In looking at the renderings, it appears the 8 rows closest to the court along the sidelines are retractable to open it up to 2 practice courts.

 

 

 

I am referring to the existing wood accordion chairs. The current lower level gets gutted. Probably did not read John's post close enough.

Anyway hope this gets officially approved. Anyone want to take bets on where UC would play 1 season during construction?

 

 

 

Cincinnati Gardens. 

 

In looking at the renderings, it appears the 8 rows closest to the court along the sidelines are retractable to open it up to 2 practice courts.

 

 

 

I am referring to the existing wood accordion chairs. The current lower level gets gutted. Probably did not read John's post close enough.

Anyway hope this gets officially approved. Anyone want to take bets on where UC would play 1 season during construction?

 

 

 

Cincinnati Gardens. 

 

 

I hope you have no inside info

In looking at the renderings, it appears the 8 rows closest to the court along the sidelines are retractable to open it up to 2 practice courts.

 

I'm hoping "retractable" is just a misnomer. I'd imagine they would do something more similar to the Schottenstein Center where those sections are "Removable" (i.e. for concerts and ice hockey arrangements.).

In looking at the renderings, it appears the 8 rows closest to the court along the sidelines are retractable to open it up to 2 practice courts.

 

 

 

I am referring to the existing wood accordion chairs. The current lower level gets gutted. Probably did not read John's post close enough.

Anyway hope this gets officially approved. Anyone want to take bets on where UC would play 1 season during construction?

 

 

 

Cincinnati Gardens. 

 

 

I highly doubt they will play there. They looked at the Gardens to keep options open but I have to believe it will be played at US Bank or the NKU arena.

In looking at the renderings, it appears the 8 rows closest to the court along the sidelines are retractable to open it up to 2 practice courts.

 

 

 

They don't practice in the Shoe now when it opens up completely so I'm not sure why they would care about having practice courts in the future.

Someone probably uses it for practice (maybe the women's team and/or volleyball team)? 

Someone probably uses it for practice (maybe the women's team and/or volleyball team)? 

 

Fifth Third Arena has been the ultimate home court advantage for the Bearcats volleyball team. Since the arena's inception, the UC has produced a .760 winning percentage (212-67) in matches played at home, as well as a .823 winning percentage (130-28) in conference matches played at home.

 

Additionally, Fifth Third Arena has hosted 10 regular-season volleyball tournaments, one conference tournament and four nationally televised matches.

http://www.gobearcats.com/facilities/fifth-third-arena.html

Someone probably uses it for practice (maybe the women's team and/or volleyball team)?

 

I thought they also used the practice gyms. Could be wrong.

Play one year at the

Armory Fieldhouse

 

the wiki says it could hold 8k

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armory_Fieldhouse

 

http://www.gobearcats.com/genrel/071106aam.html

Can someone tell me how much smaller it will be?  Perhaps I can't read but I couldn't find that anywhere.  How many less seats?

Can someone tell me how much smaller it will be?  Perhaps I can't read but I couldn't find that anywhere.  How many less seats?

 

Current capacity is 13,176. Page 11 of the linked PDF states 10818 will be the new capacity.  2358 fewer seats.

Can someone tell me how much smaller it will be?  Perhaps I can't read but I couldn't find that anywhere.  How many less seats?

..

Can someone tell me how much smaller it will be?  Perhaps I can't read but I couldn't find that anywhere.  How many less seats?

 

Current capacity is 13,176. Page 11 of the linked PDF states 10818 will be the new capacity.  2358 fewer seats.

 

Thanks, somehow I missed that!

UC set to reveal plans for Fifth Third Arena renovation

Jul 8, 2015, 6:49am EDT

Steve Watkins

Cincinnati Business Courier

 

The University of Cincinnati plans to publicly reveal details of its planned massive renovation of Fifth Third Arena later this month.

