🏈 BDS expansion...again?

[LBS]

The FORBES Magazine article that listed Bama as the #5 most valuable program in College Football stated that there were currently over 15,000 names on the list of those requesting season tickets.
The University is growing its student body, currently ~25,000, up to ~30,000 in a few years.
Assuming no changes to this situation, that is 20,000 more fans who want in but can't at this time.
The South End zone expansion will add ~8,000 seats, which lower the number of those wanting in to 12,000. For perspective, 12k is more than any of the upper decks that BDS currently has. That is significant.
My question is: Does anyone see a way that further expansion of the stadium can occur?
There are Millions of Dollars that are not collected because potential TidePride Members are left on the waiting list. That’s Millions lost every year. Every expansion has paid for itself thus far, and another seemingly could too.
I know the Ohio State lowered their field and added thousands. Sight-line issues may make this an non option at BDS. I don't know. But it would be interesting to do this, bringing stands in tight toward the field. Then perhaps ring the entire field with rows of loud students, vice one single section. Intimidating, and no matter where you go, the students are right on top of you.
Any thoughts or idea on What's Next?

 

[TerryP]

Slightly off of your subject, but I'm hoping "what's next" is focused on baseball.

The first expansion was done with the second already in mind. Heck, things like the sound system and the new camera feeds/lines were left out in the first expansion b/c they knew the second was just around the corner.

NOW, I don't know of anything circulating around the Ath. Dept. that leads me to think they are looking even further ahead. Doesn't mean it hasn't happened though...

Side note: Don't forget the work going on now and in the future at Coleman and Foster...

 

[TerryP]

Ha...made me look this morning...

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Ha...made me look this morning...

Is that the form in place for the first piece of the upper deck superstructure?

 

[Swamptick]

Is that the form in place for the first piece of the upper deck superstructure?

Yes.

There are no plans for further expansion and the way the Stadium is designed now makes me thing that there really is no way to add additional seating. The only option would be a larger stadium on another site.

 

[bamaupsman]

I think that they should look at lowering the field if it would improve the sight lines from the lower rows.

 

[bamaupsman]

I think that they should look at lowering the field if it would improve the sight lines from the lower rows.

Hell, I'd buy some of the dirt!

 

[LBS]

Ha...made me look this morning...

Thinking outside the box, the west upper deck has long since been payed for. Also, it was said that the reason that the north upper deck could not be connected to the side upper decks was because the two were not matches. If this is the case, perhaps the west upper deck could be redone/reconstructed (may not require ground up redo) to match the newer east upperdeck allowing all corners to then be joined. Although there would be no net gain in seating in the West deck (removal of chair-backed seats would be needed), there could be thousands of seats added in each of the upper deck corners. This would give BDS a true, single, symetrical upper deck, raise the capacity, and bring in millions more year after year.

But most importantly it might get LBS off the waiting list and into the stands.:hyper:

 

[TerryP]

Thinking outside the box, the west upper deck has long since been payed for. Also, it was said that the reason that the north upper deck could not be connected to the side upper decks was because the two were not matches. If this is the case, perhaps the west upper deck could be redone/reconstructed (may not require ground up redo) to match the newer east upperdeck allowing all corners to then be joined. Although there would be no net gain in seating in the West deck (removal of chair-backed seats would be needed), there could be thousands of seats added in each of the upper deck corners. This would give BDS a true, single, symetrical upper deck, raise the capacity, and bring in millions more year after year.

But most importantly it might get LBS off the waiting list and into the stands.:hyper:

Even hypothetical guesses are out of my league here. I simply don't know enough about the structure to tell you what options could come next.

I've long heard there are major utilities that run underground at BDS. Underground, as in below the drainage system already installed. That in itself makes lowering the field questionable.

My second thought goes immediately to the turf and how much sunlight areas will get. IF it was even possible, would that also mean a move to a playing turf?

Personally, I like the gaps for the air flow through the stadium. My likes and dislikes don't have a bearing on where you are on the waiting list...but, I suspect you fully understand what does. :lol:

 

[LBS]

Even hypothetical guesses are out of my league here. I simply don't know enough about the structure to tell you what options could come next.
You do so much, I was not through all my "question eggs" into the TerryP basket. I was hoping that someone out there had better contacts than I do.
I've long heard there are major utilities that run underground at BDS. Underground, as in below the drainage system already installed. That in itself makes lowering the field questionable.
I did not know this. Although I don't know of any type of utility that a) would have been there since before BDS was built and b) could not be detoured around by splicing in at either end.
My second thought goes immediately to the turf and how much sunlight areas will get. IF it was even possible, would that also mean a move to a playing turf?
You know. You're right, in that OSU does use field turf and I like the natural turf as well. Although, I could and have lived with the artificial. In these cases, it a commitment not a choice.
Personally, I like the gaps for the air flow through the stadium. Tell you what Terry. Fill in the corners to get me in and I'll buy you a ice cold softdrink to off-set the heat. My likes and dislikes don't have a bearing on where you are on the waiting list...but, I suspect you fully understand what does. :lol:

...

 

[TerryP]

You do so much, I was not through all my "question eggs" into the TerryP basket. I was hoping that someone out there had better contacts than I do.

