Friday, April 20, 2007

UAA's New Arena Takes Shape

Ok then ... this is the first off-season breaking of my self-pledge to not post anything here until August 1st. I don't think there's a lot of commentary I need to add since a picture is worth a thousand words right? That being the case here's four-thousand words you won't have to read from me. Click your mouse on the pictures to get full sized versions. It's a good looking plan at first glance. And it's sure nice to see this process moving forward. This new arena will make UAA a perennial powerhouse in the WCHA!


My understanding is the hockey seating is 10K. I don't see any balcony so the sightlines should be very good for everyone in the rink. I looked for me on the entrance picture and while lots of the people are in short sleeves there sure isn't anyone wearing short pants. Sigh.

Lastly, all credit for acquisition of these pictures goes to UAA's biggest fan in Shreveport, USCHO's "Wolfman" (pictured below ... left).


58 comments:

UAAalumni09 said...

It looks great, to bad I willn't be attending college then. :(

Donald Dunlop said...

I'm real curious what the realistic timeline for getting this done turns out to be. 2013 seems like a long time to me now and I hope it was just a "first cut".

Anonymous said...

I heard they were breaking ground in 2008.

Anonymous said...

Donald, that is Wolfman in the pic. UAA Seawolves Fan lives in Chugiak.

Donald Dunlop said...

My off-season fog is responsible for the misidentification of the most fabulous wolfman. My heartfelt apologies to him.

Anonymous said...

Actually, it looks to me like there is a balcony of some sort. One, the seating bowl looks way too small to hold 10k, just by its proportion to the rink size. Two, there are some small staircases that can be seen near each of the luxury boxes, indicating some sort of elevated seating, at least along the sides of the rink.

Good looking ideas, but it all seems pretty preliminary at this point.

Anonymous said...

Ooops forgot one more thing:

The exterior renderings have an awfully high roof, further suggesting some sort of upper deck.

UAAalumni09 said...

Where did Wolfman get that flag at?

Donald Dunlop said...

blocksi:
The pictures are "renderings" and not necessarily entirely accurate to scale. It looks to me that the layout is similar to Mariucci in that there's an upper concourse and then the bowl seating.

The blue boxes centered at the top are labeled as "booster boxes".

I also believe I read that the entrance will be concourse level.

Anonymous said...

Actually, hockey arena is supposed to be constructed with seating capacity between 7,500 and 10,000, but the goal is to have 10,000. This includes the "luxary" upper deck seating. The basketball arena is supposed to be 3,500 and 6,000 with the goal to be 6,000. There have been some suggestions that Anchorage may put in for the Winter Olympic games, hence the 10K seating.

By the way, this is Wolfman

Donald Dunlop said...

Also ..

I didn't include the lower level rendering. My intention wasn't to provide all the drawings here just the ones that seemed most pertinent.

And if ground-breaking plans are in 08 then I'd expect a finished arena 18-24 months later which could mean playing there in the 11-12 season.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, Dr. Cobb said that his goal is to get the money for planning/construction as soon as he can. He is very excited about the project and is trying to gain as much support as possible.

Also, the project comes with two parking garages, two outdoor soccer fields, two auxilary gyms and room for a new "Seawolf Hall of Fame" and Athletic offices. Even has new room for a cardio/weight room. Very neat project.

Anonymous said...

OK, I just re-looked at all my pictures and there is clearly a lower and upper deck. Like Donald said, he didn't post all the renderings. There is like 9 total. Easily could hold 10K.

Donald Dunlop said...

I've looked at all of them again as well but wouldn't say there is clearly an upper and lower deck. On the doc called "Lower_Floor_Plan_2_28_07_sm.pdf" the lower half of the loge seating is shown in blue (I believe) for referential purposes.

If anyone would like to see all of them just email me and I'll send them for your own interpretation.

Jimjamesak said...

