Reusse says The Barn will be the only true dump left for major sports entities in MN

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BleedGopher

BleedGopher

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Reusse has a column on Minnesota now being a facilities rich state. In the column he writes:

There will also be a practice facility for men’s and women’s basketball. Those teams will keep playing in Williams Arena. It will be the only true dump left for major sports entities in the Twin Cities, but it’s our dump, and most ticket buyers seem to love it.

http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-is-the-new-sports-facilities-capital/335449611/

Go Gophers!!
 

Pretty amazing to those of us old enough to remember the lengthy and controversial effort to build the Metrodome, starting in the 70's. And that was for a whopping 55 Mill.................to be home for THREE teams.
 

Time for the barn to go. Terrible viewing angles and obstructions.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
 

I'm in no hurry to see it go, but when it does I'll understand why they're doing it.

As long as I'm not the one sitting behind 'em, really don't care about the obstructions. When at its peak (vs. Wisconsin, Michigan State, Cincinnati OT game in the late 90s, etc.), there's still no place (arena) else I'd rather be on a winter night. The frequency with which Williams is completely bonkers isn't what it used to be, but the place is still special, long bathroom lines and pi**ing troughs be dam*ed.

With the B1G home schedule the Gophers have this season (Indiana, Maryland, Michigan State, Wisconsin), there will be opportunities for this young squad to add to the building's lore.
 

Would like to see them bring it down and build a new arena that looks just like it except make it more modern. No obstructed views, more space out in the lobby like Sunday said.
 



Cant since they give priority to the white hairs that sit on their hands all game.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
 

If they do build a new basketball venue, they should build it at a different site like Maryland did. Cole Field House still stands! And they actually use it!

Things that they need to keep about Williams
1. The raised floor. I love this feature.
2. Industrial looking stairways that make it feel old.
3. Aerodome look to the outside if possible.
4. Second floor seats that are very close to the floor. Noise should be easily created and maintained. Gym needs to be very hard for opposing teams to play in.

New things needed:
1. Wider concourses
2. No obstructions
3. one side of first floor seats for students only. Could be one side, or both ends of the court. (for free throws)
4. Luxury seats. (so Prince can watch and take team to Paisley Park for big celebrations!)
 

Isn't there some new-building scent that they can spray around the arena? Then they can tell recruits that it's a new building and we built it this way on purpose to be "throwback" and "badass" and all those things. The kids seem to like the new building smell.
 



Bad Gopher said:
Isn't there some new-building scent that they can spray around the arena? Then they can tell recruits that it's a new building and we built it this way on purpose to be "throwback" and "badass" and all those things. The kids seem to like the new building smell.
Click to expand...

BadGopher, you're the type of guy that creates solutions, not problems. I'm on board with this solution.
 

I think it'll take at least 5-10 years before it would be seriously considered. Given that it was not part of the current $150+ million project. Start pushing people to build a new one in 5-10 years and you actually might have a shot at it. But as of right now there is little to no stomach for more money pored into something like this and few if any donors with full pockets anymore.
 

Bad Gopher said:
Isn't there some new-building scent that they can spray around the arena? Then they can tell recruits that it's a new building and we built it this way on purpose to be "throwback" and "badass" and all those things. The kids seem to like the new building smell.
Click to expand...

Yea, the Barn's new building smell is a combination of last weeks popcorn which they still sell, with the urinal troughs that rarely get cleaned. You can buy that scent in a cologne as well. The chicks dig it.
 

Otis said:
If they do build a new basketball venue, they should build it at a different site like Maryland did. Cole Field House still stands! And they actually use it!

Things that they need to keep about Williams
1. The raised floor. I love this feature.
2. Industrial looking stairways that make it feel old.
3. Aerodome look to the outside if possible.
4. Second floor seats that are very close to the floor. Noise should be easily created and maintained. Gym needs to be very hard for opposing teams to play in.

New things needed:
1. Wider concourses
2. No obstructions
3. one side of first floor seats for students only. Could be one side, or both ends of the court. (for free throws)
4. Luxury seats. (so Prince can watch and take team to Paisley Park for big celebrations!)
Click to expand...

All of those new things, plus any other modern amenities that Williams is lacking, can easily be done with a reasonably priced remodel. This town needs at least one historical arena that goes back generations.

