Stadium expansion

[maroonfive]

I just that I would throw this out there. Iowa State just announced they are going ahead with an expansion of Jack Trice Stadium and I thought about our situation. If and when we add the third deck on the west side will it blend in with what we have or will it be erector set like this picture of Amon Carter Stadium?

 

[t-docious]

My understanding was that an expansion was planned for in the design so i would assume that it would blend in fairly nicely.
Isnt the west end to always remain open though? I had thought that it would be a third deck, hence why the concourse is so wide up top.

 

[dalostpinoy]

2 things. the entire state of IOWA sucks. and search is your friend.

http://www.forums.gopherhole.com/boards/showthread.php?38163-Upper-Deck-Expansion&highlight=Stadium+expansion

http://www.forums.gopherhole.com/boards/showthread.php?32268-Stadium-Expansion-Will-it-ever-even-happen&highlight=Stadium+expansion

 

[Killjoy]

My understanding was that an expansion was planned for in the design so i would assume that it would blend in fairly nicely.
Isnt the west end to always remain open though? I had thought that it would be a third deck, hence why the concourse is so wide up top.

When they built the stadium they actually built the ramp to the third deck on the north side.

 

[GoldenRodents]

let's start with the 2014 Gator Bowl

 

[AEmerson40]

Maybe the stadium could be expanded a couple of times? If we continue to improve (contrary to a lot of people on this board's opinion, that is still a fairly large "if") for the next couple of years and gain significant fan interest (again, if), it would seem silly to me to expand from 50k to 80k. Maybe expand to 60k, and if the success and rise of interest continues, expand again in 7-8 years.

 

[Gopherguy0723]

Maybe the stadium could be expanded a couple of times? If we continue to improve (contrary to a lot of people on this board's opinion, that is still a fairly large "if") for the next couple of years and gain significant fan interest (again, if), it would seem silly to me to expand from 50k to 80k. Maybe expand to 60k, and if the success and rise of interest continues, expand again in 7-8 years.

The cost wouldn't be worth it. It's much cheaper to expand at one time as opposed to multiple expansions.

 

[nsmike]

I believe that the stadium is designed to be expanded in four 7500 seat sections. I personally think that the first expansion needs to be at least two sections.

 

[Firejumper]

A bunch of us were in Ft. Worth in October and decided to check out Anon Carter (TCU) stadium. We were all very impressed by it, actually. I hate to say it, but I'd give it a slight edge over TCF. Here are a few pics.

 

[AF_Howie_2180]

A bunch of us were in Ft. Worth in October and decided to check out Anon Carter (TCU) stadium. We were all very impressed by it, actually. I hate to say it, but I'd give it a slight edge over TCF. Here are a few pics.

<img src="http://www.forums.gopherhole.com/boards/attachment.php?attachmentid=2433"/><img src="http://www.forums.gopherhole.com/boards/attachment.php?attachmentid=2434"/><img src="http://www.forums.gopherhole.com/boards/attachment.php?attachmentid=2435"/>

I look forward to seeing it in person next September!

 

[Goldmember]

Until there is a substantial waiting list for season tickets there is nothing for us to talk about.

The stadium was designed in the Mason era. The design did not account for the disasterous descision process of 12/29/06 through 1/16/07, and the devestation that ensued.

As a result, the stadium is about 5,000 seats larger than what would be ideal today. There is no need for expansion on the horizon. It is not on the top 25 list of priorities for the program.

 

[pharmacygopher]

Until there is a substantial waiting list for season tickets there is nothing for us to talk about.

The stadium was designed in the Mason era. The design did not account for the disasterous descision process of 12/29/06 through 1/16/07, and the devestation that ensued.

As a result, the stadium is about 5,000 seats larger than what would be ideal today. There is no need for expansion on the horizon. It is not on the top 25 list of priorities for the program.

How about you read the OP's post. All he was wondering what the future design would entail...would it look seamless or a ugly expansion.

No one is talking about the date of expansion or when we should do it.....just the process.

If you don't want to talk about it....don't.

 

[Hates Monikers]

I believe that the stadium is designed to be expanded in four 7500 seat sections. I personally think that the first expansion needs to be at least two sections.

I believe it's three sections of 10,000. Where's GoAUpher? He's our resident stadium expert.

 

[hungan1]

Are we going to make more seats available to Wisky & Hogeye fans? Let's see about winning consistently first and if local demands actually rise.

 

[Mvgopher]

The thread is not about demand. It is about what it would look like. Interesting if we'd stick to the intent. I was astounded to see how Nebraska did theirs. The old shell was still inside. They built around the outside. Concourses were terrible and ugly.

 

[maroonfive]

How about you read the OP's post. All he was wondering what the future design would entail...would it look seamless or a ugly expansion.

No one is talking about the date of expansion or when we should do it.....just the process.

If you don't want to talk about it....don't.

Thanks, I work in the field of design so that is why I am curious. It is interesting that through the 2nd level and the glass you can see how a ramp would go up to the 3rd level. I just hope it does not look like Beaver Stadium.

 

[hungan1]

How about some heated areas in the concourse for fans who want to warm up on real cold days? Heated seats in the upper decks will be nice too. I know I'll probably get pummeled with these suggestions, but for us old dogs we sure can appreciate the warmth.

