#RenovateBlackham

[CajunNation]

This is a good discussion guys. Valid points are being raised. Let's focus on explanations and solutions. It's not personal, just business.

[LouisianaB]

Go to a basketball game, pay your ticket online through TicketMaster, and buy beer and some concessions while you're there. And that's if the game is scheduled on the original date it was meant for in case of a Mardi Gras Ball. Your total cost should tell you all you need to know on fiscal responsibility of the Cajundome.

But what contract? With Ticketmaster and CD? Or with CD and UL athletics?

Ticket fees and concessions are unacceptable. But what will make them better at a renovated Blackham?

[CajunNation]

I've never been one for amenities. If you're there for the game, a lot of that stuff is just noise. I've always believed that a good college basketball venue is one that can be hosed off fairly easily, the opposing team fears for their lives, and the beer is plentiful and cheap.

[cjr3888]

This is a good discussion guys. Valid points are being raised. Let's focus on explanations and solutions. It's not personal, just business.

There’s only one person who gets personal every time someone has a different point of view.

[zeppelincajun]

6e. It was renovated to provide better atmosphere, which I think was accomplished. Still not good. But better. But there’s absolutely no guarantee Blackham will be better.

Which part of the atmosphere do you think has been improved in the new CD? I’ve been going to games my whole life (primarily Evans-present), and I can never recall things in the CD being flatter than they are right now. Not that that has to do with the renovations as much as it is just apathy towards the program.

[LouisianaB]

Which part of the atmosphere do you think has been improved in the new CD? I’ve been going to games my whole life (primarily Evans-present), and I can never recall things in the CD being flatter than they are right now. Not that that has to do with the renovations as much as it is just apathy towards the program.

Darker, more light in court, closer, etc. I’m not saying it’s good by any stretch. But I don’t see spending millions on renovating a really old building helping that much.

Now if we want to talk about an actual basketball arena, cool. Think that would be more cost effective and a better investment than renovating a deteriorating structure.

[LouisianaB]

Which part of the atmosphere do you think has been improved in the new CD? I’ve been going to games my whole life (primarily Evans-present), and I can never recall things in the CD being flatter than they are right now. Not that that has to do with the renovations as much as it is just apathy towards the program.

Overall, I think it has more of a basketball arena feel. I think thag comment has been said on here since the Reno was done.

[JMV JustMyView]

There’s only one person who gets personal every time someone has a different point of view.

Is that why folks get personal and sling insults to me because I give Just My View?

[Turbine]

At Blackham (for seating) a structural overlay of each row (Stucco Crete pour) that gives each row more depth, for chair backs and ultimately has seating going down into a court sized pit should be looked into.

Since chair backs are such a huge portion of restructuring costs, reinstall the benches (even though the rows could now accommodate chairbacks) and let Blackham pay for itself on future upgrades.

Keep seating to whatever fits.

ps Can't do posts should never precede let's try this idea

[Turbine]

A series of wide strategic tunnels to an outside ring of action for things like food venues should be looked into.

[Cajunsmike]

1) This isn't about me. But you and morons like CJR always try to make it about me.
2) We're back to "We can't raise the money so why even try."
3) Being a licensed contractor means absolutely nothing. If you knew anything about the industry, you'd know that. There are way more incompetent GCs than there aren't.
4) "Completely illogical super fans" don't spend almost 20 years dumping money, time and effort into promoting this program and finding solutions. Insecure ____s like you try to make these things personal because you want to be the smartest guy in the room and ever since you started rubbing elbows with Walker and the like, you've become even more insufferable.
5) Until you mouth breathers show me data, you know absolutely nothing. I will hold out hope that there is legitimate alternative to the awful, money hemorrhaging relationship with the CD.
6) It isn't a good building when it remains empty, controls schedule, stops us from making money off of ad revenue, gives us ____ for concessions at costs that chase away fans and is not suitable for a college basketball atmosphere. Every time those doors open, we are losing money. That isn't "a good building." It's a freaking noose.

We also have to pay when we want to practice there during the off season. It does cost to move the floor on and off and to turn on the lights.

[zeppelincajun]

Overall, I think it has more of a basketball arena feel. I think thag comment has been said on here since the Reno was done.

That’s fair enough. I don’t see much added benefit from the renovations done, but a good portion of that has to do with the venue just being 2x-3x bigger than anything we will ever need. I keeping harping on the Legacy Center point, but I think it’s worth anyone’s time who wants to see what the vision IMO should be to attend a game there. Intimate and steep with a modern look. I would take that over the oval of Blackham any day for basketball atmosphere. Nothing more than 5,000 seats. I don’t see this being anything in the immediate future or even next decade, but it would be nice to see a strategic vision for the future and an acknowledgement that improvements are needed.