What would a new basketball arena cost?

[CajunJack55]

It seats 5000. The Montagne Center at Lamar seats 10,000 and is the best arena for a "mid-major" program that I have ever been in.

I think something around 8,000 would be ideal.

McNeese has a new on campus arena in the works..seats 4,000 but no idea what it's going to cost them. We would need something bigger obviously.

[cajunfan337]

What we need is something like UT-Arlington's College Park Center & District. $78 Mil (which we could probably do for 50 because theirs is COMPLETELY decked out) 7K seat Arena. It also ties into a "District" area that has student apartments, hotels, restaurants & bars, shopping. This concept is legit.

Arena:


District:
http://www.uta.edu/collegeparkdistrict/

[CajunJack55]

What we need is something like UT-Arlington's College Park Center & District. $78 Mil (which we could probably do for 50 because theirs is COMPLETELY decked out) 7K seat Arena. It also ties into a "District" area that has student apartments, hotels, restaurants & bars, shopping. This concept is legit.

Arena:


District:
http://www.uta.edu/collegeparkdistrict/

It is very nice. I went to a safety class on their campus last year. They also have a sports bar and grill right across the arena on campus (not sure how they get away with that.) I met their head coach and a couple of players while eating there. They were very happy to be in the Sunbelt and had great things to say about our program.

[MelRock]

The remodel of the Cajundome will help more than just basketball and will be well worth the money if it is completed. Some of it has already been pushed back. It is time for the Ice Gators to move on or to move into Blackham, it is never good to have ice under a basketball court.

[ManAboutTown]

The remodel of the Cajundome will help more than just basketball and will be well worth the money if it is completed. Some of it has already been pushed back. It is time for the Ice Gators to move on or to move into Blackham, it is never good to have ice under a basketball court.

Exactly. The Cajundome is an ideal place. The Icegators need to go to a remodeled Blackham and let the CD get the facelift it needs.

[CajunAmos]

I'd like to see the area Blackham is currently on eventually become maybe expanded student housing or multi-use business/housing similar to what was proposed for the area on the side of University Medical. The only thing I think Blackham is currently used for is rodeos or horticulture shows. It's basically already on the transportation routes, and would still be on the routes if/when they add the Lourdes property. JMO

[reddot]

Has the Cajun Dome secured approval from the state bonding commission to move forward with the improvements?

[MelRock]

Has the Cajun Dome secured approval from the state bonding commission to move forward with the improvements?

Yes, the problem is just like everything else the bids have come back hire than what were estimated.

[CajunRebel]

Exactly. The Cajundome is an ideal place. The Icegators need to go to a remodeled Blackham and let the CD get the facelift it needs.

If it's designed right, and it should be, the new layout would be able to accommodate hockey without terrible basketball seating. It can be done.

[ImperialCajun]

Well, I know that this is all wishful thinking. But we need an improved Tigue before any of this. But to play along, I would like to say that if you have a 5000 seat arena, then tickets are always at a premium and you can charge more per seat. Under Marlin we will continue to improve, but for any team in the country to fill a 13000 seat arena every home game is asking way to much. This could be solved by eliminating the use of the upper section. Also, block off use of second level endzone until the rest is sold out.
This would create the premium needed to generate season ticket sales and raise the cost per seat. If you by season tickets than you are more likely to attend and use your tickets.