Ok let's start thinking of nicknames. Personally I'm in favor of "The House of Myths and Legends" or "Coach Brush's Place" or if Wells Fargo will get the naming contract "The Bank". Got any?

Donald Dunlop said...

My choices would be ....

Brush Christiansen Arena
Jeff Batters Memorial Arena
Lair of the Seawolf
North Coast Arena
Big Wild Life Sports Arena
Where Nanooks Come To Die Arena
Alaska's Flagship Sports Arena
The Sub-Arctic Jungle

UAAalumni09 said...

Maybe if we name it Ted Stevens Arena or Palin Arena, that it would get built quicker and cheaper

Anonymous said...

Donald, your right, I guess it is not CLEARLY defined between upper deck and lower. I was comparing the "Ground floor plan" and "Lower Floor Plan" trying to put those together. I am extremely excited about this!! Also, in one of the renderings, if you look closely, you will see a "SEAWOLF" statue!

Anonymous said...

Thought it looked like there was an upper deck of some sort :)

Question: Part of the logic behind this is hosting the Shootout, correct? Does that mean that the larger hockey arena could also be used for basketball and other events that would attract a larger crowd?

Looking at the basketball half, the angles of the grandstands indicate bleacher seats to me that can be retracted, so you then get 3 basketball courts to practice on, or a bigger floor area for gymnastics meets or something.

All in all, looks like an excellent facility.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Dr. Cobb said that Key games will be played on the hockey arena like the "Great Alaska Shootout". The hockey side can also be a basketball, arena football, and other configurations like the Sully.

Donald Dunlop said...

akguy2004:
I don't think I could go there if they name it after Stevens or Palin. ****shudder***

Wolfman:
I'm thinking that the nice thing about this project is that it will likely be bundled with the other badly needed capital projects for the University. That should mean (I'm hoping) that it will be broadly supported in the legislature. As rich as this state is it will be a travesty if there is anything other than token tightwad opposition. Whenever the issue comes up in Juneau you can be sure I'll make my voice heard in legislative email circles.

Jimjamesak said...

I'm sure it would be used for something other than hockey. Renting it out for concerts and such makes more money for the University and what University doesn't love more money?

Anonymous said...

I agree. It is being billed as a "U-MED" project which means city involvement. I heard that the Mayor of Anchorage supports such a facility. We will see what happens!

Jeff said...

Adam Corrin isn't going to play for uaa next year. He plans on transfering somewhere else. He doesnt know where yet though

Anonymous said...

Lawson and Rosette have left as well.

Jeff said...

had a feeling lawson was leaving. didnt know rosette was going to take off.

Anonymous said...

Can't blame Rosie, he didn't get much of a chance. I don't believe Lawson is good enough to go "pro", so that whole situation should be very interesting.

He certainly didn't add much to UAA last season, so it's not a huge loss in my opinion. Had he played up to his potential the entire year (instead of just the playoffs when scouts were watching) UAA could really have made some noise last season.

UAAalumni09 said...

the next question is, who is gonna back up Jonny O? If we were to get someone to transfer, they have to sit out a year, and by now all of the good goalie recruits are taken. It will be interesting to see how the recruits do next year since it is Shyiaks second class of his recruits

Jeff said...

Lawson was trying to go pro after last season too. He was told to play for uaa for another year, and then try out again. He may not have improved enough for the capitals' standards, so they may very well suggest he stay for his senior year at uaa. who knows what's going to happen.

Anonymous said...

Good for Nathan, at least he won't have to put up with the UAA faithful riding his ass every weekend. Maybe he'll have a defense in front of him at the pro level, so that he can really shine, instead of being hung out to dry night after night.

Anonymous said...

Jeff, Lawson is gone. As far as dude's comment, that's a joke. UAA had better defense. Shots were way down this year, goals against were down, goals scored were up. Everything improved except for Lawsons numbers.

When the goalie passes the puck right to the opposition, that's kinda hard to blame on defense.

Good luck Rosie!

malainse said...

Do the plans say how big the sheet of Ice is?

