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

[cajun4life]

I do like the feel of many of the MLS stadiums that have been built recently. They also tend to be more cost conscious than say standard American football field designs. I've made a few trips to the Houston Dynamo field and really like the layout and seating. Take that design and build it right up against Congress with retail space facing the outside of the stadium. You could have food venues/ coffee shop and a Ragin Cajun store that could be utilized seven days a week and then have access on the inside of the stadium for game days. While your at it move the Cajun field bus stop here and protect it from the weather. Students would then be inclined to visit that retail space during their daily commutes to campus. Really want to get crazy? Build condominiums in one end zone. They would not have direct stadium access but with some extra large balconies would be a great place to watch a game from. The revenue from the condo's would basically pay for that endzone section. Add the revenue from retail locations and suites and this isn't so unrealistic anymore.

Exactly!!!! Look all across the world at 35,000-45,000 seat soccer venues. They are absolutely amazing and create a crazy atmosphere.

Gazniatep Turkey has a beautiful 36000 seat stadium. So does Poland and several other countries that were around $150M. I mean absolute gorgeous stadiums.

Take a cue from the MLS and build like they do.

[facelessjonmoon]

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

MTSU and UCF have total steel and aluminum erector set stadiums. They get the job done, but just look.and feel cheap.

[HelmutVII]

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.

One final thing. He did imply that LSU could do what they did because they are LSU. I'm afraid that's the way it is.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Houston's new stadium cost them $128M to build. We don't need to spend $250M. It also doesn't have to be huge. 35-40k seats would be ideal. I really like the designs of the smaller soccer stadiums across Europe. Or just take Tulanes design for the one side of the stadium that's actually a real stadium. Lol

There’s no part of TooLame stadium I’d want to encorporate at UL. That whole prefabricated facility is a joke and eyesore.

[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.