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

[cajun_lannister]

In my opinion, for various reasons, it needs to be around 40,000 but I certainly agree with you on that design. I don't think we will ever need a stadium bigger than 40,000 capacity.

I think 40K including 500-700 Luxury seats is perfect

[zephyr]

Temporary Tax. Like the airport. Get public support and interest. Bill it as the new jewel of Lafayette. People will flock to see what's new in town (especially in lafayette). While they're here, we'll treat them to some winning football. It's brilliant.

Also, start charging all the events here (Mardi Gras, Car Show, etc) what they need to be charged, and make more $$$ to pay for it.

As I mentioned earlier, I think that would be a major obstacle in this community. You've seen temporary taxes shot down in recent years that would benefit the public such as library taxes, drainage and government building improvements and schools. I think this is easier said than done in this area where there are a lot of conservatives who get real loud about no more taxes.

[MetryCajun]

I never understand the big stadium talk. As MAT correctly pointed out, attendance is down and will most likely follow college basketball with less and less attendance. The stadium needs to be as high end as possible with the number of seats kept as small as possible. Right now there is no demand for our product. If by some miracle we would get into a big time conference we should expand. Considering our historical attendance I would build something with 30 to 35k seats.
Also, a local tax is a non starter. We will have to raise this ourselves.

[CajunT]

As I mentioned earlier, I think that would be a major obstacle in this community. You've seen temporary taxes shot down in recent years that would benefit the public such as library taxes, drainage and government building improvements and schools. I think this is easier said than done in this area where there are a lot of conservatives who get real loud about no more taxes.

I don't think it's just conservatives, but also people that have been burned by tax initiatives that had language that allowed local government, or the school board to use the money for other purposes outside of it's stated intent.

You mentioned the library taxes failed, but there was no need to renew it when our government has built new libraries around the parish and remodel the main library downtown. Oh, by the way there is still $40 Mil in the account today. There was no purpose to renew the tax, unless it was local governments intention to use the funds for other purposes.

People don't trust our local government and the school board to use the funds for the original intent.

[CajunNation]

I never understand the big stadium talk. As MAT correctly pointed out, attendance is down and will most likely follow college basketball with less and less attendance. The stadium needs to be as high end as possible with the number of seats kept as small as possible. Right now there is no demand for our product. If by some miracle we would get into a big time conference we should expand. Considering our historical attendance I would build something with 30 to 35k seats.
Also, a local tax is a non starter. We will have to raise this ourselves.

If we are going to build anew, you don't short yourself on future growth. We've gotten 40k and close to 40k a few times. If you build a 30k stadium, it better be built in such a way that future expansion to 50k could easily be done. Some 30k designs presented here do not allow future expansion.

IMHO, you build a 40k with options for 50k down the road in case we do become the next Boise.

[Ragin9221]

Personally I say we rebuild the entire home side of Cajun Field. Also we get rid of the grass part, and put stands there. So we can keep the capacity at 30,000. We just will not use the Visitor Side until we can get the funds to complete it.

To me that is the really the only solution. I think the reason why we have to keep Cajun Field because it is easily expandable, we have already put money in the SEZ project, and we could renovate a structure that could be there for 100 yrs., and have a structure that is actually made of concrete.

[LaCajunsFan]

If we are going to build anew, you don't short yourself on future growth. We've gotten 40k and close to 40k a few times. If you build a 30k stadium, it better be built in such a way that future expansion to 50k could easily be done. Some 30k designs presented here do not allow future expansion.

IMHO, you build a 40k with options for 50k down the road in case we do become the next Boise.

I agree: 30-35 is too low. Shoot for 45-50, but with options to go as high as 65.

[CharlieK]

If we are going to build anew, you don't short yourself on future growth. We've gotten 40k and close to 40k a few times. If you build a 30k stadium, it better be built in such a way that future expansion to 50k could easily be done. Some 30k designs presented here do not allow future expansion.

IMHO, you build a 40k with options for 50k down the road in case we do become the next Boise.

Knock down the upper deck. Bowl the entire thing. Fix the areas of the lower bowl that are not to code. Build a press box/suite structure on the home side. Design it so that IF EVER NEEDED a second bowl ring can be created around the entire stadium.

[ULGrad@HOU]

You never build anything with a usage plan of 30+ years by looking at what is going on in a short time frame. The program is down now, that is not your gauge. With being in the sucky Sunbelt, and any excitement, Cajun Field has seen 36K, 38K, and over 41K. It is ridiculous and down right stupid to set your limit at 35-40K and not to expect surpassing that. You recently hired a staff, both administrative and coaches, with a success goal in mind. Make absolutely sure the facilities can support a growth in success, or why even try? Minimum, 40K - 50K.

[CajunAmos]

Knock down the upper deck. Bowl the entire thing. Fix the areas of the lower bowl that are not to code. Build a press box/suite structure on the home side. Design it so that IF EVER NEEDED a second bowl ring can be created around the entire stadium.

From some earlier comments, I don't think they could "fix" the lower bowl. I think the whole thing would have to be removed to the foundation and rebuilt. This may actually be more expensive than building a new structure. Helmut could probably comment on this.

[CharlieK]

From some earlier comments, I don't think they could "fix" the lower bowl. I think the whole thing would have to be removed to the foundation and rebuilt. This may actually be more expensive than building a new structure. Helmut could probably comment on this.

That would be fixing it, then.

I do not want an erector set monstrosity. If “fixing” ours is slightly more but we end up with a real concrete facility, that’s what we should do. Given ALL these discussions are predicated on having the money.

[CajunJeaux]

That would be fixing it, then.

I do not want an erector set monstrosity. If “fixing” ours is slightly more but we end up with a real concrete facility, that’s what we should do. Given ALL these discussions are predicated on having the money.

I agree with you...anyone here ever went to a game at Middle Tennessee??....terrible stadium...