Jeff said...

well,all i'm saying is that he's still at uaa, doing workouts with the team.

Anonymous said...

jeff,

He probably will stay until the end of the semester, and why shouldn't he be working out? He's got to stay in shape. Too bad he didn't get his degree, seems like a really BAD decision on his part.

UAAalumni09 said...

does anyone have the tenative schedule for next season?

Anonymous said...

I just emailed Steve Cobb to ask when this new arena proposal will offically go "public". I am waiting for his response. I will let you know his response when I get it.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Wolfman!!!

Anonymous said...

I got an email back from Dr. Cobb. He indicated that news to the public was due out in April, but since they are changing Chancellors, they are waiting for the new Chancellor to announce. He said that this project will be announced very shortly.

UAAalumni09 said...

I was walking in the Wells Fargo Sports Complex today and found this near the Athletics Department on a sheet of paper
Oct. 5 or 6 Exhibition (TBA)
Oct. 12-13 Nye Frontier Classic
Oct. 19-20 Alaska Fairbanks
Oct. 26-27 Minnesota State
Nov. 30-Dec. 1 Colorado College
Dec. 14-15 Denver
Jan. 18-19 Wisconsin
Feb. 1-2 Michigan tech
Feb. 15-16 St. Cloud State
Feb. 29-Mar. 1 Minnesota

UAAalumni09 said...

I forgot to put that it is next seasons, 2007-08, tentative home schedule, and it is "subject to change"

Anonymous said...

Is that a roundabout I see by the dorms?

What is it with Anchorage's obsession with roundabouts? Why not a streetlight? I don't mind waiting my turn, seriously.

Donald Dunlop said...

In a recent experiment in Europe they found that by removing all traffic controls (signage and lights) and forced people to use their judgement and negotiation skills (eye contact) that traffic accidents were reduced by ridiculous amounts.

They've done this at several mid-level busy intersections and are finding it much more effective than the myriad of signage that apparently confused the stupid people that create accidents. I guess even stupid peopple that cant read signs can deal with the simplicity of having to use courtesy to get through a roundabout.

Roundabouts are more efficient and safer but of course since they aren't the traditional American way of doing things they'll likely never make a big impact in this country.

Anonymous said...

Yeah well round-a-bouts are not effecient or safe when you drive a big truck around like I do. Man. I hate that dowling intersection geez. I feel like I am going to die every time I am forced to use it. And I am not entirely convinced to whether or not it has helped traffic or just made people avoid the intersection.

Anonymous said...

yeah, but we are getting a new arena!

Donald Dunlop said...

Anon @ 2:02:
You have to design roads for the 99% of vehicles that use them not the 1% that require occassional access.

The resistance to roundabouts seems to me to be more of the "We don't care how they do it outside" attitude that permeates Alaska. We Americans in general have little tolerance for how things are done in other parts of the world. Even when they have a long proven efficiency. I guess that's because we figure the other 6.2 billion people in the world have their head up their ass.

It's an arrogance that's going to have to change at some point in the future or America will lose it's leadership role (if it hasn't already).

The Romans thought they knew best.

Anonymous said...

uh oh, is the Donald going to run for office soon? He couldn't be any worse than the hacks that just got arrested down in Juneau. Stick with hockey Donald, it's something do best and you can't go to jail for.

Donald Dunlop said...

Opinionated, dogmatic, harsh, unwavering, direct, ugly and loud are all adjectives (among many others) that could apply to me in terms of my communication style.

Political isn't.

I'd get about two votes in a run for any office. My beliefs are so far outside the mainstream that I scare most people.

For Example:
If I were suddenly King of the U.S. ...
I'd tear down the borders (the concept of nationalism IS the largest obstacle to an evolving society) ...

I'd stand down the majority of the federal Armed Services (except for the federal Coast Guard -- for rescue-- and state controlled "militias" -- for disasters) ...

Citizenship would be based not on birthright (which is arbitrary bs) but on deeds ...