I shot a friend an email...he is in the business and might offer a solid guess. I don't know when he'll be back to work so keep an eye on this thread for another week or so.

I did not know this. Although I don't know of any type of utility that a) would have been there since before BDS was built and b) could not be detoured around by splicing in at either end.

I've heard that story for years. Years. I never really looked to see if it was true or not. But, if you recall, when they started on the addition to the S end zone the first place they started working was on Bryant Drive. The most significant work done right there in the intersection and it had to do with utilities.

So, based on that...makes me think there are some major utilities in that area. (by utilities I'm including drainage systems for the city, etc.)

You know. You're right, in that OSU does use field turf and I like the natural turf as well. Although, I could and have lived with the artificial. In these cases, it a commitment not a choice.

I'd have to stop and count the number of teams we face each year (or can face) that use field turf. Just considering the west...

Arkansas just switched to field turf this season. Miss. State has it already as does Ole Miss. I might be wrong, but I can't think of a team in the east that doesn't use natural grass outside of Vandy. AND, Vandy was supposed to have it in their stadium by this season...don't know if they have finished it or not.

Tell you what Terry. Fill in the corners to get me in and I'll buy you a ice cold softdrink to off-set the heat.

As long as it wasn't one of our kicks...I'd love to see someones hopes of an upset killed because a gust of wind through the stadium pushes their FG wide.

I see it about like golf...wind can make the game more enjoyable.
...

 

[Kozlowski]

MSU HAS natural grass and I dont ever see that changing. (ag school like Barn and all)

 

[LBS]

You do so much, I was not through all my "question eggs" into the TerryP basket. I was hoping that someone out there had better contacts than I do.

I shot a friend an email...he is in the business and might offer a solid guess. I don't know when he'll be back to work so keep an eye on this thread for another week or so.

I did not know this. Although I don't know of any type of utility that a) would have been there since before BDS was built and b) could not be detoured around by splicing in at either end.

I've heard that story for years. Years. I never really looked to see if it was true or not. But, if you recall, when they started on the addition to the S end zone the first place they started working was on Bryant Drive. The most significant work done right there in the intersection and it had to do with utilities.

So, based on that...makes me think there are some major utilities in that area. (by utilities I'm including drainage systems for the city, etc.)

You know. You're right, in that OSU does use field turf and I like the natural turf as well. Although, I could and have lived with the artificial. In these cases, it a commitment not a choice.

I'd have to stop and count the number of teams we face each year (or can face) that use field turf. Just considering the west...

Arkansas just switched to field turf this season. Miss. State has it already as does Ole Miss. I might be wrong, but I can't think of a team in the east that doesn't use natural grass outside of Vandy. AND, Vandy was supposed to have it in their stadium by this season...don't know if they have finished it or not.

Tell you what Terry. Fill in the corners to get me in and I'll buy you a ice cold softdrink to off-set the heat.

As long as it wasn't one of our kicks...I'd love to see someones hopes of an upset killed because a gust of wind through the stadium pushes their FG wide.

I see it about like golf...wind can make the game more enjoyable.
...

Will do. Thanks Terry. You're still the best.

By the way, the Good Idea Fairly visited me again. I looked at some photos and wondered if that existing structure could be retrofitted with the expansions directly onto the existing upper decks. Much like a bridge in the Dental sense. In this sense, nothing would have to be deconstructed.

 

[ExiledTidefan]

There is probably no realistic way to add a meaningful amount of seats. I'm sure some re-engineering could be done to make a few more. If the University imposed a weight limit on ticket holders, or a$$-width, we could probably put another 2,000 in there. Of course, that means I'm gonna have to give up Chik Fil A biscuits and sweet tea, and that ain't gonna happen.

On the waiting list I will stay.

 

[flying Elephant]

Pics from last week

I over flew BD last week.
Here is what it what look like taking off from TCL and flying a wide downwind.

 

[LBS]

There is probably no realistic way to add a meaningful amount of seats. I'm sure some re-engineering could be done to make a few more. If the University imposed a weight limit on ticket holders, or a$$-width, we could probably put another 2,000 in there. Of course, that means I'm gonna have to give up Chik Fil A biscuits and sweet tea, and that ain't gonna happen.

On the waiting list I will stay.

Exiled,
I suppose it comes down to a cost-benefit analysis, and how one defines meaningful. From an expansion stand point I have three points.

First, It would not require an entire upper deck to be significant. If BDS is at 100 and the largest is at 107, another upper deck 8,000 seat would be a HUGE deal. I don't see that happening, but there are enough waiting fans to make it happen we could.

Second, adding bodies is not the only benefit. The UA gains value from the looks of the stadium (a single solid upper deck would bring value if no seats were added), the buzz surrounding the fact that we are growing/improving, and lets not forget the $$$. Every additional seat will pay for itself eventually and then keep on paying and paying. Its an investment.

When on remembers just how significant to the University proper that the football team is, and using a business model frame of reference, one has to wonder if the "business" can afford to not expand to respond to the customer base's demands. Sure, Rolls Royce only produces a few cars on purpose, but Bama is already Rolls Royce to UAB's Fiat or Troy's Kia.

flying Elephant,
Wow. Thank. I bring up a topic and someone sends airial photos? This noted, I'd like not to discuss the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Photo Shoot.:lol: