🏈 Your choice: Coleman no longer houses MBBall/Gymtide, what goes in its place?

[TerryP]

This isn't the hypothetical question you may have thought. We're looking at two, maybe three years before we start seeing a capital campaign for a new arena. There are discussions happening now that revolve around a new arena being located on campus in one of three different locations.

Setting that aside for a minute here ...

There are tons and tons of memorabilia, game items, trophies, etc. that are stored at Bama. We see the "major items" in the Bryant Museum but if you think about how many SEC Championships the football program has won, we're looking at a display containing 25 trophies throughout the years.

One of the thoughts/proposals is renovating the Coliseum and using it as another Museum location; this one dedicated to the entire athletic program. In football alone, we'd be looking at almost a century of items.

Personally, I've thought for several years the Museum was due to be moved: at least expanded. I like that idea.

If you had the choice, what would you have Coleman house?

 

[UAgrad93]

I like the idea of the museum being moved there. You already get alot of the Gameday tailgaters close to that area. Just having it placed next to the football facilities would make sense.
As for the possible locations for a new arena, where are the locations?

 

[TerryP]

Parking lot at Coleman between the Coliseum and the Law School, over on the old Bryce property, and where Tut current sits (though that looks to be out due to moving a few sorority houses, etc.) IF they choose the p-lot over at the athletic complex, they're looking at adding a pretty big parking deck. Some have suggested a combination of Museum and parking facility.

It looks like it isn't a question of "if" on the arena, it's a question of when and all indications have it within the next three years. The tricky part is balancing donations and capital campaigns between what's going on at "The Joe," and a new place for basketball (not to mention the Nat which has been on the "list" for a few years now.)

Coleman is a toss up right now. There's a group that wants it razed, others that say "let's use it."

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Coleman is a special purpose building, like a bowling alley, movie theater or Baptist church (sloping aisles give the spirit an assist from Mr. Gravity during the altar call response). The retro work on Coleman to make it something different than what it is will be dramatic, and very expensive. Everything will have to be done considering the engineering of the building, and things will have to be made to fit. It might be cheaper to raze it and design a new building for its intended use.

RTR,

Tim

 

[OldPlayer]

Build a new, modern facility next to Coleman in the current parking lot. Include an expanded museum. Tear down Coleman after the new facility opens. The new facility should allow for concert audio requirements.

I wouldn't build a new facility on the other side of campus. Keep all UA athletics as close as possible including the Sarah Patterson plaza.

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

Build a new, modern facility next to Coleman in the current parking lot. Include an expanded museum. Tear down Coleman after the new facility opens. The new facility should allow for concert audio requirements.

I wouldn't build a new facility on the other side of campus. Keep all UA athletics as close as possible including the Sarah Patterson plaza.

I'll say you're into something here, especially having it designed for optimal acoustics.

I do have some fond memories in my teen years at Coleman. They used to host a fireman's benefit concert there in the 90s, with several big gospel acts, and had a regional gospel talent contest there for smaller, local groups. I played drums in those contests for a couple gospel groups in my hometown for a few years, back in my church-boy days (from about ages 14-16).

I think those gospel concerts ran from something like the 70s up thru the 90s. Not sure, cuz I wasn't a huge gospel fan. But. I did beat the hell out of the skins in church and a gospel group. I was more of a metal fan, but no metal groups around my small town...lol. Plus, when mom started taking us to church, that was about as productive as I could be musically there.

I do remember Jerry Clower being there as an intermission act one year. 93, I think it was.

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[Bammerboy321]

Turn it into a hockey arena.

Fix the seating configuration!

 

[Tidestalker]

Not sure if I've ever been to any type of game in a squared off seating chart. Coleman is just not a good look for a basketball games

 

[TerryP]

I'll say you're into something here, especially having it designed for optimal acoustics.

@It Takes Eleven mentioned it and it's something a lot don't realize/know about the reasons and ideas that were behind Coleman when it was constructed in the '60's. It was designed to host a lot of different events.

However, two things come into play here. One, we've seen the University step away from opportunities to host events on campus that aren't related to UA athletics. Two, in the new facility, CAJ wants it "basketball-centric." The early numbers being tossed around look at a seating capacity of 12K to 14K. Smaller and more intimate environment.

Which reminds me ... am I recalling this correctly ... there's construction going on outside of the Music building which I think include a concert type arena. (Or, is that something I thought they should have included when it was approved by the BOT a little while back?)

 

[UAgrad93]

I would think the best place would be in the parking lot and then build a parking deck as well. If you simply try to renovate again, we would be sinking more money into the project than what a new arena might cost. Lipstick on a pig! I love Coleman and have a lot of memories there. Not all good though. Running at 6am in lower gym, or running the steps inside, or running the concourses. Coach Wingo was a psycho!!

 

[mhardiman]

It's a good idea; although I wonder if Coleman is too big for a museum? I wonder if Foster would be more appropriately sized as a museum (Foster probably has four times the Sq' than the current Bryant Museum has), then move girls bball gymnastics back to Coleman.

 

[TerryP]

then move girls bball gymnastics back to Coleman.

You mean volleyball instead of gymnastics, right? The practice facility for Gym Tide (Frances Smith Gymnastics Practice Facility) is part of Coleman and the venue for volleyball in Foster's is one of the better ones in the SE.

 

[Bammerboy321]

@It Takes Eleven mentioned it and it's something a lot don't realize/know about the reasons and ideas that were behind Coleman when it was constructed in the '60's. It was designed to host a lot of different events.

However, two things come into play here. One, we've seen the University step away from opportunities to host events on campus that aren't related to UA athletics. Two, in the new facility, CAJ wants it "basketball-centric." The early numbers being tossed around look at a seating capacity of 12K to 14K. Smaller and more intimate environment.

Which reminds me ... am I recalling this correctly ... there's construction going on outside of the Music building which I think include a concert type arena. (Or, is that something I thought they should have included when it was approved by the BOT a little while back?)

What music building are you talking about? There's nothing going on around Moody Hall. I have pictures of all the construction going on around campus. There's the new SupeStore being built on Paul Bryant Dr, two fraternities on University, 2 sororities on Paul Bryant Dr, the new catholic building, and a new academic/general classroom building on campus Dr I think.

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[TerryP]

What music building are you talking about?

It was something that the BOT either had as a proposal or they passed. IF, IF I'm recalling it correctly, it was somewhere around the time we were talking about the new band practice field. I don't remember ever setting foot in Moody so when I ran across the article I paid little attention.

As I recall, the Investment Committee meeting was in the spring of last year ...April, May? I can google it a little later ... running out of daylight here on a little yard work.

If you have the time, look at the archives in the uasystem.ua.edu site. There were two things, as I recall. One dealing with renovation plans on the exterior and another with an addition.

 

[Bammerboy321]

Either it wasn't approved or they haven't broke ground yet. I don't see anything.

Regardless, if a new arena were to be considered, I would suggest it just go in the same location, while Alabama play in Birmingham at the BJCC. Going by the attendance numbers the NCAA puts out every year, I'd say a 12,000 seat arena would be perfect for Alabama. Not including this year, Coleman has averaged around 11,000 in the last 10 years. This year alone, we've had 3 sell outs in 11 home games, and have averaged up to 13,000 a game.

Take into account that Coleman is not a very good basketball arena. For fans to still show up and have it near capacity is remarkable. Avery Johnson is doing wonders with the program and has a top 15 recruiting class coming in. If Bama were to get a new arena, the impact and excitement would be through the roof.

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[Bammerboy321]

But, in the scenario that we do get a new arena AND Coleman stays, I believe it should be used primarily for gymnastics, but include other sporting events as well. Deontay Wilder stoll has said he would like to fight here. Many in Tuscaloosa, and around the state, support him. To bring an event like that to T-Town would surely impact the local economy, as well as fit that "need" the Tuscaloosa city counting has talked about boosting the tourism here, outside of Alabama football.

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[TerryP]

Either it wasn't approved or they haven't broke ground yet. I don't see anything.

http://uasystem.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Web-Agenda-April-2015-BOT-Meeting.pdf

9) Consideration of Resolution authorizing execution of an Architectural Agreement for the Frank Moody Music Building Addition and Exterior Renovation at UA (Stage II)

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Stage II seems to indicate it passed, but work hasn't started yet.

 

[Bammerboy321]

http://uasystem.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Web-Agenda-April-2015-BOT-Meeting.pdf

9) Consideration of Resolution authorizing execution of an Architectural Agreement for the Frank Moody Music Building Addition and Exterior Renovation at UA (Stage II)

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Stage II seems to indicate it passed, but work hasn't started yet.

Is there maybe a rendering of it? I'd be very interested in seeing what it would look like.

Also, since I skimmed through the documents, what concerts were they thinking about hosting? The Alabama Theater downtown has maybe hosted similar events, and would take away from it. Tuscaloosa also has Druid City Music Hall- which has been successful- and the amphitheater on Jack Warner.

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[TerryP]

But, in the scenario that we do get a new arena AND Coleman stays, I believe it should be used primarily for gymnastics, but include other sporting events as well. Deontay Wilder stoll has said he would like to fight here

The administration nixed the Wilder fight proposal and I can see their reasoning. They didn't want the "boxing environment" on campus. My thought was along the financial end and it seemed like a good idea for revenue, and the exposure for UA wouldn't have hurt.

On that note, if it's used primarily for gymnastics I don't see it being cost efficient. On average, UA hosts a half of a dozen or so meets per year. If they do raze Coleman, they'll have to be building new practice facilities for Gym Tide and new office buildings for several sports programs as well (among a few other things.)

In my view, putting the gymnastics meets in the new place along with men's B-ball is perfect. IF women's attendance increases for some games use both Foster and the new arena. That said, those I've talked to really have enjoyed watching the women play in Foster.

Also, since I skimmed through the documents, what concerts were they thinking about hosting

They don't anymore. I don't know when the last time was they held a concert in Coleman.

A little history for those who may not know ...

With Coleman seating 15K, it was a perfect spot to hold concerts—years ago. IF we take four points of reference—ATL, New Orleans, Mphs., and then reaching down to Florida there wasn't a venue that offered that type of seating capacity. So, it was a logical and smart move by UA. Those "conditions" don't exist any longer.

But my gawd ... Hendrix, Zepplin, the Stones, the Grateful Dead, Elton John, The Eagles, The Who, Elvis ... this list goes on and on when you look back at who played in the Coliseum.

I've not lived in Tuscaloosa since the early 00's. I've seen mention of groups playing this venue, but can't recall who or when. Live concerts ... just not my thing now. Hell, have offers for free tickets to see Garth Brooks tonight and I'm passing ... 'course, there's that real job thing I have to get to as well.

 

[OldPlayer]

Coleman was good when it was built, but times have changed. A new facility that can be reconfigured for basketball, gymnastics and concerts for a school with 30,000+ students is needed. I'm sure that if the basketball team wins, it will fill. If the school wants to use the facility as a means of recouping the costs, it needs to be available for music concerts and outside sporting events. The size of the student body creates an immediate market and the surrounding community adds to it. If people are willing to drive to Birmingham for events, don't you think that people would be willing to drive from Birmingham to Tuscaloosa for events?