 

UC project manager Barrett Bamberger and Vince Terry, director of Columbus-based architecture firm Moody Nolan’s local operations, both told me UC is planning a kickoff in late July or early August that will feature updated renderings of what the potential $70 million project will look like.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/07/08/uc-set-to-reveal-plans-for-fifth-third-arena.html

Very good news about Fifth Third Arena.  It became out-dated the day after it was constructed.  Less seats won't matter at all as long as everything gets upgraded.  People don't realize it's quite larger than most college basketball stadiums.  Hell, Cameron Indoor Stadium for Duke only seats 9,314.

Very good news about Fifth Third Arena.  It became out-dated the day after it was constructed.  Less seats won't matter at all as long as everything gets upgraded.  People don't realize it's quite larger than most college basketball stadiums.  Hell, Cameron Indoor Stadium for Duke only seats 9,314.

 

Duke also only has a total enrollment of less than 15,000. I don't think it's a deal breaker, but I would have preferred to keep it close to current capacity. But I also understand that wasn't possible if they were going to upgrade the seating and add all the other amenities.

 

I wonder if the future Shoe will be able to host NCAA tournament games?

I hope so! ^

^^ Very unlikely.  The smallest arena to host any NCAA games in 2015 was UD Arena, which is 13,450 or so, and it hosted the First Four.  Every other first- and second-round arena was a pro arena or very large college arena (Yum! Center (Louisville) and Century Link (Creighton)).  I haven't looked at all of those capacities, but I would bet that everything hosting had at least 17,000+ seats. 

 

I don't think that a 10,000 seat arena is in the mix to host NCAA games.  For example, Cintas Center has never (to my knowledge) even been mentioned as a potential host, despite being very modern, high tech, and a great place to see a game.  It holds 10,250. 

^^ Very unlikely.  The smallest arena to host any NCAA games in 2015 was UD Arena, which is 13,450 or so, and it hosted the First Four.  Every other first- and second-round arena was a pro arena or very large college arena (Yum! Center (Louisville) and Century Link (Creighton)).  I haven't looked at all of those capacities, but I would bet that everything hosting had at least 17,000+ seats. 

 

I don't think that a 10,000 seat arena is in the mix to host NCAA games.  For example, Cintas Center has never (to my knowledge) even been mentioned as a potential host, despite being very modern, high tech, and a great place to see a game.  It holds 10,250. 

 

Not sure there is a rule but no way.  NCAA wants the biggest non-domes for all rounds before the F4.

I am a little biased on this as a Xavier grad (and season ticket holder), but I do have a graduate degree from UC and have been to quite a few games at the Shoe.  I hope they do this right, because the difference in gameday experience between the two venues is really stark.  The concourses, amenities, seating, and sightlines are so much better at the Cintas Center that it's almost hard to believe the two arenas were built within ten years of each other (or 9, whatever it was).  And since UC's attendance has settled in that 8000-9000 range after Huggins left, it makes sense to bring it down to a number like 10,800.  It will still provide a home court advantage (perhaps even more of a home court advantage because it will be fuller percentage wise). 

 

By the way, if UC gets the chance to play a season at the Gardens, I hope they do it.  I love games at the Cintas Center, but Xavier played at the Gardens when I was there (graduated just before Cintas opened), and it is a truly great atmosphere.  Sure, the gameday experience is a throwback (to put it charitably) but man, that place got loud. 

I went to one Cyclones game after they moved out of the Gardens and I was done with them.  The Gardens was an awesome venue for any rowdy event. 

I am a little biased on this as a Xavier grad (and season ticket holder), but I do have a graduate degree from UC and have been to quite a few games at the Shoe.  I hope they do this right, because the difference in gameday experience between the two venues is really stark.

I am a little biased on this as a Xavier grad (and season ticket holder), but I do have a graduate degree from UC and have been to quite a few games at the Shoe.  I hope they do this right, because the difference in gameday experience between the two venues is really stark.  The concourses, amenities, seating, and sightlines are so much better at the Cintas Center that it's almost hard to believe the two arenas were built within ten years of each other (or 9, whatever it was).  And since UC's attendance has settled in that 8000-9000 range after Huggins left, it makes sense to bring it down to a number like 10,800.  It will still provide a home court advantage (perhaps even more of a home court advantage because it will be fuller percentage wise). 

