What would it take to expand our stadium to seat 75-80K

[Edgeman]

Have a feeling that if we're ever to join the SEC, we'll need more stadium seating. What do we gain if the North endzone is expanded like the South? (Not sure, but don't think that would add that many additional seats.) Aside from narrowing the seats to get more people into the stadium, what's next?

[JoesterVT]

Have a feeling that if we're ever to join the SEC, we'll need more stadium seating. What do we gain if the North endzone is expanded like the South? (Not sure, but don't think that would add that many additional seats.) Aside from narrowing the seats to get more people into the stadium, what's next?

Yeah...Its been discussed. Any construction in the NEZ would take out a significant chunk of the current practice facility and would only net a few thousand extra seats. Probably the only way to get to 80K would be to tear down the entire East side and build some sort of cantilever/double-decker deal there. Of course, that would take out more trees, so....

[Mercury]

I don't know if you realize, that the university is maintaining a limit on borrowing to make sure it can finance the university's needs. Right now they have two huge efforts being financed from AJ dorm, new dining hall, the performing arts center, and the new engineering school building. They are in programming for the new practice facility. WIth the Extreme limits of investment in higher education by the state administration, this is the only revenue source the university has. Also, the university must manage is debt ratio, and while its great, the university is close to its managed borrowing capacity. Therefore financing a 50-75 million capital project relying on borrowing is really unlikely for next 5-10 years. Also, for the ACC the stadium is right size. however, if it goes to the SEC they have bank the extra dollars needed to finance this additional investment.

[EddieVT]

I know this has been discussed, but can the corners be filled in? I'm not an engineer and I believe folks have said that it can't be done, but why not?

Maybe construct a new north end zone area and attach it to the east and west side?

[Edgeman]

I know this has been discussed, but can the corners be filled in? I'm not an engineer and I believe folks have said that it can't be done, but why not?

Maybe construct a new north end zone area and attach it to the east and west side?

To the best of my recollection, if a new construction project touches an older project (i.e. the current stands), the older section also has to be brought up to current code, which would have cost a great deal of additional cash. Thus the south EZ was built in that manner...

[EddieVT]

I guess that makes sense.

Could a gap be left (about a foot) between the old and new?

[48zip]

I guess that makes sense.

Could a gap be left (about a foot) between the old and new?

Not realistically, as you need the room to erect the new structure. Could it be done? Yes. But the cost would be astronomical.

The old structures you see in old town areas were typically built brick by brick, making it easier to work around the new blocks.

[HOKIERIT]

To the best of my recollection, if a new construction project touches an older project (i.e. the current stands), the older section also has to be brought up to current code, which would have cost a great deal of additional cash. Thus the south EZ was built in that manner...

I think that is correct. Something about ""pitch of the steps" or something like that. BUT, if you erect free-standing (i.e. build them abutting, but not connected), I believe that would be OK. I'm only going on what I remember hearing on here in the past....can't confirm.

I STILL think you could get 10K more seats in a North EZ complex done right...coulda, shoulda added more than a few rows when they redid the West Stands a few years back!! (Maybe that's still a possibility. it isn't as high as the East Stands , is it?).

[48zip]

I think that is correct. Something about ""pitch of the steps" or something like that. BUT, if you erect free-standing (i.e. build them abutting, but not connected), I believe that would be OK. I'm only going on what I remember hearing on here in the past....can't confirm.

I STILL think you could get 10K more seats in a North EZ complex done right...coulda, shoulda added more than a few rows when they redid the West Stands a few years back!! (Maybe that's still a possibility. it isn't as high as the East Stands , is it?).

Also related to ADA requirements (access, seating, etc)

[Edgeman]

Also related to ADA requirements (access, seating, etc)

...toilets