me happy.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

CC was opened in 1969 time to setup and build a new arena.

Well Duke has us beat with Cameron Arena was built in 1940.....it's the product and not the building

 

[BamaFan334]

That seems the most logical solution.

One thing for certain is it'll displace a lot; Women's B-ball and Gym Tide for their games. All three, plus volleyball for practices and all the other amenities below ground in Coleman.

Don't forget graduation that is held at Coleman. They most likely could move that to Bryant-Denny like most other big universities do with massive classes, but nonetheless, another event to move that brings a ton of people and money into the city for a week/weekend.

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

Alabama exploring new basketball arena or renovating Coleman Coliseum

Big changes could be coming to Coleman Coliseum on the Alabama campus.

In a Monday interview with WJOX-FM, Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne said they've hired an architectural firm to look at the future of the multipurpose arena on campus.

"They have been studying Coleman and weighing building a new arena versus renovating Coleman," Byrne said on the 3 Man Front program. "It's not done by any stretch but right now, it is certainly looking like a renovation. We can get a lot done for the dollar figured compared to building a new arena but we're still not all the way to the finish line one that."

The 50-year old building his home also to both the Alabama basketball programs and gymnastics team. Seating 15,383, the complex is outdated from a revenue-generating standpoint. The last major renovation came in 2005-06.

The idea with the potential future work sounds much more extensive than the last one.

"What we do know is the bones of Coleman Coliseum, the footprint of Coleman Coliseum is very good," Byrne told WJOX. "That's something you can build around. We have some early concepts --not what we're ready to come out publicly with at this point -- but we are looking at those and trying to get a little bit down the path financially."

That's where things get somewhat complicated. Byrne noted the difficulty athletic departments now face with the new tax structure that doesn't allow boosters to take deductions on money donated to the school.

"I've talked to more tax attorneys in the last few months since this came on the table for us than I ever thought I would in my life," Byrne told WJOX.

The basketball facility question has been on the table for some time now. Basketball coach Avery Johnson noted it as a priority when he arrived three years ago this week. SEC peers Auburn and Ole Miss have opened new arenas in recent years leaving Coleman Coliseum as one of the oldest facilities in the SEC.

Alabama exploring new basketball arena or renovating Coleman Coliseum

 

[alabama mike]

If we are going to play big boy basketball, we need to build a new arena.

 

[alagator]

If we are going to play big boy basketball, we need to build a new arena.

Well Duke has us beat with Cameron Arena was built in 1940.....it's the product and not the building

How many times have they renovated Cameron?

There's millions of dollars saved if they gut the current location and renovate. We saw people saying "The Joe" needed to be razed and the administration took the other direction by gutting it and rebuilding. It's come out tremendously! There's no reason why we should expect anything less with a gutted Coleman.