DWR Stadium Expansion

[sowmonella]

Several years ago the grass guy for the athletic department told me that the height of the south enzone skyboxes blocks the sun in the south goal line area in the last few weeks of the season. Back when the field was natural grass it caused problems with that part of the field.

Mike, your taking away an excuse for some to bitch and moan. No common sense or facts allowed.

[ricepig]

Mike, your taking away an excuse for some to bitch and moan. No common sense or facts allowed.

Well, actually there is the area for the upper deck on top of the SEZ suites, so there's that, lol. I though fieldturf said they could still grow grass there, newer varieties?

[pigture perfect]

Maybe we could fill the gap by making a large space for Tusk and his herd to roam during the game instead of just his trailer.

[Con el Cerdos]

From the look of it, i dont think the field will be visible from outside the gates of the stadium. That was the tradition not just the gap. Seeing the field and razorback on the field was the attraction. Now all you see is a concrete slab.

It's not fully viewable from the "opening."  I've thought that since I saw the concrete floor in that area.  One of Long's last "gotchas" to Arkansas students and fans. 

[PonderinHog]

That gap still bugs me.

Gaps are underrated.   

[hogfan58]

If the DWR SRO takes after the SRO in jerry world, it actually will be a bit cheaper

Was a direct idea from Jerry...his "party pass" SRO areas in each end zone.

[clew]

The deck gives you tailgating or staging opportunities. Also, could that be where the team stages before running through the "A"?

What is sad, and we are only 30 years late on this one: have the gap be to the south so you can see the mountains. Some will remember the original argument against the SEZ was that it would obstruct the view of the mountains, something the original donor of the grounds was adamant about.

They should have kept the height of the SEZ seating section down--would have rather the NEZ been built up versus the south.

[Boss Hog in the Arkansas]

1-9-18 Update:
Basic frame of Lower bowl almost complete

*Note* One of the stadium construction workers was taken to the hospital yesterday. He was being tested for carbon monoxide poisoning as of the last update. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. We can disagree about how the aesthetics of our stadium but we don't want to see someone get hurt during its construction

[ricepig]

1-9-18 Update:
Basic frame of Lower bowl almost complete

*Note* One of the stadium construction workers was taken to the hospital yesterday. He was being tested for carbon monoxide poisoning as of the last update. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. We can disagree about how the aesthetics of our stadium but we don't want to see someone get hurt during its construction

Latest update is it wasn't associated with carbon monoxide, personal health issues. Hopefully nothing too serious.

http://m.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/jan/08/construction-worker-razorback-stadium-taken-hospit/

[Boss Hog in the Arkansas]

Latest update is it wasn't associated with carbon monoxide, personal health issues. Hopefully nothing too serious.

http://m.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/jan/08/construction-worker-razorback-stadium-taken-hospit/

+1 Thanks for the update. Hope he recovers quickly

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

If you sit down to watch the game then you're doing it wrong.  Only time that's acceptable is if you're at home watching on TV.

No, you're wrong... If you stand up and hop up and down like a meth dead at a banjo jam off when there is nothing exciting happening you're just a spoiled brat, and deserve to be chair bound when you get old.

[Mike Irwin]

That gap still bugs me.

Me too.

[bphi11ips]

Me too.

I didn't understand it from the beginning.  Yes, people have watched games for years from the hill north of the stadium.  Watched a Texas Tech game myself from the west side of the Broyles Complex before it was expanded.  But to say there was some "tradition" strong enough to carve out the gap left me scratching my head. Really?

[Hayden1865]

No, you're wrong... If you stand up and hop up and down like a meth dead at a banjo jam off when there is nothing exciting happening you're just a spoiled brat, and deserve to be chair bound when you get old.

and this is exactly why I'm ready for the standing room only tickets.

[Hog Pharm]

I didn't understand it from the beginning.  Yes, people have watched games for years from the hill north of the stadium.  Watched a Texas Tech game myself from the west side of the Broyles Complex before it was expanded.  But to say there was some "tradition" strong enough to carve out the gap left me scratching my head. Really?

