Facility upgrades

[8timechamps]

During last weekend's big recruiting visit, several recruits were told (by Schmidt) that OU is in the process of "building" a new weight room facility. I say "building" because as of the last official word, it's still in the analysis phase. Regardless, Schmidt must feel pretty confident if he's telling recruits about it, and that would gel with what we had heard earlier (about possible upgrades).

If you've never seen the weight room, it's located on the first floor of the Switzer Center. There's nothing "old" about it, but I've always thought it didn't quite reflect the program (the way the other facilities do). It's very narrow, but spans the length of the Switzer Center. Anyway, I starting thinking about this and a thought occurred to me, if they are going to upgrade the weight room, what exactly does that mean?

There isn't really any more room for them to expand, so outside of moving it to another building, I would think that's not really an option. The other option would be to make major changes to the end zone/Switzer Center. If I remember correctly, the way the stadium sits, it's not really possible to just bowl in the south end. Instead, they would have to scrape it and redo the entire south stands. While that would be a massive project, it would certainly take care of any expansion to the weight room as well as adding additional seats.

Thoughts?

[sooneron]

I'm not sure if the south ends of the opposing sides (East West) match up perfectly either. I have always wanted them to bowl in the stadium, we'll se what happens. Dozing the South Endzone and enclosing would approach the $ that the East Side upper deck cost, maybe more in 2014/15 dollars. That's a lot of effing concrete to pour.

[CatfishSooner]

I hope they bowl in the South Endzone!

[swardboy]

I swear somewhere I read that Shmidt said it would be a $350,000.000 job. That's massive.

Edit: I'm pretty sure I read it from some recruit's interview about his visit. I thought it was a misprint, or the young man mispoke. But if it's tied into stadium renovation it makes more sense.

[birddog]

Good to see we are lifting weights. Perhaps we can compete in the big 2 now.

[8timechamps]

I swear somewhere I read that Shmidt said it would be a $350,000.000 job. That's massive.

Edit: I'm pretty sure I read it from some recruit's interview about his visit. I thought it was a misprint, or the young man mispoke. But if it's tied into stadium renovation it makes more sense.

If that's the number being thrown around, then that would lead me to believe it is, in fact, a major project. I'm sure the University will release information when the study is done, but it's starting to sound like a big time change.

[birddog]

And instead of bowling the stadium maybe we can throw in some folding chairs to fill out the south ez. :). Kinda like a&m did when they tried and phailed miserably to break the world record for loudest stadium. Didn't seem to phase our boys at all.

[TheUnnamedSooner]

About a month or two ago I was one of the randomly selected season ticket holders to participate in a survey/give suggestions on upgrades. There wasn't much about weight room and such, more on upgrades to the football stadium and basketball. Looking at adding loge (sp?) seats and maybe some club like seats in the end zone as well as redoing the west press box.

I also thought it was interesting they asked our thoughts on tearing down and rebuilding LNC. Which I said was a ridiculous idea.

[8timechamps]

About a month or two ago I was one of the randomly selected season ticket holders to participate in a survey/give suggestions on upgrades. There wasn't much about weight room and such, more on upgrades to the football stadium and basketball. Looking at adding loge (sp?) seats and maybe some club like seats in the end zone as well as redoing the west press box.

I also thought it was interesting they asked our thoughts on tearing down and rebuilding LNC. Which I said was a ridiculous idea.

Very interesting.

Sounds like whichever way they go, it's going to be more than just the Press Box facade upgrade we initially heard about.

[8timechamps]

And instead of bowling the stadium maybe we can throw in some folding chairs to fill out the south ez. :). Kinda like a&m did when they tried and phailed miserably to break the world record for loudest stadium. Didn't seem to phase our boys at all.

As long as we don't have a dog cemetery next to the stadium, I'm good.

[Therealsouthsider]

As long as we don't have a dog cemetery next to the stadium, I'm good.

...I think we already have a dog buried somewhere under the stadium...mex the dog in 1928

ss

[EatLeadCommie]

About a month or two ago I was one of the randomly selected season ticket holders to participate in a survey/give suggestions on upgrades. There wasn't much about weight room and such, more on upgrades to the football stadium and basketball. Looking at adding loge (sp?) seats and maybe some club like seats in the end zone as well as redoing the west press box.

I also thought it was interesting they asked our thoughts on tearing down and rebuilding LNC. Which I said was a ridiculous idea.

Well they're definitely re-doing the press box so I wonder if all the other stuff is a foregone conclusion as well. The LNC should be replaced, but only if the fans will fill it. I was watching the ISU game the other day and the turnout sucked.

[tycat947]

I think the $350M is a number that includes expansion/renovation of OMC ($250M) and renovation/new building of LNC ($100M). I also think these numbers are the limits set. May not spend the total amount. Once the two facility master plans are updated, they will then decide what renovations/expansions/new building will occur and when.

I would also think potentially with Headington Hall opening, they will more than likely raze Jeff House and Jones House and renovate Bud Wilkinson House in order to move the study center from under the north stands of OMC. So, they may be thinking of building a new weight room/other facilities where Jeff House or Jones House is now. Just a thought.

