Could the Ragin’ Cajuns be getting a new football stadium?

[CajunAmos]

I spoke to an Architect today and this is what he told me.

1)If you are making modifications to a building where the cost totals 50% or more of the cost of replacement you have to bring the entire structure up to current codes PROVIDED the Authority Having Jurisdiction over the project follows current codes. (Generally there are some exceptions to this however)

2) If the Authority Having Jurisdiction is the State of Louisiana then there regulatory authority is the State of Louisiana Facilities and Planning. They typically do not follow the fifty percent rule. HOWEVER, anything that is an addition to an existing building (like the SEZ or additions to Tiger Stadium) have to meet current codes ESPECIALLY Life Safety Code (NFPA 101 etc) and Handicapped accessibility . I am thinking the additions to Tiger stadium have separate means of egress because the means of egress for the older portion of the stadium did not meet code or capacity requirements for the additions. Similar situation for the SEZ for Cajun field. The SEZ project had to meet all requirements for Life Safety Code and Handicapped requirements and CURRENT BUILDING CODES. That's why the slope of the stadium in that section is different from the rest of the stadium.

Here comes the rub. Any renovation of Cajun Field (old section) is virtually impossible to bring to current codes because the stadium slope (and resulting step and aisle slope) and seat pitch requirements can't be met without total reconstruction. Big problem with aisle width and aisle handrails. Once concrete is in place it is not cast in stone but it's pretty damn close. The only thing that could possibly be done is to redo the press box and add some suites across the top. This could only be done provided somebody signs off on the supporting structure. This may or may not be a problem. We would pretty much have to leave the rest alone because that would involve total reconstruction which is not a viable option.

Thanks. Do you think replacing the west bowl and upper deck (and do the east bowl at a later time) could be done more cost effectively than building a new stadium? Would your opinion be due to the codes that we go from new?

[HelmutVII]

Thanks. Do you think replacing the west bowl and upper deck (and do the east bowl at a later time) could be done more cost effectively than building a new stadium? Would your opinion be due to the codes that we go from new?

Facing the reality of the situation there are two possible things I see being done.

1) Renovation of the existing press box and adding suites along the top of the stadium. They may be able to capture space under the upper deck for office space etc. this will help in the cost benefits ratio calculation in that the building would be used for more than just football and special events. This, I think would be the least expensive alternative.

2) Build a new press box on the East side with suites and seating. Add office space under the structure. Demolish existing west side upper deck.

Any thing else would just cost too much. That is my opinion and as Dirty Harry said "Opinions are like _____ holes. everybody has one."

[CajunAmos]

Facing the reality of the situation there are two possible things I see being done.

1) Renovation of the existing press box and adding suites along the top of the stadium. They may be able to capture space under the upper deck for office space etc. this will help in the cost benefits ratio calculation in that the building would be used for more than just football and special events. This, I think would be the least expensive alternative.

2) Build a new press box on the East side with suites and seating. Add office space under the structure. Demolish existing west side upper deck.

Any thing else would just cost too much. That is my opinion and as Dirty Harry said "Opinions are like _____ holes. everybody has one."

So option 1 would use the existing structure to support the additions?

I wouldn't want to sell the suites for option 2 unless you could guarantee all night games. I wouldn't want to be looking into an afternoon sun on Saturday afternoons, but that's just me (not that I could afford one anyway).

[HelmutVII]

So option 1 would use the existing structure to support the additions?

I wouldn't want to sell the suites for option 2 unless you could guarantee all night games. I wouldn't want to be looking into an afternoon sun on Saturday afternoons, but that's just me (not that I could afford one anyway).

Existing structure retained provided it is found to be structurally sound.

The sun is why they put the press box on the west side.

[Bankruptcyman]

Could we build a stand alone pressbox structure on the west side and demolish the current pressbox?

[Ragin9221]

Think all these options are better than trying to build a new stadium.

It seems weird that if we are making improvements, that tearing down the upper deck and putting it up to code, with new press box and suites would not be allowed, but building the press box and suites on top of the existing structure as long it is structurally sound is allowed?

[cajun4life]

Well think all of these options is better than trying to build a new stadium.

No way! We should absolutely build a new stadium that is very close in design to BVAA in Houston. Something that is very unique and incorporates the atmosphere of euro soccer by design.

[Ragin9221]

No way! We should absolutely build a new stadium that is very close in design to BVAA in Houston. Something that is very unique and incorporates the atmosphere of euro soccer by design.

Stadium can seat only 22,000 at 101 million. I know you saying we might be able to get away with a 30,000 seat stadium with the same design, but doesn’t leave room to be able to expand.

[HelmutVII]

Think all these options are better than trying to build a new stadium.

It seems weird that if we are making improvements, that tearing down the upper deck and putting it up to code, with new press box and suites would not be allowed, but building the press box and suites on top of the existing structure as long it is structurally sound is allowed?

Tear down and rebuild is an option. the question was what was cheaper. build new on east side or renovate the existing west side.

[HOUCajun]

No way! We should absolutely build a new stadium that is very close in design to BVAA in Houston. Something that is very unique and incorporates the atmosphere of euro soccer by design.

Wouldn’t moving the stadium render the locker room in the apc useless? It’s already pretty far from Cajun field