big news in the Blade re: AA

BleedOrange · Post by **BleedOrange** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 2:28 pm

A new arena has been in discussion for quite a while now. Call me naive, but I am very surprised that, at this late point, a "feasibility study" by a new contractor is needed. I've presumed that this issue has been under intense study and that BGSU is immersed in data.

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 4:42 pm

You're right about OSU and St. John Arena, Schad. The volleyball team(s?) play there still, though the womens basketball team plays most of their games at Value City, moving to St. John if there's a conflict. I think there was something a few years ago where they had to play a certain number of games over there to make it count as a potential site to host NCAA games or something, too.

If that ends up being the case at BG, how long before Coach Van DeWalle (sp?) has a portrait of herself painted on the north wall?

Flipper · Post by **Flipper** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 12:16 am

I'd love to see us build a 7500-8000 seat convo center with an ice surface over by the football stadium. A second ice surface would draw some hockey tournaments and perhaps popular attractions like "The Jefferson's on Ice"

(what movie was that in?)

Strouse · Post by **Strouse** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 12:48 am

Flipper wrote:I'd love to see us build a 7500-8000 seat convo center with an ice surface over by the football stadium. A second ice surface would draw some hockey tournaments and perhaps popular attractions like "The Jefferson's on Ice"

(what movie was that in?)

Are you talking about a permanent ice surface? or just to have the ability to have an ice surface?

It's the Journey... · Post by **It's the Journey...** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 1:18 am

I would be totally against a second sheet of ice anywhere but where we play hockey. If the university wants to invest in another sheet of ice that would be wonderful. However I think if that were an option I would rather see them do the ice arena renovation properly and blow the roof off the building for better lighting and sound system, and then add a "practice" sheet of ice onto the arena. To me that seems the best use of space. we could not only have two hockey teams practicing on campus at the same time but also basketball on the main floor of a convocation center.

BGDrew · Post by **BGDrew** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 2:15 am

The problem with the Ice Arena and adding a "practice" sheet is that the building itself is becoming really outdated. The last rennovation was to improve recruiting and alumni relations. I love the atmosphere of the Ice Arena, but I agree that it would take quite a bit of renovation to bring it up to date.

On a side note, I'm absolutely in love with Miami's new arena. It's small, but so is there hockey following. I'd be all for a new arena, as long as it didn't have the funeral atmosphere as a Schott.

Dayons_Den · Post by **Dayons_Den** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 11:38 am

Finally in 04 wrote:I would be totally against a second sheet of ice anywhere but where we play hockey..

I think, correct me if I am wrong Flipper, but he was implying that the Convocation Center woudl be our "home ice" A multi-purpose hoops and hockey venue like... Boston Garden, except different.

The costs for a facility that would keep the ice under the hardwood as they do at say Gund Arena is up there. Also, you need an experienced and quality staff so you don't have situations where the ice creates condensation on the hard wood.

Flipper · Post by **Flipper** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 12:15 pm

You know....I really don't know what I'd do with hockey. I recall that part of the feasibility studies that have been done in Toledo re the replacement of the Sports Arena suggest that a mid sized city like Toledo would be better served with a primary arena seating about 8000 and a secondary adjacent arena seating a few thousand less. You can apparently book more conventions, hockey and hoops tournaments with two multi use facilities than you will with one larger building. Going bigger to try and lure concerts is generally regarded as a losing proposition. There aren't as many acts touring these days and the ones that do would rather not waste a date on a market that's covered by playing Detroit and/or Cleveland.

I have absolutely no idea how much it would cost to have an ice surface in a new convo center. I think it would allow us the chance to maximize the building's potential. It might make it easier to add women's hockey too.
My kid wants to play hockey...she's only three, but maybe things will be in place in time for her freshman year.

Of course, getting fans of the Ice Arena to give up the building might be as difficult as getting fans of Anderson Arena to let go...