I will also note that I was thoroughly impressed with the types of forward-thinking in this survey. In terms of how we can upgrade the fan experience, the Likert scale questions asking respondents to rate the importance of things such as seat dimensions, wifi incorporation, ordering food from your seat, e-tickets, video board improvements, and more not only show the athletic department's legitimate commitment to upgrading our fan experience, but also that they understand the cutting edge industry trends occurring in sports right now.

Not all ADs and athletic departments would think to ask many of these questions, or even know that these things exist. We should be impressed with that. I know I am.

Writeup and pics of Elon's new Schar Center....Very nice, but had a projected cost of $20 mil in 2016, and ended up costing $40 mil. I think a lot could be done to renovate Kaplan while adding a practice facility, for a lot less.
http://www.elon.edu/e-net/Article/164873

It does not appear to have given any uptick in their basketball recruiting.

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Questions also covered whether or not fans want concerts, Globetrotters games, fairs, etc. That leads me to believe Huge is considering the feasibility of maintaining a venue as big as the Hall. I guess the final decision--to renovate or new build--would depend on if the building will host non-W&M events.

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(10-22-2018 03:48 PM)Tribal Wrote:  Questions also covered whether or not fans want concerts, Globetrotters games, fairs, etc. That leads me to believe Huge is considering the feasibility of maintaining a venue as big as the Hall. I guess the final decision--to renovate or new build--would depend on if the building will host non-W&M events.

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Long ago the Hall did host such events. As overall quality of venues has improved, the desirability of the Hall has declined. I remember watching the ABA Virginia Squires with Dr. J (yes I'm that old), Globetrotters, many concerts, movies, and even worked at a state political convention in the Hall.
Perhaps James City County or the City of Williamsburg would partner in such a venue in order to have a more expanded draw for economic development.

(10-22-2018 03:59 PM)LeadBolt Wrote:  Perhaps James City County or the City of Williamsburg would partner in such a venue in order to have a more expanded draw for economic development.

Interesting prospect, though there's not much money in local government these days.

Also, when I filled out the survey, I was pretty strong in suggesting that while I don't think we need a new facility, I would support any plan the AD came up with. But the one thing I could not support is an off-campus facility. (I wish I'd thought to say that!)

Practice facility, sound system, and video boards ... that was my two cents ... was negative about a new facility.

Also gave them my price point which I think is a key part of this survey .... how much can they expect from the base.

That was pretty much my input, as well. Go with the renovation and put the saved money into the practice facility. I also harped on the need for sound system and video boards (plural), including in the corners. Oh, and yeah, I mentioned an attempt to add edible food, as well.

I gave my two cents also. One thing that they didn't talk about (or I missed it) was the concept of flex options. I'm in Northern VA so I only go to a few games, but I'd be real interested in paying much more money for those games with great amenities and seats as opposed to having to buy the entire season. I suppose people could go in on seats and split the games, but the whole seat license thing is a real mess. I'll wait to see how it works for basketball, but when you see the best sections in football (bleacher back seats in 103-105) half full for high attendance games you have to assume that they didn't sell those seats. Shoot, I may even buy a luxury box game to game if I had enough people interested. Our company bought a single game box at the Nats game a few years ago for about $3000 (24 seats) and it included decent ball park food and soft drinks.

Whatever the outcome, I like the aggressive behavior by Huge and staff. She's trying to build a winner and make money. Two things that go hand in hand and perpetuate themselves if you do it right and it is sustainable.

(10-23-2018 12:55 PM)nj alum Wrote:  Practice facility, sound system, and video boards ... that was my two cents ... was negative about a new facility.

Also gave them my price point which I think is a key part of this survey .... how much can they expect from the base.

Totally depends on the cost for either. Sometimes the costs are similar even without a major overhaul, which I worry could be the case here due to the odd structural horseshoe shape and the complete lack of luxury boxes. Im no architect, but I have a feeling that its a wash or even cheaper to replace.

(10-23-2018 01:58 PM)billymac Wrote:  That was pretty much my input, as well. Go with the renovation and put the saved money into the practice facility. I also harped on the need for sound system and video boards (plural), including in the corners. Oh, and yeah, I mentioned an attempt to add edible food, as well.