 

By the way, if UC gets the chance to play a season at the Gardens, I hope they do it.  I love games at the Cintas Center, but Xavier played at the Gardens when I was there (graduated just before Cintas opened), and it is a truly great atmosphere.  Sure, the gameday experience is a throwback (to put it charitably) but man, that place got loud. 

that it's almost hard to believe the two arenas were built within ten years of each other (or 9, whatever it was).  And since UC's attendance has settled in that 8000-9000 range after Huggins left, it makes sense to bring it down to a number like 10,800.  It will still provide a home court advantage (perhaps even more of a home court advantage because it will be fuller percentage wise). 

 

By the way, if UC gets the chance to play a season at the Gardens, I hope they do it.  I love games at the Cintas Center, but Xavier played at the Gardens when I was there (graduated just before Cintas opened), and it is a truly great atmosphere.  Sure, the gameday experience is a throwback (to put it charitably) but man, that place got loud. 

 

5/3 looks stark compared to most arenas because it isn't an arena. It is a multi purpose facility. The reason it was built as it stands now is that UC

got money from the state, and they had to build a multi purpose facility not a dedicated arena. I hope UC plays downtown while the renovation is in

progress.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/university-of-cincinnati/2015/07/17/uc-close--approving-fifth-third-arena-renovations/30286575/

 

Looks so much better than the ugly block we have to look at now

Nippert Construction Update

 

I went to one Cyclones game after they moved out of the Gardens and I was done with them.  The Gardens was an awesome venue for any rowdy event. 

 

Monster trucks were great at the Cincinnati Gardens. I think they moved those to the Bank of Kentucky Center since the trucks could barely fit through the door. The old Chicago International Amphitheater was good for that too since there were several times the trucks couldn't stop and they smashed through an brick wall inside.

I saw WWF wrestling at the Gardens when DOINK was the top of the card.  They didn't come close to selling out.  What a pathetic night!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAqDNsTpq5c

Oh god, wrestling's dark days were from late '92 to mid-1997.

Oh god, wrestling's dark days were from late '92 to mid-1997.

 

That might have been during the "Hollywood Hogan" rebranding.  In the 80s Vince McMahon was selling out two arenas a week on opposite sides of the country.  I don't think he got back to that until the late 90s with RAW.  Part of that was the rise of The Rock, who was a compelling new figurehead for the sport.  In short everything Doink (and Dink) could never be.  And there was actually a period when Doink was being promoted as a Top 5 WWF wrester.  The evolution of televised wrestling during that period was pretty amazing.  In the 70s and very early 80s wrestling came on at midnight on Saturday nights.  Then it switched to Saturday morning cartoons.  Then it switched to weeknights in the 90s.  Each time it attracted a somewhat different fan base. 

 

To my knowledge neither the Shoe nor Nippert Stadium have ever hosted anything especially unusual.  Shoemaker had a few concerts, but I don't think Nippert ever did.  It did host The Bengals for two years in the late 60s, but it never had a Jimmy Swaggert or Billy Graham event or motocross or any of that.  That said, Nipper would be a really fantastic stadium for a stadium rock tour since the stands are so much closer than most other stadiums.  But the capacity isn't there to make the numbers work for a "stadium" show, since setting up a stage and PA for a stadium tour is *much* more expensive than an arena tour.  An arena tour only needs one stage set and one crew whereas a stadium tour needs two identical stages and crews that leapfrog one another.  For example, on the recent Rolling Stones tour, one crew was tearing down the show in Nashville while the other one was setting up the show in Milwaukee.   

 

 

 

 

The stadium has served as a concert venue only once, on August 3, 1975 hosting The Ohio River Rock Festival (Aerosmith, Black Oak Arkansas, Blue Öyster Cult, Foghat, Mahogany Rush, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, REO Speedwagon, and Styx; admission was festival seating/general admission, attendance 32,000 est. according to local radio broadcasts).

 

Betcha whole lotta weed got smoked at this one. FWIW I saw John Cougar and maybe The Kinks at the Armory Fieldhouse, 80-81?

