How long and what will it take for the next stadium expansion?

[ruready4somefootball]

I know I've heard in the past that supports are already in place for the next phase of expansion over the endzone seats, and plans are already drawn for that. Is there any plans or baseline numbers that would kick start the next project other than years of sellouts?

 

[PhilaPhans]

Sellouts with a massive waiting list. Multiple New Years bowl games. A generous $100M donation.

 

[RUSONIC]

Why create more inventory if you have no demand for it. Yes years of sellouts would spur expansion. The school makes more money with dynamic pricing because of the demand of the B1G games.

 

[eceres]

For starters drop 45m at the below fund...

http://www.rutgersbigtenbuild.com

 

[RUskoolie]

I think we are fine where we are right now. Some schools are even removing seats. Combined with the ease of watching the game at home, a large expansion wouldn't make sense.

Now - I think we can see club seats built on the West Side and the North side bleachers extended a few more rows in the next 5-10 years but that's it for now IMO. We have great demand for B1G games, let's keep it that way.

 

[KeithK7624]

I think we are fine where we are right now. Some schools are even removing seats. Combined with the ease of watching the game at home, a large expansion wouldn't make sense.

Now - I think we can see club seats built on the West Side and the North side bleachers extended a few more rows in the next 5-10 years but that's it for now IMO. We have great demand for B1G games, let's keep it that way.

Agree with skoolie... Boxes on the west side and the north end zone regraded would add a few thousand seats...

If we were to expand the upper deck I would assume we would need a 10k wait list for a good 5+ years

 

[DJ Spanky]

I love how people just slash and burn with topics like this.

I know I've heard in the past that supports are already in place for the next phase of expansion over the endzone seats, and plans are already drawn for that. Is there any plans or baseline numbers that would kick start the next project other than years of sellouts?

Outside of a significant multi-year waiting list for season tickets, it would have to be a large donation for that specific purpose, probably upwards of forty million. For the 2008 expansion, the waiting list was said to be at 12K. I am sure other considerations would be worked into that decision, with parking being a main one.

However, I think way before that type of expansion happens, they will add in luxury boxes and redo the press box. Luxury boxes would be a cash cow, and if we hadn't had the recession in 2008-2010, we might have seen those already built.

Agree with skoolie... Boxes on the west side and the north end zone regraded would add a few thousand seats...

Regrading the north endzone would be a major project, particularly since Sutphen Road would need to be closed or re-routed for the construction to occur. I doubt we see that unless there's other expansion involving the north endzone going on.

 

[MadRU]

Lets take care of the other sports first. Basketball and other sports need the money now to move forward on their projects

 

[160louis]

I do think you have to look at the recruiting advantage of having a bigger stadium. Outside of Baylor and Oregon I can't think of a school whose recruiting is consistently in the top 20 with a stadium that seats less than 65k. Personally, I think 70K is perfect and an ideal amount for our stadium to hold. Not saying it should happen soon but I do think there is a big advantage to having it even if the season ticket wait list isn't necessarily there.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Good to see the new topics are pouring in the summer.

 

[Jim_from_RU]

Geez, we still haven't begun planned projects. Let's hold off on the stadium for now.

 

[Bamm Bamm Rubble]

I am for reconfiguration more than expansion. It's a new age people! Stadiums are competing with high-tech flat screen TVs. People are going to rather stay home then to deal with our poor sitelines in the second row at High Point. The stadium needs to be reconfigured and second level needs to be moved closer to the field.

 

[Bamm Bamm Rubble]

The stadium needs wi-fi and a hangover roof covering all seats. We've got to brace for the future. These Millennials arent going to want to come out to the game if they have to sit in the rain and can't use their cell phones. Trust me this is the way. These kids aren't traditionalist and they're not gonna tough it out like fake tough guys.

 

[The RUT]

No need to expand it even if we start to consistently win big games.

Keep it at its current size and make it a tough ticket to get. Donations will go up because people will want to lock down season tickets, and the atmosphere will improve because people will want to make the most of their 1/2 games they get each year.

