🏈 Facility improvements for football, Moore Athletic Complex, etc.

[TerryP]

As we've suggested over the last few months Saban confirmed today that in the next few years UA will build a new weight room for the football program. It was mentioned last fall that the location he has in mind for some additions is the old Natatorium building.

The old weight room is going to be turned into a players lounge.

 

[LBS]

As we've suggested over the last few months Saban confirmed today that in the next few years UA will build a new weight room for the football program. It was mentioned last fall that the location he has in mind for some additions is the old Natatorium building.

The old weight room is going to be turned into a players lounge.

Isn't that the same building where the Swimming and Diving program are located?

 

[UAgrad93]

Isn't that the same building where the Swimming and Diving program are located?

You are correct. I imagine that the small parking lot behind the Nat will go as well.

 

[TerryP]

You are correct. I imagine that the small parking lot behind the Nat will go as well.

One thing I haven't asked and to be honest it just crossed my mind.

Have you heard where they are planning on building for the Swimming and Diving program: aka a new Natatorium.

 

[UAgrad93]

Would we possibly see The Joe replaced with a new Nat and a new stadium for baseball down towards the river?

 

[TerryP]

Would we possibly see The Joe replaced with a new Nat and a new stadium for baseball down towards the river?

The only way I can see that happening is if we held meets in the Rec Center. I never swam there when I was in school and haven't been back in that building for years so I have no clue if it is equipped to handle a meet.

For the Natatorium to be changed to a weight room facility, I'd think they would build a new one before starting renovations. So, I can't see it going in the same location as The Joe.

Coach Moore did say in the last week that renovations, or a new park, was in the five year plan. But, the impressions taken from his statements weren't it's at the top of his list. I know the BOT has discussed this and I believe I was told they had seen preliminary plans.

I've also heard there was 4MM set aside for renovations to the track and field complex.

I believe, and this is my opinion, with the hires we've seen as of late in both of those two sports we'll see action on those before baseball. For us to pull coaches in from A&M we had to have promised upgrades, and soon. We're starting to see the same type of moves in S&D with the hiring of Pursley and his subsequent assistant coaching hires.

 

[UAgrad93]

I'm all for improvements in all of our sports. I was simply guessing on a site and where they might go. I finished in 93 and never recall the pool over at the Rec. It may have come along after I left. I don't know if they could hold meets there either. It is very logical that they would make upgrades in those areas before baseball, considering the hires that they have made here recently.

 

[TerryP]

I'm all for improvements in all of our sports. I was simply guessing on a site and where they might go. I finished in 93 and never recall the pool over at the Rec. It may have come along after I left. I don't know if they could hold meets there either. It is very logical that they would make upgrades in those areas before baseball, considering the hires that they have made here recently.

Hmm, I was there when you were. Now, I'm not sure when it was actually completed. I know that around 6MM of the project came from funds out of the Athletic Dept. and the influx of cash we had with the '92 championship.

I know it was completed and in full operation when they started adding to the exterior features like the Lazy River and the slide.

As to the interior, I also know they have swimming lanes for the pool but the rest of the details are just me pulling things out of my head and I'm not sure where they are coming from. I know it's not as big—half of the lanes the Nat has is what my gut tells me—but I'm not sure if it's a 50m distance or not.

When it comes to facilities we aren't doing anything half-assed. But, it can't be that difficult to build something like this fairly easily and quickly. Just off the top of my head—pool, diving platforms, locker rooms, weight room facility, seating...what else?

There's a county water park roughly 4-5 blocks from my house and they had the construction on that done within a few months. It was the rest of the amenities that took so long: IE: concessions, landscaping, parking areas, etc. I know it's apples to oranges, but how long does it take to build a pool in someone's backyard now-a-day? Four to seven days? (Granted, I doubt there is a sub-shell that's Olympic size...but then again, in sections, maybe there is.)

 

[TerryP]

Add to the first post some...there's construction going on as we speak around the Moore building. This is from an email I just read (got it last Monday and just now read it :lance: )

It seems they are planning on something between the Moore building and the indoor practice facility. The email indicated that's where the new weight room is going and they are taking out one of the practice fields and moving the others more towards Hackberry and Bryant.

That certainly would be more logical in my eyes.

With Saban commenting on it at the Pro-Am, certainly we'll have something more concrete published soon.

 

[LBS]

At one of the Crimson Caravan stops Coach Saban spoke of the need for new weight room. The need was framed as existing now. The concern was losing a competitive edge in the facilities race. So I'm thinking the his real feelings are that it is already late. Time is an influencing factor is suspect.

A plan can be made and conceptual drawing created that can be sold to the recruits, provided the BOTs are on board.

To avoid making the S&D team homeless, a new facility would have to be built before the new Weight Room can being. I'll guessing a year for the new S&D facility. Turning an Olympic-sized concrete pond into a world-class weight room requires more than a coat of paint. There is a second year there. Them renovating the old Weight Room at the Moore Building will take as much time as it takes...or until Coach Saban gets tired of his office being a construction site. That is 2.5-3 years from the time they break ground on the new Nat.

This could be done a year faster if they find a tempory pool for the S&D team for a year. Does anyone know if there is an option in Birmingham?

Also, what is the status of the UA owning the old Bryce Hospital grounds? Is that were the new Baseball Stadium would be built? Across the street from the Softball field would be nice.

 

[bamaraider]

Saw that they're building two new Frat houses arty012:. They need to add stores and restaurants on the lake, much like in Austin Texas, I think that would look cool along the lines and it could have people tailgating in their boats. Just sayin......

 

[TerryP]

At one of the Crimson Caravan stops Coach Saban spoke of the need for new weight room. The need was framed as existing now. The concern was losing a competitive edge in the facilities race. So I'm thinking the his real feelings are that it is already late. Time is an influencing factor is suspect.

A plan can be made and conceptual drawing created that can be sold to the recruits, provided the BOTs are on board.

To avoid making the S&D team homeless, a new facility would have to be built before the new Weight Room can being. I'll guessing a year for the new S&D facility. Turning an Olympic-sized concrete pond into a world-class weight room requires more than a coat of paint. There is a second year there. Them renovating the old Weight Room at the Moore Building will take as much time as it takes...or until Coach Saban gets tired of his office being a construction site. That is 2.5-3 years from the time they break ground on the new Nat.

This could be done a year faster if they find a tempory pool for the S&D team for a year. Does anyone know if there is an option in Birmingham?

Also, what is the status of the UA owning the old Bryce Hospital grounds? Is that were the new Baseball Stadium would be built? Across the street from the Softball field would be nice.

Last fall there were some conversations about Saban wanting to turn the Nat. into a football facility. There's where the idea that the weight room would be in that location.

I talked to a friend in the athletic department this morning and he said the intention is to put it in this general area...

CLICK PIC TO ENLARGE

 

[TerryP]

Saw that they're building two new Frat houses arty012:. They need to add stores and restaurants on the lake, much like in Austin Texas, I think that would look cool along the lines and it could have people tailgating in their boats. Just sayin......

Are you talking about along the Black Warrior?

 

[bamaraider]

Are you talking about along the Black Warrior?

Yes outside the campus right where the Park is.