 

Nippert would be an excellent concert venue.

If UC hosted an annual music festival then they could host a pretty big all-day event with a few performers at Nippert.  It would be a fun thing to do in May 2-3 weeks before exams.  For about the same sum these universities pay commencement speakers they could bring in pretty big national acts and people would actually remember it. 

 

^I doubt they would get anyone you like

I don't care who they book, just don't let one governing body pick everyone.  Make the lineup as ridiculous as possible.  A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of simple minds. 

 

A big problem with stadium shows is that there are no vendors or restroom facilities set up for crowds on the field.  So one of the big expenses of staging a stadium show is providing those facilities.  In the 70s when there were no rules, there was total chaos at most concerts since there was no incentive for promoters to run a civilized event after they had already pocketed your money.  But once sufficient laws/ordinances were put in place, the profitability of stadium shows (and festival seating at arena shows) as well as shows at race tracks and other improvised venues was diminished. 

It would be fun.  They have to be careful though.  Fans are usually products of the musicians they follow.  We don't need another Fountain Square incident right on campus.  I think it would be cool to showcase all local talent.

EXCLUSIVE: UC details arena renovation timeline, seating plans

Aug 13, 2015, 3:04pm EDT 

Steve Watkins  Staff ReporterCincinnati Business Courier   

 

 

The University of Cincinnati has provided more details of its planned $70 million renovation of Fifth Third Arena in documents that it made available to the Courier.

 

A PowerPoint presentation UC created in June with plans from architectural firms Populous and Moody-Nolan shows that the university plans to start construction in May 2016 and be ready to reopen the on-campus facility in October 2017. UC made the presentation available following an open records request.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/08/13/exclusive-uc-details-arena-renovation-timeline.html

EXCLUSIVE: UC details arena renovation timeline, seating plans

Aug 13, 2015, 3:04pm EDT 

Steve Watkins  Staff ReporterCincinnati Business Courier   

 

 

The University of Cincinnati has provided more details of its planned $70 million renovation of Fifth Third Arena in documents that it made available to the Courier.

 

A PowerPoint presentation UC created in June with plans from architectural firms Populous and Moody-Nolan shows that the university plans to start construction in May 2016 and be ready to reopen the on-campus facility in October 2017. UC made the presentation available following an open records request.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/08/13/exclusive-uc-details-arena-renovation-timeline.html

 

Improvements look really nice, and long overdue

BORING.  This won't be a top tier venue at all after this.  They'd be better off moving to a newly renovated US Bank Arena if they want to be competitive with the big schools. This will be nice, especially since the current venue is really really bad, but it's a missed opportunity in my opinion.

I hope those ridiculous eyes aren't painted on the side of the building.  I burst out laughing every time I see that rendering.

BORING.  This won't be a top tier venue at all after this.  They'd be better off moving to a newly renovated US Bank Arena if they want to be competitive with the big schools. This will be nice, especially since the current venue is really really bad, but it's a missed opportunity in my opinion.

 

Moving College Basketball off the UC Campus would be a terrible idea IMO. Reducing capacity to help increase more view-friendly seating while staying on campus is ideal. The students simply won't travel downtown. Going to an 18k capacity arena is not what UC needs at this point in the game.

 

Just my two cents.

I hope those ridiculous eyes aren't painted on the side of the building.  I burst out laughing every time I see that rendering.

 

Those are render only. From what I've heard those won't see the light of day.

I hope those ridiculous eyes aren't painted on the side of the building.  I burst out laughing every time I see that rendering.

 

Those are render only. From what I've heard those won't see the light of day.

 

I see what you did there.

I hope those ridiculous eyes aren't painted on the side of the building.  I burst out laughing every time I see that rendering.

 

Those are render only. From what I've heard those won't see the light of day.

 

I see what you did there.

 

I thought I had heard they would be projected onto the building.  Now you see what he did there.  Haha!

BORING.  This won't be a top tier venue at all after this.  They'd be better off moving to a newly renovated US Bank Arena if they want to be competitive with the big schools. This will be nice, especially since the current venue is really really bad, but it's a missed opportunity in my opinion.