 

[die hard gopher]

I look forward to seeing it in person next September!

i'm excited about that game, we should win by at least 10 points with TCU only being 4-7 this year yet we will be able to say we won on the road against a very good big 12 program that has competed in BCS bowl games very recently, win-win situation, and we will be able to recruit a little bit with it being in Texas

 

[die hard gopher]

i'm excited about that game, we should win by at least 10 points with TCU only being 4-7 this year yet we will be able to say we won on the road against a very good big 12 program that has competed in BCS bowl games very recently, win-win situation, and we will be able to recruit a little bit with it being in Texas

WOW! just looked it up and this year TCU does not have a single senior on ANY of their one, two or even three deeps, they will be returning 22 starters and everybody in special teams and every single backup

http://tcu.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp

 

[maroonfive]

I wouldn't mind sacrificing some seats for another large scoreboard in the 3rd level endzone to replace the smaller one.

 

[AF_Howie_2180]

Is there any update on the possible heating coils supplied by the Vikings? What other improvements or additions do the Vikings bring for their 2 year visit?

 

[disco]

Temporary seating apparently. Not sure if the Gophers will even sell those seats.
Why did TCU expand? They don't draw well now and are a really small school.

 

[Ski U Master]

Is there any update on the possible heating coils supplied by the Vikings? What other improvements or additions do the Vikings bring for their 2 year visit?

Temp bleachers/seating in the open end, heating coils. I would bet all the concession areas will be heated and outfitted for beer as well.

 

[Ski U Mah Gopher]

How about some heated areas in the concourse for fans who want to warm up on real cold days? Heated seats in the upper decks will be nice too. I know I'll probably get pummeled with these suggestions, but for us old dogs we sure can appreciate the warmth.

The bolded one probably will be one of the improvements paid for by the local NFL team.

 

[station19]

I've long been curious about this subject as well. I have never seen a sketch or rendering of what an expansion would look like.

Most of the stadiums around the country were expanded as an after-thought. Since TCF was planned ahead I assume it would look much better than some of those 13 bedroom ramblers.

 

[dpodoll68]

How about some heated areas in the concourse for fans who want to warm up on real cold days? Heated seats in the upper decks will be nice too. I know I'll probably get pummeled with these suggestions, but for us old dogs we sure can appreciate the warmth.

I know they've brought big blower heaters into the concourses in the past - I'm not sure why they didn't do that this last weekend.

 

[GoGophers2005]

I think the only thing that was planned ahead for TCF Bank expansion was making the footings and structure large enough to hold an expansion. The way it actually works and looks was probably an afterthought.

 

[Killjoy]

When the stadium was built the visitor’s side included the structure work to facilitate additional seating. You can actually see behind glass the ramp for the third deck that was built as part of the original construction. I have seen it and know it exists. Not sure how accurate this is per wikipedia but here is the comment and link.

Expansion[edit]

"TCF Bank Stadium was designed to be capable of supporting future seating expansion to 80,000. The 30,000 seats would be added above the second deck of the stadium from the end of the press boxes across to the northwest end of the venue, wrapping around the remainder of the horseshoe.[29] The auxiliary video display currently adjacent to the easternmost section of the media areas would likely be relocated to atop the new third deck. The University of Minnesota could add all 30,000 seats in a single addition or in increments of 10,000 seats, meeting demand as it is needed (although the duplicated costs of such a plan make it unlikely). If expansion is ever undertaken, it can be completed in about 9 months so that there would be minimal interruption of a football season."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TCF_Stadium

 

[forestlaker]

Wouldn't a third deck be higher than the height of the press box?

 

[GoGophers2005]

When the stadium was built the visitor’s side included the structure work to facilitate additional seating. You can actually see behind glass the ramp for the third deck that was built as part of the original construction. I have seen it and know it exists. Not sure how accurate this is per wikipedia but here is the comment and link.

Expansion[edit]

"TCF Bank Stadium was designed to be capable of supporting future seating expansion to 80,000. The 30,000 seats would be added above the second deck of the stadium from the end of the press boxes across to the northwest end of the venue, wrapping around the remainder of the horseshoe.[29] The auxiliary video display currently adjacent to the easternmost section of the media areas would likely be relocated to atop the new third deck. The University of Minnesota could add all 30,000 seats in a single addition or in increments of 10,000 seats, meeting demand as it is needed (although the duplicated costs of such a plan make it unlikely). If expansion is ever undertaken, it can be completed in about 9 months so that there would be minimal interruption of a football season."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TCF_Stadium

The ramp you see behind the glass is for accessibility for the handicap. That is it. It has nothing to do with the stadium expansion. You have to provide it in the case of a fire or emergency.

As I said earlier I am sure they included an expansion in the footings and structure to be accommodated, however, that doesn't take into account the most important aspect of the expansion....how do you get people up to their seats? The only way to do this currently is to use the same steps off of the concourse that everyone in the upper deck uses. I'm not sure how that would work. It personally would suck having 30,000 extra people using the same access that is currently in place. There would be a constant stream of people up and down these aisles. There would have to be another set of stairs that would be separate to get people up to the extra level. Not sure where these extra set of steps would go. The concourse is already pretty darn packed.