That's where I was too, except I also suggested--insisted actually--that they do something productive with the open end of the arena (and I even gave them some ideas).

Generally I am in favor of renovation because old buildings are cool, and you can't make a new old building. And while much of what has occurred inside the Hall over the years has been forgettable, I still have a few good memories in there.

If they do decide to renovate, I want to see 360-degree floor level seating, luxury options, modern audiovisual, the works.

(10-23-2018 02:39 PM)nogretheogre Wrote:  

(10-23-2018 12:55 PM)nj alum Wrote:  Practice facility, sound system, and video boards ... that was my two cents ... was negative about a new facility.

Also gave them my price point which I think is a key part of this survey .... how much can they expect from the base.

Totally depends on the cost for either. Sometimes the costs are similar even without a major overhaul, which I worry could be the case here due to the odd structural horseshoe shape and the complete lack of luxury boxes. Im no architect, but I have a feeling that its a wash or even cheaper to replace.

I'm not seeing that. Replacement will be north of $80M, and if the arena has all the amenities mentioned in the survey, it will be north of $120M.

Honestly, I would do a minimal renovation: something less than $5M. The building would still have quirks, but it could be very very functional.

Here's something I drew up on a snowy day a couple of years ago to show how you could create something nice in the open end, while also providing better circulation throughout the building. Provides stage space when necessary, beer garden, storage underneath, etc.


  kapextreme.jpeg (Size: 202.08 KB / Downloads: 36)

My biggest things involved items that I think will help recruiting. For me, an interior remodel is essential. Dedicated practice facility, sound system, and video systems are must haves. Lights, music, and announcer for player introduction.

I like the idea of a few options for real food that people can take to their seats (trays that snap into arm rests). Sub shop, Chick-fil-a type, and pizza/burgers/hot dogs/bbq. I think a lot of people would appreciate waiter service.

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(10-23-2018 02:41 PM)Got Ribe Wrote:  

(10-23-2018 01:58 PM)billymac Wrote:  That was pretty much my input, as well. Go with the renovation and put the saved money into the practice facility. I also harped on the need for sound system and video boards (plural), including in the corners. Oh, and yeah, I mentioned an attempt to add edible food, as well.

That's where I was too, except I also suggested--insisted actually--that they do something productive with the open end of the arena (and I even gave them some ideas).

Great minds think alike!

I told them something HAD to be done about the open end, as well. It sucks the life right out of the building!
I gave them a couple ideas for this season, even before any renovation. I've always hated that huge vacuum.

100% agreement on the vast open end of Kaplan. It deprives the building of any intimacy.
I suggested they install some sort of system of curtains coming down from the ceiling to the floor to close it off (as well as the far reaches of the upper stands so a crowd of 3000-4000 makes the pl;ace look jammed and keeps the sound in.

Has anyone who has been to a home game this year noticed if anything from the survey has been incorporated yet - even on the most basic levels - or any other "fan experience" changes from last year? I certainly realize that big ticket items haven't or wouldn't have been incorporated yet.

I assume that the survey was more in line with the 10-year plan's timeline, which of course includes an entirely new (or renovated) Kaplan Arena.

Even still, there may be some very low hanging fruit that could be incorporated this year; either way, it's likely too early to expect anything major just yet.

Unfortunately, these things take time (and money).

For those who know William and Mary Hall and have been inside it (not just in the seating area) understand that some of what was asked in the survey was impossible to do. For example, you can't put luxury boxes in without enormous cost and basically demolishing the upper half of the building. You can't do that either because you will have nowhere to play unless you can do the project in about 8 months. The best you will ever get out of the Hall is better seats, better sound, a new scoreboard, and some things can be done in the interior area outside of the arena. You won't get upper seating closer to the court, luxury boxes, more and better food, catering, concessions, or dedicated space for the basketball teams (like Laycock Center). Keep the Hall for academic offices and intramural if you want, or just tear it down. Arena's that are approaching 50 years have served their purpose and keeping them up much longer begets big infrastructure issues going forward. Remember that the point is to sell more tickets and concessions. Also, when we packed the arena in the 70s and 80s it was still new and that's what new arenas were like back then. Mix in a good team with nationally recognized opponents and things were fine. Teams could get a good paycheck when they came because we could sell 8 to 10 thousand tickets.