I'd institute a more direct form of democracy using professionally trained civics experts elected by a lottery with defined time limits ...

There'd be NO obscenely rich people (in fact anyone who got too rich would go to jail with the child molesters) ...

Most other criminals would be restrained with technology and put to work earning their keep ...

Anyone honking their car horn for any purpose other than avoiding a car accident would be tattooed on thier forehead with a big A (for ASSHOLE) ...

Creative dissention would be encouraged and respected and the best ideas would be rewarded monetarily ...

The teaching of Mythology as truth would be eliminated ...

"Rap" and "Music" would not be allowed as a phrase and rappers wouldn't be allowed to say they had a "Band" ...

A tunnel from North America to the European continent WOULD be built IMMEDIATELY ...
Scientists would make more money than Athletes and Businessmen ...

There wouldn't be dirty (or bad or obscene)words ...

And after 30 days the concept of a "King" would be eliminated and I'd step down ...

SEE? Nobody would want me in charge ...

Donald Dunlop said...

I forgot one ...

Anyone saying "orientated" instead or "oriented" would be crucified ...

Anonymous said...

What is the monetary benchmark would you use for "obscenely rich"? I would like to know so that I know when to stop making money.

Donald Dunlop said...

I'd consider anyone with 100 million dollar portfolio as obscenely rich.

Andrew Carnegie gave away roughly 70 percent of his wealth. Bill Gates "appears" to have given away about a third of his (though his remaining 53 Billion will at some point replace the 26 million he gave away). Of the remaining 400 or so BILLIONAIRES; none have given away more than 1 percent of their obscene wealth.

Anyone that makes 100 million and then doesn't start giving away money over and above that amount is a greedy scumbag that is no better than a kiddie rapist.

Anonymous said...

Beagle has a short interview on the ADN, in his game against the Aces last night:

http://www.adn.com/photos/multimedia/sports/aces/vsidaho/

Anonymous said...

Dr. Cobb just emailed me to let me know that UAA has been projected to received the 1 Million planning money for the new UAA hockey/basketball arena. We should see something shortly in the media! This is great news!

Anonymous said...

I sure wish these blog responses were dated.

Dr. Cobb e-mailed Wolfman "when"?

Hard to tell by looking at these threads whether they're an hour old or 2 or 3 months old.

:o/

Donald Dunlop said...

Is that better Anon? I had never looked at the comment timestamp option ...

Know what I wish?

I wish Anon comments included some sort of identifying information i.e...

"I hate this blog yada yada yada ... etc"
BillyBob

Anonymous said...

Ah geez Donald, I'm sorry! (I asked about dating the threads. Me, Larissa, not BillyBob. LOL!!)

I'm saving all that registration crapola for some night when I can't sleep and I'm bored out of my mind.

Everytime I drift in here, it seems like I learn something new. Whether it's good news, not so good news, unconfirmed/anonymous rumors, or even longwinded and continual bragging from fans of teams that have fared much better than our own. (zzzZzzZ)

You're blog is such a valuable resource!

I see that the Seawolves site finally put some new news on it (upcoming schedule) but I can't wait to see the coach when he and his crew start hosting the kid's hockey camps in early July! He's such a blast to sit down and talk to and the camps (while they're a bit tougher than other local programs) are great for our future little hockey stars! ;-)

Thank you again for taking the time to maintain this awesome blog Donald! xoxoxo

Larissa (aka BillyBob) haha!

Anonymous said...

you're = should have been "your"

sheez louise!

Larissa

Donald Dunlop said...

Larissa:
Hey ... at least you usually sign your comments. The registration thing isn't necessary. It's just easier to keep track of who is talking to who if people put some sort of identifying thingy in their comment.

Anonymous said...

fear of god clothing
golden goose
kyrie shoes
fear of god clothing
curry 6
birkin bag
kd shoes
hermes outlet
spongebob kyrie 5
off white

Post a Comment