So does it sound like we're getting a completely tear down and rebuild? I think the variety of premium seating options was pretty clear based on all the surveys they've run, but really haven't seen anything on the basics. Are they keeping any of the old stadium? What are they thinking capacity wise? Are we going to be blown away or has construction gotten so expensive that it just costs several hundred million now to get the basic amenities you would expect for a stadium?
I'm hoping it's pretty much a complete tear down and rebuild, and that we build back something that just blows people away. I think KU has a really opportunity to capture the casual college football fan from KC if we can provide the type of amenities and experience people expect at a stadium nowadays. Also I'm hoping they're spending a great deal of effort to design something that will be as loud acoustically as possible because it really adds to the experience and makes you want to be there when you feel like you have an incredible homefield advantage (which also helps the team win).
It sounds like a substantial renovation project. I don't think it will be a tear down and entirely new building.
KU DOES have the opportunity to capture the KC market, and I think they are aware of it. They want to make it a NICE place to spend a Saturday, not somewhere where you just pop in and pop out.
Also, take a look at Northwestern's proposed renovations. One of the coolest aspects is how they focused on moving ALL the seats closer to the field.
I don't think Northwestern is a good example because they're demolishing and building new, which was actually what I was hoping KU would do. If KU does what NW does with seating, I'd be really excited. I want KU to have a state of the art stadium with the best sight lines, atmosphere, and premium seating options. Memorial Stadium's current seating setup is awful and pretty sure no one anywhere has tried to duplicate our setup. Seats are way too gently sloped so it doesn't lock in the sound - assist the atmosphere. When I go to a game, I'm going for the experience that you can't get at home. If a stadium is done right, it should be nearly as loud half full as it is when it's full. I'm just not sure what from the current stadium is worth preserving?
If KU is keeping some of the existing stands, consider me highly worried I'm going to be underwhelmed. No doubt it'll be an improvement, but it would be hard not to improve what might be the worst Power 5 stadium in the country but I really am hoping that KU gets it right and creates a stadium that KU can be proud of the next 50 years. That they're getting rid of the current suites is actually a good thing in my opinion. It'll be nice to see some pretty pictures at some point to have an idea of what to expect.
The tricky part with tearing everything down is that the stadium is a World War I memorial and one of the oldest college football stadiums west of the Mississippi. I think at the very least they keep the interior walls on the lowest level on the east and west sides, which date back 100+ years.
TCU is a good example to use for this entire project. They have torn down and rebuilt 3/4 of their stadium. Only the south end zone (which connects to a building similar to the Anderson Complex) was unchanged. The project was done in stages over the offseason, so the north end zone was redone, then the west side was torn down and rebuilt, then the east side, which features the 2020 club area. That was added after the initial east side rebuild.
Yup, I think that makes sense. Good perspective on the south side, too. I don't have any timeline, but I'd think it starts in Decemberish 2023 and finishes in 2025.
Great question! I should've mentioned that... KU will meet those stipulations.
Lance's contract requires meaningful progress by Dec. 15. Its final home game is Kansas State on Nov. 18. I'd bet work on the suites begins right after the season is over.
At one point I'd even heard KU was looking to get some work started after graduation, but it appears the physical changes for fans to see will start after the season.
So does it sound like we're getting a completely tear down and rebuild? I think the variety of premium seating options was pretty clear based on all the surveys they've run, but really haven't seen anything on the basics. Are they keeping any of the old stadium? What are they thinking capacity wise? Are we going to be blown away or has construction gotten so expensive that it just costs several hundred million now to get the basic amenities you would expect for a stadium?
I'm hoping it's pretty much a complete tear down and rebuild, and that we build back something that just blows people away. I think KU has a really opportunity to capture the casual college football fan from KC if we can provide the type of amenities and experience people expect at a stadium nowadays. Also I'm hoping they're spending a great deal of effort to design something that will be as loud acoustically as possible because it really adds to the experience and makes you want to be there when you feel like you have an incredible homefield advantage (which also helps the team win).
It sounds like a substantial renovation project. I don't think it will be a tear down and entirely new building.
KU DOES have the opportunity to capture the KC market, and I think they are aware of it. They want to make it a NICE place to spend a Saturday, not somewhere where you just pop in and pop out.
Also, take a look at Northwestern's proposed renovations. One of the coolest aspects is how they focused on moving ALL the seats closer to the field.
I don't think Northwestern is a good example because they're demolishing and building new, which was actually what I was hoping KU would do. If KU does what NW does with seating, I'd be really excited. I want KU to have a state of the art stadium with the best sight lines, atmosphere, and premium seating options. Memorial Stadium's current seating setup is awful and pretty sure no one anywhere has tried to duplicate our setup. Seats are way too gently sloped so it doesn't lock in the sound - assist the atmosphere. When I go to a game, I'm going for the experience that you can't get at home. If a stadium is done right, it should be nearly as loud half full as it is when it's full. I'm just not sure what from the current stadium is worth preserving?
If KU is keeping some of the existing stands, consider me highly worried I'm going to be underwhelmed. No doubt it'll be an improvement, but it would be hard not to improve what might be the worst Power 5 stadium in the country but I really am hoping that KU gets it right and creates a stadium that KU can be proud of the next 50 years. That they're getting rid of the current suites is actually a good thing in my opinion. It'll be nice to see some pretty pictures at some point to have an idea of what to expect.
The tricky part with tearing everything down is that the stadium is a World War I memorial and one of the oldest college football stadiums west of the Mississippi. I think at the very least they keep the interior walls on the lowest level on the east and west sides, which date back 100+ years.
TCU is a good example to use for this entire project. They have torn down and rebuilt 3/4 of their stadium. Only the south end zone (which connects to a building similar to the Anderson Complex) was unchanged. The project was done in stages over the offseason, so the north end zone was redone, then the west side was torn down and rebuilt, then the east side, which features the 2020 club area. That was added after the initial east side rebuild.
Yup, I think that makes sense. Good perspective on the south side, too. I don't have any timeline, but I'd think it starts in Decemberish 2023 and finishes in 2025.
It sounds like it's getting money, but doesn't Leipold's contract have stipulations based on renovations getting started soon?
Great question! I should've mentioned that... KU will meet those stipulations.
Lance's contract requires meaningful progress by Dec. 15. Its final home game is Kansas State on Nov. 18. I'd bet work on the suites begins right after the season is over.
At one point I'd even heard KU was looking to get some work started after graduation, but it appears the physical changes for fans to see will start after the season.