[Therealsouthsider]

...building a new weight facility where Jeff house is makes sense (closer to the indoor facility), always thought it a little odd that it was adjoined to the Switzer center...plus with the weight room moved there will be ample room for more trophies:excitement:

ss

[oupride]

It will probably take more than $350k to bowl the stadium.

[Boomer.....]

http://i.imgur.com/cUIuc65.jpg

[Mjcpr]

It will probably take more than $350k to bowl the stadium.

They know a guy.

[TheUnnamedSooner]

About a month or two ago I was one of the randomly selected season ticket holders to participate in a survey/give suggestions on upgrades. There wasn't much about weight room and such, more on upgrades to the football stadium and basketball. Looking at adding loge (sp?) seats and maybe some club like seats in the end zone as well as redoing the west press box.

I also thought it was interesting they asked our thoughts on tearing down and rebuilding LNC. Which I said was a ridiculous idea.

Well they're definitely re-doing the press box so I wonder if all the other stuff is a foregone conclusion as well. The LNC should be replaced, but only if the fans will fill it. I was watching the ISU game the other day and the turnout sucked.

That's exactly what I said. Because of attendance a whole new LNC would not be worth the millions of dollars. Upgrading it would make more seems until attendance increased. Increasing attendance I think it's the biggest challenge. Even with a better performing team attendance isn't great (from what I see on tv). I think it will be hard regardless considering the Thunder are less than 30 mins away.

[badger]

I loved looking into the weight room back when I visited the practice field south of the stadium --- the big motivational quotes on the walls, etc. But, if it's not good enough for our guys, by all means upgrade it

[KantoSooner]

I think we should get Punkah Wallahs. You know. Those guys with the over sized fans who kept Maharajahs cool on hot days. Having a coupla those guys following each player from weight station to weight station, fanning him, would probably be a real inducement for 18 year old elite athletes.

[stoopified]

Why couldn't you expand the weightroom area out to the south from the stadium? We practice in the rugby field complex down by the LNC so why do we need the open area behind the south endzone?

[sooneron]

Bring the South end zone bleachers back!! *Shaking fist whilst clutching cane..

[8timechamps]

I loved looking into the weight room back when I visited the practice field south of the stadium --- the big motivational quotes on the walls, etc. But, if it's not good enough for our guys, by all means upgrade it

The equipment is on par with any program in the country (and many NFL teams), so it's not an issue of having better stuff. It's more the size of the facility. It's a little bit of an awkward layout. Obviously, it's getting the job done, I just don't think it mirrors the other facilities. I also think they want to be able to show recruits a "wow" facility (much like Headington).

[TheHumanAlphabet]

I miss pneumonia downs...

[picasso]

The equipment is on par with any program in the country (and many NFL teams), so it's not an issue of having better stuff. It's more the size of the facility. It's a little bit of an awkward layout. Obviously, it's getting the job done, I just don't think it mirrors the other facilities. I also think they want to be able to show recruits a "wow" facility (much like Headington).

Yeah it's a bad layout. I've been in the Pokes in the basement of GIA, it's surrounded by an indoor track and enclosed in glass.

[fadada1]

http://i.imgur.com/cUIuc65.jpg

One more layer on the press box side and we'll resemble the tackle box in college station.

[8timechamps]

Why couldn't you expand the weightroom area out to the south from the stadium? We practice in the rugby field complex down by the LNC so why do we need the open area behind the south endzone?

They still use the south endzone practice fields during the season. However, I've often wondered why they don't scrape the artificial turf practice field. That would solve any issues they have with current expansion limitations. And they could always use the Everest Center if they were preparing for a game on turf. Maybe that's the plan, we'll see.

[PrideMom]

You think tickets are too high priced now, what do you think they will be if they want to expand the stadium? Better think twice what you wish for.......

[Ruf/Nek7]

You think tickets are too high priced now, what do you think they will be if they want to expand the stadium? Better think twice what you wish for.......

This may be true but people will still pay to come watch the game. We will still pack the place on Saturdays and what this expansion will do for recruiting will be very positive. If it means that this expansion improves the program as a whole then pay the price to make it happen. Just my opinion.

[yankee]

Would be wonderful if part of that $350 mil package was an LNC do-over. Make it smaller and less cavernous/sucky, more student-friendly, and get rid of those godawful orange-red seats. Also, the whole ticket-preference thing that I don't fully understand that ensures the bottom bowl/good seats are usually empty because old people don't go to the games either.

[champions77]

The equipment is on par with any program in the country (and many NFL teams), so it's not an issue of having better stuff. It's more the size of the facility. It's a little bit of an awkward layout. Obviously, it's getting the job done, I just don't think it mirrors the other facilities. I also think they want to be able to show recruits a "wow" facility (much like Headington).

8time the primary OU Fb team weight training facility is the Roy Williams facility south of the OU track facility. The football team rarely uses the facility at Bud Wilkinson. So what Smitty is saying is correct, we do need a bigger, nicer facility. Roy Williams only about 3-5,000 square feet I would guess. I recently was taken there by Merv on a tour. Not anything to compare to Bama, Ohio State or even the morons up the road. We need better.

[Plexis22]

Expand the SEZ to match the north side and include a new weight room at the same time. Problem solved.