I've never considered it a tradition. That said, I think it will look better when it's complete. I actually like the renderings of the finished product.

[ricepig]

I didn't understand it from the beginning.  Yes, people have watched games for years from the hill north of the stadium.  Watched a Texas Tech game myself from the west side of the Broyles Complex before it was expanded.  But to say there was some "tradition" strong enough to carve out the gap left me scratching my head. Really?

I think it was more a tradition of being able to turn on to Stadium from Maple and be able to "look" into the stadium. Also, regular students, families, and just fans liked to have their picture taken with the stadium field in the background. I don't know how that will look after it's finished, but that's the tradition I know of.

[bphi11ips]

I think it was more a tradition of being able to turn on to Stadium from Maple and be able to "look" into the stadium. Also, regular students, families, and just fans liked to have their picture taken with the stadium field in the background. I don't know how that will look after it's finished, but that's the tradition I know of.

I was there Monday and you do have a clear view of the field from the stoplight at Maple and Stadium Drive.  I've seen a photo from the 50s era of students dressed in suits and dresses picnicing on the hill there watching a game.  I've just never heard it referred to as a "tradition" until the plans were announced. 

I don't have strong feelings about the gap one way or the other but probably would have closed it unless money was the issue.  It is going to be impressive when finished. 

[ricepig]

I was there Monday and you do have a clear view of the field from the stoplight at Maple and Stadium Drive.  I've seen a photo from the 50s era of students dressed in suits and dresses picnicing on the hill there watching a game.  I've just never heard it referred to as a "tradition" until the plans were announced. 

I don't have strong feelings about the gap one way or the other but probably would have closed it unless money was the issue.  It is going to be impressive when finished. 

I think the new "look-in" cuts about 10-20 yards off what the previous look gave, but it's fine with me.

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

and this is exactly why I'm ready for the standing room only tickets.

LOL..! Well, we can agree on that. I would also vote to allow beer for all y'all standing down there. Maybe even a dance contest during TV time-outs...

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

I was there Monday and you do have a clear view of the field from the stoplight at Maple and Stadium Drive.  I've seen a photo from the 50s era of students dressed in suits and dresses picnicing on the hill there watching a game.  I've just never heard it referred to as a "tradition" until the plans were announced. 

I don't have strong feelings about the gap one way or the other but probably would have closed it unless money was the issue.  It is going to be impressive when finished. 

I have a feeling with the sales of the loge boxes that that area will be closed rather quickly. Maybe 5 to 8 years at most.

[PonderinHog]

LOL..! Well, we can agree on that. I would also vote to allow beer for all y'all standing down there. Maybe even a dance contest during TV time-outs...

I was thinking an amusement park might bring in the Central Arkansas crowds.

[Anybody]

goodguytex -   fan is short for fanatic.

GO HOGS !

[Hayden1865]

LOL..! Well, we can agree on that. I would also vote to allow beer for all y'all standing down there. Maybe even a dance contest during TV time-outs...

Would love the beer. No dancing for me. Nothing against people who like to sit but i get so jacked up when I'm watching my team play I have a hard time sitting. Lower cost is also great for someone like myself who is just out of school.

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

I was thinking an amusement park might bring in the Central Arkansas crowds.

Putt Putt... With the 18th hole being the opposing mascot's wahoo...

[PonderinHog]

Putt Putt... With the 18th hole being the opposing mascot's wahoo...

Nope that needs to be on the southwest corner of the campus on the other side of the by-pass.

[RockyMtnHog]

That was great when they had the little triangle windows you could flip around

There are a few of us that are telling our age.  I'm going on 65.

[Springfield_MO_Razorback]

I've never considered it a tradition. That said, I think it will look better when it's complete. I actually like the renderings of the finished product.

I agree. The final renderings look pretty good. I'm neutral when it comes to the gap. I don't mind either way but maybe the current design will allow for an easy addition if they ever decide to fill it in completely. You never know what the future holds. Just think, 50-60 years ago did people really imagine college football stadiums being as large as they are today? Probably not. But they keep adding and adding to the original blueprints over the years.

