Look at what the Cajuns are doing

[jdcurran235]

http://www.ragincajuns.com/sports/2013/3/26/ATHL_0326132118.aspx?id=570

 

[Cplatt]

We wont expand because we dont have a good enough attendence. Do we even use the practice fields? Could use an indoor facility. We can only hope

Cplatt

[NorthoftheBorder]

http://www.ragincajuns.com/sports/2013/3/26/ATHL_0326132118.aspx?id=570

 

According to the schematic's, the current seat count is 27,692 but they advertise 30k and truly they have the room right now to get 40k with people standing and on the grass. That said phase 1 takes it to 45,239. there are 5 phases that get it to the 62.5k final capacity. Who knows how long it will be before all 5 phases are complete. I am convinced that in the next 2 years their will be a break from the NCAA by the SEC, Big Ten, PAC12, Big 12 and maybe the ACC plus ND and maybe a few other schools that will effectively freeze out the Sun Belt and other lower FBS schools and make them no more relevant than FCS. In fact the SLC may then wind up in some sort of classification for a championship with the lower FBS conferences. Who knows. But if it happens this way and they increase to 62k+ they will have way overbuilt!! Of course they can try to see if they could move up and having the facilities in place will help. Think big be big!!! I know we teach that in management classes out at LU. I wish the administration would take it to heart!!!

[jdcurran235]

I dont think there is any reason to expand unless we are going to the next level. We will never be able to play Navy at home unless we are at that next level anyway.

[crawfish]

So far, "Phase 5" is not on the forseeable horizon. The goal is to get the 1st 4 things done in 4-5 years, which seems doable. The capasity of Cajun Feild is currently at 31K although they had 41K for the Southern game a couple of years back. That is adequete for now, some some of the seating is not desireable. (corners of upper deck) Phase one, which has already been funded and approved, begins to deal with this. Right after the season ends, the stadium south end zone will be "bowled in" basically creating a horseshoe. After this, the stadium capacity will be around 47K, but only temperarily. The purpose of doing this is 2 fold; one to allow for more chairbacks to be built on the current east side to allow for more revenue, but also to allow for the upper deck to be either patially or fully razed to build luxury boxes. There are already committments from busiesses to purchase these luxury boxes. The upper deck will have a lower profile and reduced, but beter seating. I think after all of this is done capasity will be around 42K if memory servces. The rest of the improvements in the football stadium in the first 3 phases involve updating and improving restrooms concession areas, a more permanent area for vending memorbilia, etc. Other parts of the improvements will be creating green areas around the stadium with park like facilities, and improvements to baseball, track and field and soccer field.

 

The 62.5 capasity would be only if there was an eventual demand and would involve simply bowling in the north end zone. The Cajuns would have to be or getting in a higher profile conerence for that to happen.