davidnark Posted April 8, 2004 Share Posted April 8, 2004 The site selection ceremony was in December, the "accelerated fundraising" was in January, and groundbreaking was supposed to take place in February or March. We are now in April, and we haven't heard a thing for several months. What is the latest word? Are the fundraising efforts way behind schedule? Is the project moving forward? The last news I read was a bit in the paper last month suggesting that Metrotix was hoping to land the ticket contract for the arena. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobo Posted April 8, 2004 Share Posted April 8, 2004 I remember reading that the undereground Mill Creek would affect the construction and modifications were needed. Maybe that is the cause of the delay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billikan Posted April 8, 2004 Share Posted April 8, 2004 I have a lot of inside information that I cannot pass on but I can say that the project is being worked on with great vigor every day. There are some redesign issues but it will be basically the same size as to the seating. Negotiations are ongoing with a possible naming donor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjray Posted April 8, 2004 Share Posted April 8, 2004 Give us updates when you can Billikan. Good to know "great vigor" is being applied to the project. The board always seems to come up with a spy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willie Posted April 8, 2004 Share Posted April 8, 2004 I read or heard somewhere that one of the issues was whether the arena would include a seperate practice facility. Billikan is this one of the design issues your talking about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slu72 Posted April 8, 2004 Share Posted April 8, 2004 ...hmmm? Did you all know that SLU alum Linda Hope's father was none other than , yes, old Thanks for the Memories himself. Wonder if they've been approached. "The Hope Center" has a nice ring to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quality Is Job 1 Posted April 8, 2004 Share Posted April 8, 2004 I like that idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
volfan Posted April 8, 2004 Share Posted April 8, 2004 I heard from someone that new arena , as of right now has no plans to put the basketball offices in it. I can't believe that would happen, but it sure seems like Woolard doesn't have an idea what is going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slufanskip Posted April 8, 2004 Share Posted April 8, 2004 I want to door more than hope ... so I hope not Official Billikens.com sponsor of H. Waldman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billiken Rich Posted April 8, 2004 Share Posted April 8, 2004 nm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidnark Posted April 8, 2004 Author Share Posted April 8, 2004 I had heard that Biondi, not Woolard, was the one making the mistake of not including a practice gym and athletic offices in the new facility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schasz Posted April 9, 2004 Share Posted April 9, 2004 That would be a real dumb move if it is true. If the Arena is being used as one would hope if we don't have a game scheduled then where would the team practice...West Pine Gym is NOT a good option as it has been a recruiting detriment IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidnark Posted April 9, 2004 Author Share Posted April 9, 2004 Exactly. If the school is going to spend $80 million or so to build a new arena, it better include a practice gym, weight and training rooms, and athletic offices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3star_recruit Posted April 9, 2004 Share Posted April 9, 2004 C'mon guys. Give our people a little more credit than this. What's next, telling them that the building should have windows? :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iggy Posted April 9, 2004 Share Posted April 9, 2004 Windows? No. But how 'bout the possibility of adding an ice rink in the future so we can bring back Billiken Hockey! Now that would be cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobo Posted April 9, 2004 Share Posted April 9, 2004 an ice rink... why not. Apparently, there is an underground water source. The Arena - a creek runs through it. Naming rights: the Hope Arena, it has a nice sound. I know that Paul Reinert S.J. and Bob Hope were friends. I have no doubt the arena project will be a first rate and comprehensive facility. I just hope they don't scale back the 13K seating capacity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billikendave Posted April 9, 2004 Share Posted April 9, 2004 I think the NCAA requires 12,500 seats for first & second round games. I would think that would be an advantage for the SLU arena to be able to host tourney rounds. Granted they would be in direct competition with the Savvis..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billikan Posted April 9, 2004 Share Posted April 9, 2004 Everyone has to recognize that a project like this has a budget and it need to be built efficiently in order to make it feasible. The school is committed to build the facility and we as fans whould be very happy about tht decision. However, the budget is not unlimited and everyone may not get everything they want. If any of you have ever been involved in a building project with a need to be frugal yet get the job done, you know that hard decisions have to be made in the value engineering stage. Everyone shoule remain calm and be happy that we will have our own place to play in about 2 years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kshoe Posted April 9, 2004 Share Posted April 9, 2004 convertible roof that opens up so we can play roller-hockey in the spring and have outdoor concerts in the summer. If it doesn't have that feature then the administration clearly hasn't shown the committment to developing a big-time basketball program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willie Posted April 9, 2004 Share Posted April 9, 2004 There is going to be an ice ring built on campus to play hockey. The money is being independently financed through tax free bonds. the university is donating the land. I asume it's to be built somewhere near Compton. The university will not be involved in it's operation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billiken_roy Posted April 9, 2004 Share Posted April 9, 2004 i hope the school isnt involved. these rinks are gallons of red ink waiting to happen. it seems none of them make money. the one in fairview heights which was reputed to be top shelf quality and my understanding was being used all the time (teams had to practice at like 3 am to get ice time) is now sitting idle. and the rumor is wont open again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.