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

I agree. The final renderings look pretty good. I'm neutral when it comes to the gap. I don't mind either way but maybe the current design will allow for an easy addition if they ever decide to fill it in completely. You never know what the future holds. Just think, 50-60 years ago did people really imagine college football stadiums being as large as they are today? Probably not. But they keep adding and adding to the original blueprints over the years.

They did in Tennessee...

[Michael D Huff AIA]

I never heard of trying to watch a Razorback game without a ticket being a tradition at UA.  I've been going to games since 1977 and have a 5 year diploma from the Architecture school.  I'm afraid that "a unique situation because of topography" became "a tradition" during the design process of this expansion. 

[ricepig]

I never heard of trying to watch a Razorback game without a ticket being a tradition at UA.  I've been going to games since 1977 and have a 5 year diploma from the Architecture school.  I'm afraid that "a unique situation because of topography" became "a tradition" during the design process of this expansion. 

Well, if you would have spent less time in the lab, you would have known that. You don't recall seeing fans sitting on the hillside watching? I'm not talking across the road, but on the hillside by the stadium. I guess my seats in the SOC allowed me to see that corner, I'd always see that, and the tents set up for recruits on top of the BAC. I think the tradition was the look-in or ability to see into the stadium traveling south down Stadium.

[Cotton]

Well, if you would have spent less time in the lab, you would have known that. You don't recall seeing fans sitting on the hillside watching? I'm not talking across the road, but on the hillside by the stadium. I guess my seats in the SOC allowed me to see that corner, I'd always see that, and the tents set up for recruits on top of the BAC. I think the tradition was the look-in or ability to see into the stadium traveling south down Stadium.

Taking a picture with the stadium as a backdrop has been a tradition IMO.  I've always seen several people outside the games there from our Lower Westside tickets.

[ricepig]

Taking a picture with the stadium as a backdrop has been a tradition IMO.  I've always seen several people outside the games there from our Lower Westside tickets.

Now, I didn't do it in 76-80, but my kids did, usually on their way way out of town after graduating. Now days they let them get on the field for graduation pictures.

[GuvHog]

Well, if you would have spent less time in the lab, you would have known that. You don't recall seeing fans sitting on the hillside watching? I'm not talking across the road, but on the hillside by the stadium. I guess my seats in the SOC allowed me to see that corner, I'd always see that, and the tents set up for recruits on top of the BAC. I think the tradition was the look-in or ability to see into the stadium traveling south down Stadium.

Agreed. I became a season ticket holder in 1999 but in 2006, I had to retire early due to health issues and could not financially afford the tickets for the 2007 season so I road up with my brother and sat in a lawn chair on the sidewalk in that open corner to watch the games. I hated not being able to be inside the stadium but I wanted to sec the Hogs play in person. It meant that much to me. Thankfully, things improved and I was able to buy tickets from 2008 to 2012. Having to become a 24/7/365 caretaker for my mother ended my trips to the games.

[Cotton]

Now, I didn't do it in 76-80, but my kids did, usually on their way way out of town after graduating. Now days they let them get on the field for graduation pictures.

After the Broyles complex was completed it created a good platform for that.

[PermianPig]

After a Chad Morris Natty in the next 3-5 years, then we can fill in that "air" gap and make an underground tunnel for the road on the west side. 

[Michael D Huff AIA]

For the record, I missed three football games in the 5 years that I was a student. Missed three basketball games (not counting games during the Christmas break) in the same time period.  Some things are just not worth missing.

I always thought that hill was where the freeloaders tried to watch the game for free, you know, get something for nothing.  Didn't know that was a 'tradition' at our school.

I'm pretty neutral about 'the gap'.  It seems like an experiment that can be easily fixed if that experiment doesn't work.  I do like the idea of the standing room only area.  That could be fun, and a different sort of experience. 

[GuvHog]

After a Chad Morris Natty in the next 3-5 years, then we can fill in that "air" gap and make an underground tunnel for the road on the west side. 

My guess is the West side renovation will happen LONG before that gap gets closed.

