Construction Cam APC ( Athletic Performance Complex )

[HelmutVII]

I had the fortune of being able to tour the APF for the first time today. The inside is still a lot of sheet rock. But all I can say is Wow as far as what it's going to be when it's done.

Coaches offices and video offices are all on the second floor. Interesting that there is a room across from each coach's office that is a meeting room for his position. For instance there is a wide receiver meeting room right across from Coach Munoz office. The layout is pretty incredible. There is a separate room for NFL scouts to go in and watch video of players.

What impresses me on the first floor is, first of all, the weight room. Holy crap. It's huge. The training area has a hydrotherapy area that some NFL teams would love to have. The locker room is "big time." And the visiting locker room is quite a bit bigger than the home locker room is now. Lynn will be very excited with the size of the equipment room.

The place is huge. It's right at 100K square feet. The new 150 seat auditorium will look awesome.

I think what impressed me the most, though, is the layout. Everything is located where it is for a reason. There's a method to the madness and NOTHING in that building is located "just because."

It should also be noted that the athletic department and sports information offices will NOT be in that building. THis is all about the student-athlete (for all sports) and the football coaches.

The portable buildings will be refurbished for the athletic department and media relations. Press conferences will be in the new auditorium.

I can guarantee you that virtually every G5 program in America will look at this and say "Damn, I wish we had something like that."

As a Cajun fan, if you can't be immensely proud of this facility, there's no appeasing you.

In addition I also got to see the latest architect blueprints on the new Tigue Moore Field. Remember those artist renderings that looked like Lamson Park, except bigger? Forget it.
Tony wanted so much to have things for the fan, he's putting the renovations to the clubhouse on the back burner so the money can be spent on the ball park itself. He says they'll raise the money later for the clubhouse.

This blueprint has Tony Robichaux's prints all over it. It's all about being fan friendly. And, the lead architect has been a part of most of the great college ball parks in America. I'm incredibly excited about what I saw.

And, I also saw a rendering of the new hitting facility for softball. I was under the impression they were raising $100,000 for it. Wrong. The facility is nearly $600,000 and they need 100K to finish the fundraising. It's going to be so nice that Mike can raise the indoor cages and hold infield practice with 1B, 2B SS and 3B taken care of. It's very impressive.

I;m going to do a blog on it. It's been a long time since I've been this impressed with something the University is doing.

I was going to call your show today to ask if you had been able to tour the facility.

[BirdofParadise]

So BOP, they moved the visitor's locker room into the APC? I know at first it wasn't included in the plans. Maybe that's where the extra square feet comes from.

If that's done, they should be able to move pretty quickly on the Cox demolition.

They have to refurbish the portable buildings before they can move the athletic offices, compliance, sports info, etc. And, only then can they demolish the main building.

I'm hearing six months or so. But, like everything else, it could take a little longer.

[LaCajunsFan]

Thanks for the great update, BOP. Its especially nice to finally have an understanding of the 2nd floor layout.

And yes, the excitement of the Tigue renovations is almost palpable.

"As a Cajun fan, if you can't be immensely proud of this facility, there's no appeasing you."

[ULGrad@HOU]

Not only the pride and excitement of all these new upgrades but what it all holds for the future of UL Athletics and where we are headed.

[Cajunfanatico]

Can we convert the practice field to a rose garden so grandma will be impressed when she drives by?

[BirdofParadise]

I beg your pardon? I NEVER promised you a Rose Garden.

[HelmutVII]

Getting busy again this morning. I think we will see a tremendous difference on the site within a week. Looks like they will be rolling out sod on the practice field very soon and the large pile of dirt at the exit to the locker rooms will be gone before tomorrow ends.

[Turbine]

I beg your pardon? I NEVER promised you a Rose Garden.

Wow Lynn Anderson died a few days back.

By the way, more lyrics from the same song Along with the sunshine there's gotta be a little rain sometime

Isn't that the reason the IPF was built?

[HelmutVII]

They have picked a good day to roll out some turf grass on the practice field. We are about to get some good rain. Looks like they are about 30% or 40% done. It's hard to tell with the camera angle though.

[CajunAmos]

They have picked a good day to roll out some turf grass on the practice field. We are about to get some good rain. Looks like they are about 30% or 40% done. It's hard to tell with the camera angle though.

I'm really curious to see how they handle the main entry. It kind of looks like a canopy above the entrance, but it sure has a lot of steel in various lengths dropping down.

[Big Buds]

Wow Lynn Anderson died a few days back.

By the way, more lyrics from the same song Along with the sunshine there's gotta be a little rain sometime

Isn't that the reason the IPF was built?

Can you remember when they used to be forced to practice in the Cajun Dome?! Sounds crazy today.

[GeauxCajuns]

Can you remember when they used to be forced to practice in the Cajun Dome?! Sounds crazy today.

the barns at blackham were way worse than the convention center.