 

[mikershoein]

Please God no, lets enjoy a packed stadium and laugh at the schools with 100k seats be empty and make fun of them

 

[MADHAT1]

Before thinking the HPSS will be expanded, I wonder how much money is owed on the last expansion.
When the donations start coming in that helps pay off the last expansion of Rutgers Stadium, then I think Rutgers might consider expanding again.
Right now getting funds for other projects is what the RU AD is trying to do and it doesn't seem
like it will be a quick process to get the money needed for them.
I would imagine Stadium expansion is not close to the top of Hobbs must do list , right now

 

[RUsSKii]

Regrading the north endzone would be a major project, particularly since Sutphen Road would need to be closed or re-routed for the construction to occur. I doubt we see that unless there's other expansion involving the north endzone going on.

Just to clarify, the most major work, which would surely require closure and re-routing of Sutphen Road, would be excavating and installing the foundation & substructure to support an upper deck over the north endzone, for which currently there is none. Regrading and reinstalling seating for the north endzone, which was essentially built into a natural ravine, would be relatively simpler and require only a temporary partial or closure of Sutphen Road in order to facilitate construction vehicles/staging.

Adding an upper deck to the south endzone, where an adequate foundation and structural supports already exist, would be a relatively straightforward "bolt-on" step, likely taken after luxury box installation & north endzone regrading and once the demand/waiting list has reached a certain point.

 

[DJ Spanky]

Just to clarify, the most major work, which would surely require closure and re-routing of Sutphen Road, would be excavating and installing the foundation & substructure to support an upper deck over the north endzone, for which currently there is none. Regrading and reinstalling seating for the north endzone, which was essentially built into a natural ravine, would be relatively simpler and require only a temporary partial or closure of Sutphen Road in order to facilitate construction vehicles/staging.

I agree, but I can't see them doing the work without putting in the supports, especially given it will only add 1500 seats at most. Plus I could see them adding a major video board in the process.

 

[greenknight]

Luxury boxes than upper deck in end zone. They are not going to regrate north side w/o restructuring supports for future expansion

As an FYI we need expansion 53K is not going to expand our profits we NEED to go to at least 65K. Wil bring in a boatload of parking, concessions, donations etc. We need more $$$ to keep Ash in the future. Need to look at big picture and stop being myopic

 

[Local Shill]

Not that I give a flip what they think in Antarctica but expect this threat to show up on the 170 page and counting thread about RU on the Sarah-cuse board.

 

[RUsojo]

No additional general seating necessary. Upgrades necessary. Luxury boxes ok.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

The North Endzone regarding would add about 2000-2500 seats and not really be cost effective as a project on its own

The addition of the luxury boxes should be next...

Then a southern upper deck would make the capacity to be about 63,000

It will happen once we win big....the demand will be there. Need to win big first.

 

[patk89]

Many resident geniuses were dead set against the last expansion. That being done was practically a requisite for B1G membership (showed commitment to major sports) yet people were upset that they couldn't sell their "extra" tickets for face. As is, we are smallish by our conference standards (understandable given our history). If we are able to compete in our division, demand will be created to watch the power match-ups in the future. We will need an expansion. But I'd be shocked if it happens (beyond lux boxes) in the next 10 years.

 

[Ataylor1989x]

Remember the two questions Chris Ash says he considers in every decision involved with the program....

No. 1, does it help our players develop their potential? No. 2, does it help us in recruiting?
​

Keeping it up to date will always be desirable, because of recruiting, but expanding the stadium would do neither.

 

[Leonard23]

Outside of adding new club seats & boxes on the west side, we don't need to expand the stadium for a very long time. People claiming we need 65k or 70k are crazy. 60k is likely our max & probably won't be necessary for another 20 or so years. As skoolie pointed out above & I've mentioned multiple times in these expansion threads, schools are removing seats & reducing capacity. ASU is a good reference with a similar market of many pro sports fans & fans of other teams & they're reducing capacity from ~77k to mid to upper 50ks, 40k of which are in the lower bowl. We need more amenities now. We need a giant videoboard over the north end, WiFi & a distributed sound system, all of which cost boatloads of $, to enhance game day experience for current fans before expanding. ASU is spending $256M btw & replacing the entire lower bowl to lay the WiFi wires.

Another good example is Stanford which reduced capacity from 85,500 to 50,424 in 2006.