It is funny to me when the obstructed view seats get ripped on. It is a product of post-WWI construction practices. It's not like any ticket buyers are surprised when they buy them- they are told up front that they're obstructed view. If you don't want obstructed view you can just buy better tickets. If you buy them, it's either because you're really cheap, or there is a packed game that you really want to attend and no other seats are available(which pretty much never happens). Would people rather that those seats get roped off and go unused every game? Every arena has bad seats, and they're always priced accordingly.
 



citywok said:
All of those new things, plus any other modern amenities that Williams is lacking, can easily be done with a reasonably priced remodel. This town needs at least one historical arena that goes back generations.

It is funny to me when the obstructed view seats get ripped on. It is a product of post-WWI construction practices. It's not like any ticket buyers are surprised when they buy them- they are told up front that they're obstructed view. If you don't want obstructed view you can just buy better tickets. If you buy them, it's either because you're really cheap, or there is a packed game that you really want to attend and no other seats are available(which pretty much never happens). Would people rather that those seats get roped off and go unused every game? Every arena has bad seats, and they're always priced accordingly.
Click to expand...

The handicap seats that aren't on the floor level are obstructed. Most in those seats don't choose to sit there because they are cheap or because its a packed game.

Go Gophers!!
 

BleedGopher said:
The handicap seats that aren't on the floor level are obstructed. Most in those seats don't choose to sit there because they are cheap or because its a packed game.

Go Gophers!!
Click to expand...

I was referring to the ones that are generally towards the back of the lower deck, often on the baselines. But, great point, BleedGopher. You're right, and that needs to change.
 


If I were in charge I'd at least take a look at a full scale modernization of the Barn. See what could be done and at what cost. If they could significantly modernize and improve it without destroying it's charm, I'd go that route. If it just isn't feasible (likely the case), then I would build a new arena with a bunch of features that give a nod to the barn, kind of like they did with TCF and Memorial Stadium.

Wonder how much a new arena would run. $150 million? $250 million? All I know is the Bucks arena in Milwaukee is going to cost around $500 million but that is a state-of-the art NBA-caliber arena.
 


SelectionSunday said:
I'm in no hurry to see it go, but when it does I'll understand why they're doing it. As long as I'm not the one sitting behind 'em, really don't care about the obstructions. When at its peak (vs. Wisconsin, Michigan State, Cincinnati OT game in the late 90s, etc.), there's still no place (arena) else I'd rather be on a winter night. The frequency with which Williams is completely bonkers isn't what it used to be, but the place is still special, long bathroom lines and pi**ing troughs be dam*ed. With the B1G home schedule the Gophers have this season (Indiana, Maryland, Michigan State, Wisconsin), there will be opportunities for this young squad to add to the building's lore.
Click to expand...

100% concur with everything SS wrote
 


MadtownGopher said:
If I were in charge I'd at least take a look at a full scale modernization of the Barn. See what could be done and at what cost. If they could significantly modernize and improve it without destroying it's charm, I'd go that route. If it just isn't feasible (likely the case), then I would build a new arena with a bunch of features that give a nod to the barn, kind of like they did with TCF and Memorial Stadium.

Wonder how much a new arena would run. $150 million? $250 million? All I know is the Bucks arena in Milwaukee is going to cost around $500 million but that is a state-of-the art NBA-caliber arena.
Click to expand...

That's exactly the way it should be addressed. Problem is many folks will tell you a tear down should not even be discussed.
 

station19 said:
That's exactly the way it should be addressed. Problem is many folks will tell you a tear down should not even be discussed.
Click to expand...

I agree. Only Big 10 arena I have been in other that Williams is Carver-Hawkeye. The seating there in my way of looking at is not so good. Just a big bowl.

Go Gophers
 

We can talk about a new arena when Duke and Kansas start losing.
 

If we ever build a new arena I have one wish. It should have a level directly over the playing floor with a glass floor. The same material as the one above a portion of the grand canyon. Would be better for football, but easier to make for basketball. Lots of potential, totally unique.
 

SKOOKM said:
If we ever build a new arena I have one wish. It should have a level directly over the playing floor with a glass floor. The same material as the one above a portion of the grand canyon. Would be better for football, but easier to make for basketball. Lots of potential, totally unique.
Click to expand...

Would you then have a floor-cam or a sky-cam?:confused:
 



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