[razorbackfaninar]

I never heard of trying to watch a Razorback game without a ticket being a tradition at UA.  I've been going to games since 1977 and have a 5 year diploma from the Architecture school.  I'm afraid that "a unique situation because of topography" became "a tradition" during the design process of this expansion.

I have always lived in Central Arkansas. I used to travel to NW Arkansas for work and for my son's baseball tournaments.  Maybe it's because we aren't always up there but any time of year we were up there we always made a ride by the stadium, stopped, looked into the stadium, sometimes taking pictures sometimes not, and many times we have run into people taking pictures there.  Met a couple doing their engagement photo there and one taking a pic of a new baby for a card to mail out for birth announcements.  Now maybe it's just happens to be me and the people I know, but I have always thought it was pretty common for people to do that.  I used to work for some really big donors in Little Rock and when they were raising money Jeff Long and John Fagg came by our office and gave a presentation of what all of this was supposed to look like.  This was before the Jones Center was even built and I remember them saying at the time that they were leaving the gap for traditional purposes.  I thought it was a great idea then, and I think it looks good with the space there.  I guess I always assumed it was a tradition for folks to go there and look into the stadium, take pictures hang out on game day etc. 

[Bash]

they could still grow grass there, newer varieties?

That might fly with the hippies in Colorado, but not here.

[Oklahawg]

The gap is a nice location for SEC Nation or ESPN Game Day. Pep rally area for a mini-band (like the commando band that circles the upper deck during the second half).

The picture backdrop is a huge thing. How many times do we see that? I see it a lot, even if others do not.

Plus, they had to have a way to get the big cranes out of the stadium!

[Bash]

The gap is a nice location for SEC Nation or ESPN Game Day....Plus, they had to have a way to get the big cranes out of the stadium!

Doesn't look like you could get them out through the gap - 2 story structure there.  Which raises a fascinating question.  How the heck are they going to get them out?  Imagine the awkwardness of getting everything done and closed in and then realizing the cranes are still there with no way to get them out!  Someone do a stat FOI on the construction plans before its too late!

[FraggleHog]

The gap is a nice location for SEC Nation or ESPN Game Day. Pep rally area for a mini-band (like the commando band that circles the upper deck during the second half).

The picture backdrop is a huge thing. How many times do we see that? I see it a lot, even if others do not.

Plus, they had to have a way to get the big cranes out of the stadium!

Not sure if you're joking... but the cranes are collapsed and rolled through the South East Endzone tunnel...

[Bash]

Not sure if you're joking... but the cranes are collapsed and rolled through the South East Endzone tunnel...

Oh, what a relief.  I was just about to start a "Save the Yellow Cranes!" campaign.

[razCzar]

Doesn't look like you could get them out through the gap - 2 story structure there.  Which raises a fascinating question.  How the heck are they going to get them out?  Imagine the awkwardness of getting everything done and closed in and then realizing the cranes are still there with no way to get them out!  Someone do a stat FOI on the construction plans before its too late!

You're kidding, right?
I check out progression of several UA projects 2-3x/week and saw them deliver the crane.  If you go to 8:37am on December 4 on the Time Lapse, you'll see it being rolled in on a flatbed.  The wide tracks were attached to the body on-site over about 4 hours. 

[AirWarren]

The better question is.

How are they going to get some wins inside the stadium?

[razCzar]

Regarding this gap "tradition" thing... completely fabricated.  Trust me, been around since our natty days and have never heard such nonsense.  BUT if it turns out like most of the renderings, it should be killer.

[HoggyCat]

The better question is.

How are they going to get some wins inside the stadium?

"Under construction"

[ricepig]

Regarding this gap "tradition" thing... completely fabricated.  Trust me, been around since our natty days and have never heard such nonsense.

So, you've never looked into the stadium while driving west on Maple, or south on Stadium?

[razCzar]

So, you've never looked into the stadium while driving west on Maple, or south on Stadium?

Well, I guess... lived/parked on Stadium Drive for four years.

[ricepig]

Well, I guess... lived/parked on Stadium Drive for four years.

So, it was a tradition. You never saw people sitting on the hill watching a game, taking a picture, or read about this?