 

[rutgersdave]

Probably 2 wins over either Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, or Mich State every year for 3-4 years or placing 2nd or 3rd in the Big Ten East for 3-4 years. That would guarantee a waiting list of 15,000-20,000 fans.

 

[greenknight]

Leoanard we are in the most densely populated portion of th US 65k is perfect size and NEEDED and wI'll happen

 

[FanuSanu52]

I think we are fine where we are right now. Some schools are even removing seats. Combined with the ease of watching the game at home, a large expansion wouldn't make sense.

Now - I think we can see club seats built on the West Side and the North side bleachers extended a few more rows in the next 5-10 years but that's it for now IMO. We have great demand for B1G games, let's keep it that way.

This is what I'm thinking. We're not selling out all our games as it is, attendance in general is on the decline, so why the heck would we undertake a major expansion? TV and home theater are only getting better.

 

[RU#1fan]

I love how people just slash and burn with topics like this.

Outside of a significant multi-year waiting list for season tickets, it would have to be a large donation for that specific purpose, probably upwards of forty million. For the 2008 expansion, the waiting list was said to be at 12K. I am sure other considerations would be worked into that decision, with parking being a main one.

However, I think way before that type of expansion happens, they will add in luxury boxes and redo the press box. Luxury boxes would be a cash cow, and if we hadn't had the recession in 2008-2010, we might have seen those already built.

Regrading the north endzone would be a major project, particularly since Sutphen Road would need to be closed or re-routed for the construction to occur. I doubt we see that unless there's other expansion involving the north endzone going on.

Are you sure it would need to be closed ?
Seems to be massive sidewalk area to work on for this.

 

[RU_DIO]

Leoanard we are in the most densely populated portion of th US 65k is perfect size and NEEDED and wI'll happen

Nothing like having 45,000 show up in a 65,000 stadium. Looks great on tv and at the stadium.

 

[Leonard23]

Leoanard we are in the most densely populated portion of th US 65k is perfect size and NEEDED and wI'll happen

The trend is to reduce capacity due to TV & costs & to have more intimate stadiums loaded with amenities that actually sell out. We don't need 65k anytime soon & may never.

 

[RUsince52]

My rep called today about single game tickets and also mentioned the seat next to our season tickets location is available if we have a friend that might be interested. It's section 103 around the 22 yard line. It was ours about 15 years ago.
Guessing no expansion without selling this seat.

 

[DJ Spanky]

My rep called today about single game tickets and also mentioned the seat next to our season tickets location is available if we have a friend that might be interested. It's section 103 around the 22 yard line. It was ours about 15 years ago.
Guessing no expansion without selling this seat.

Well, since it's next to you, they may never be able to sell that seat.

 

[ruready4somefootball]

Good to see the new topics are pouring in the summer.

And despite the tired old topic your mocking I guess,there has been over 800 views and over 40 replies, many with well thought out ideas, unlike yours,lol.

 

[Bamm Bamm Rubble]

I agree, but I can't see them doing the work without putting in the supports, especially given it will only add 1500 seats at most. Plus I could see them adding a major video board in the process.

I was under the impression that the support was built with the last expansion.

 

[DJ Spanky]

I was under the impression that the support was built with the last expansion.

No work was done on the North Endzone: the new South Endzone has supports built into it for an upper deck.

 

[RUsince52]

Well, since it's next to you, they may never be able to sell that seat.

Could be true. Our section isn't rowdy, more friendly. And we never win anything, ever !

 

[PhDKnight]

Forget expansion per se. The name of the game these days is creating more amenities and more luxury seat locations to extract more dollars per attendee per game/show.

 

[jellyman]

The North Endzone regarding would add about 2000-2500 seats and not really be cost effective as a project on its own

The addition of the luxury boxes should be next...

Then a southern upper deck would make the capacity to be about 63,000

It will happen once we win big....the demand will be there. Need to win big first.

This, mostly.

Mainly, I would expect RU would need at least a 7,000 to 8,000 ticket wait list for seaosn tickets, for at least 2 years, before it would be deemed financially prudent to expand.

 

[urbanecane]

I think we need to lose to Ohio State by less than 40 before we talk stadium expansions.