UVM New Arena Thread

[Catcountry21]

Anything on this? Anything....we were supposed to know something by March of 2011. It's January 24, 2012

[UVM Hoop Cat]

Originally Posted by Catcountry21

Anything on this? Anything....we were supposed to know something by March of 2011. It's January 24, 2012

I hope we'll know more about the direction of this project and next steps after we select a new President:

http://www.uvm.edu/trustees/presidentsearch/

It's a shame that when the new arena project finally started to get legs it was met with the worst recession in our lifetimes as well as a transition period in President's- and Fogel was a driving force for athletics as a President. Hopefully, the next President is as supportive of athletics and as focused on it as Fogel was.

I'm hoping the new arena project gets back in the forefront again- but even since as soon as 09-10, when Mens Hockey and Mens & Women's Basketball all made the NCAA Tournament, a lot has changed athletically since. The Hockey team has struggled mightily, Mens & Women's hoops both have new coaches, and we're searching for a new President.

[Catcountry21]

Agree, hopefully the "new" President will be supportive of athletics and make this happen. We've needed a new facility for 20 years, it's time to make this happen. I'm sure they have the design picked out and it's just sitting on a desk somewhere.

[UVM Hoop Cat]

Originally Posted by Catcountry21

I'm sure they have the design picked out and it's just sitting on a desk somewhere.

Pretty certain that part has been decided, it's the financing & funding that needs to be put in place now.

[dnapolit]

I wouldn't hold my breath for a new facility anytime soon. As much as I'd love to be watching the UVM team play in a state of the art facility the reality is UVM has lots of pressure to curtail it's spending and slow down the tution hikes. In addition, there has not been one sellout this season (it's half over) for basketball and because of the hockey struggles their attendance is down as well.

Looking back at the thread it appears that UVM will only build it if they can get a private donor to foot the bill (or at least a good portion of the bill). Unless a company like Dealer.com, Green Mountain Coffee or another successful Vermont company steps to the plate with tens of millions in financing I don't see it happening in the next decade.

The one bright spot is season tickets should stay reasonable. I can't imagine what they would charge if they build a $70 million dollar arena.

[UVM7680]

Originally Posted by dnapolit

I wouldn't hold my breath for a new facility anytime soon. As much as I'd love to be watching the UVM team play in a state of the art facility ....

State of the art? I'd be grateful for State of 20 years ago, at this point.

According to Wikipedia, Patrick Gym was built in 1963.

Maybe they could just fit a new gym facility inside the beautiful new student center...

[UVM Hoop Cat]

Originally Posted by dnapolit

I wouldn't hold my breath for a new facility anytime soon. As much as I'd love to be watching the UVM team play in a state of the art facility the reality is UVM has lots of pressure to curtail it's spending and slow down the tution hikes. In addition, there has not been one sellout this season (it's half over) for basketball and because of the hockey struggles their attendance is down as well.

Looking back at the thread it appears that UVM will only build it if they can get a private donor to foot the bill (or at least a good portion of the bill). Unless a company like Dealer.com, Green Mountain Coffee or another successful Vermont company steps to the plate with tens of millions in financing I don't see it happening in the next decade.

The one bright spot is season tickets should stay reasonable. I can't imagine what they would charge if they build a $70 million dollar arena.

Agreed with all of the above.

I really do feel that if it weren't for the economy and Fogel having to step down quicker than expected, I really think the project would be farther along because for the first time we were beginning to see measurable/actual movement on it. People were actual taking action, and it was exciting to see and made me proud.

My biggest fear now is that there will not be too much of a "pause" in planning and fund raising/soliciting investors during the transition. My hope is the new President picks up on the project right where Fogel left off- because like we have seen just since 09-10 how much uncertainty and change can take place both internally at UVM and externally in in the US/rest of the world in a very short amount of time.

To sum up, hopefully this thing doesn't get shelved again for another 7-10 years.

[mainejeff]

The economy is a double edged sword.......yes, funding is tougher to come by but construction and lending costs are less right now. That was a major factor in getting the new Bangor arena pushed through and selling it to Bangor voters to the tune of 70% approval.

On a side note.......the UMaine Board of Trustees just voted to keep tuition rates the same for 2012-2013.........the first time in 25 years that they haven't raised it. Will be interesting to see what UVM and UNH do.

[Vermonster]

I don't know the attendance for UVM games (Basketball, Hockey etc..) but they could increase ticket prices by $2.00.

You figure 16 home games for basketball, and 20 for hockey. Let's say 2,000 people show on average for each.

$288,000 extra a year...

Wow... Nevermind

Yeah, what's up with Vermont Companies. Green Mountain Coffee, Burton, Ben and Jerry's, Vermont Teddy Bear etc... I think I will write them all emails until they comply!

[Bill from UVM]

I think the Vermonster needs to replace the batteries on his calculator.

36 games (16 for basketball & 20 for hockey) x 2,000 attendence (I think hockey is more like 4,000, but probably not this year) and a $2.00 price increase per game....

36 x 2,000=72,000 attendence x $2.00 price increase = $144,000 extra revenue per year not $288,000

[VT Cats Fan]

Originally Posted by Bill from UVM

I think the Vermonster needs to replace the batteries on his calculator.

36 games (16 for basketball & 20 for hockey) x 2,000 attendence (I think hockey is more like 4,000, but probably not this year) and a $2.00 price increase per game....

36 x 2,000=72,000 attendence x $2.00 price increase = $144,000 extra revenue per year not $288,000

Either way, it's a long way from the estimated $75-$85 MILLION the current proposal calls for. I recently asked a school official if anything was going on with a new complex and his answer lead me to believe that there was nothing remotely eminent. :-(

[Vermonster]

Originally Posted by Bill from UVM

I think the Vermonster needs to replace the batteries on his calculator.

36 games (16 for basketball & 20 for hockey) x 2,000 attendence (I think hockey is more like 4,000, but probably not this year) and a $2.00 price increase per game....

36 x 2,000=72,000 attendence x $2.00 price increase = $144,000 extra revenue per year not $288,000

Actually I was assuming 2,000 for each sport and now I see where I went wrong. I added them together. It was 2AM after all.

It was more of a joke than anything. Which is the reason I mentioned the companies and added a picture of Andy Dufresne. Who as you remember, kept writing the state until he received massive funds for the prison library.

[VT Cats Fan]

Originally Posted by Vermonster

Actually I was assuming 2,000 for each sport so it's correct

36 x 4,000 = 144,000 x $2.00 = $288,000

Nice try, but it was more of a joke than anything. Which is the reason I mentioned the companies and added a picture of Andy Dufresne. Who as you remember, kept writing the state until he received massive funds for the prison library.

Love that movie!

Unfortunately, the state can't afford the price tag either....we need a sugar daddy!

[Vermonster]

Well obviously my math isn't helping matters any!

I will type up emails today and send them out. I'm sure this has already been done by several others, but a few more won't hurt. Imagine playing at (Teddy Bear Arena)

[umainealum]

What if you approached Tidy Cat or Fresh Step or any other company that makes kitty litter...you could nickname the new arena "the Litter Box". I kinda like it...imagine the publicity.