 

 

Moving College Basketball off the UC Campus would be a terrible idea IMO. Reducing capacity to help increase more view-friendly seating while staying on campus is ideal. The students simply won't travel downtown. Going to an 18k capacity arena is not what UC needs at this point in the game.

 

Just my two cents.

 

Louisville, UK, Georgetown, NC state, Marquette and many others have downtown arenas and have great student support. Shuttle buses, existing Metro, future streetcar extension, redbike, uber etc. and cars will all get students to and from. On the contrary many adults and families don't go to many on campus games because of what a hassle their stadium location is and how hard it is to get in and out (also perceptions of campus safety don't help). The riverfront is literally built for big events and moving people to and from.

Also I would rather see one great venue than one good on campus venue that can't hold big concerts or ncaa tournament games or special events, along with an aging venue on the riverfront that also can't host any of said events. If you/we take the fan perspective out and look at it from an objective point if view, one great venue that can hold everything and draw new events to town and host tourney games makes the most sense.

^ I agree with this. I think student attendance would probably be better against low profile opponents in an on campus arena than in an off campus one. However, I think a downtown arena might actually attract more fans of all ages for games against higher profile opponents like Louisville.

 

Personally (perhaps selfishly) as a not so young anymore alumni living in OTR I think I would be more likely to attend a game at a renovated US Bank arena than on campus. (Easier to get to, wouldn't feel like an old man, more likely to pick up some free tickets from friends just cause they know I live downtown and can use them easily.)

^ I agree with this. I think student attendance would probably be better against low profile opponents in an on campus arena than in an off campus one. However, I think a downtown arena might actually attract more fans of all ages for games against higher profile opponents like Louisville.

 

Personally (perhaps selfishly) as a not so young anymore alumni living in OTR I think I would be more likely to attend a game at a renovated US Bank arena than on campus. (Easier to get to, wouldn't feel like an old man, more likely to pick up some free tickets from friends just cause they know I live downtown and can use them easily.)

 

The student turn out at PBS for the season when the football team was down there was strong

BORING.  This won't be a top tier venue at all after this.  They'd be better off moving to a newly renovated US Bank Arena if they want to be competitive with the big schools. This will be nice, especially since the current venue is really really bad, but it's a missed opportunity in my opinion.

 

 

Moving College Basketball off the UC Campus would be a terrible idea IMO. Reducing capacity to help increase more view-friendly seating while staying on campus is ideal. The students simply won't travel downtown. Going to an 18k capacity arena is not what UC needs at this point in the game.

 

Just my two cents.

 

Louisville, UK, Georgetown, NC state, Marquette and many others have downtown arenas and have great student support. Shuttle buses, existing Metro, future streetcar extension, redbike, uber etc. and cars will all get students to and from. On the contrary many adults and families don't go to many on campus games because of what a hassle their stadium location is and how hard it is to get in and out (also perceptions of campus safety don't help). The riverfront is literally built for big events and moving people to and from.

Also I would rather see one great venue than one good on campus venue that can't hold big concerts or ncaa tournament games or special events, along with an aging venue on the riverfront that also can't host any of said events. If you/we take the fan perspective out and look at it from an objective point if view, one great venue that can hold everything and draw new events to town and host tourney games makes the most sense.

 

UK and Ville are blue bloods of college bball, of course they will draw really well, including students. Rupp is what less than a mile from UK. Same for the Bradley Center / Marquette. Gtown does not fill 50% of the Verizion Center on average. Most fans at UC games are of course adults. Families? I do not see families at college basketball games, at least on TV, they are events. The primary reason UC struggles with attendance for low major buy games is that the arena sucks,

congested common areas, lack of amenities. A renovation will fix that. If US Bank wants to make an offer UC can't refuse that is great, but I doubt they do that.

UC doesn't sell out because the team has sucked since Huggins left.  This is turning into the same old argument over Riverfront Stadium.  The Bengals were in the Superbowl in in 1989, the Reds won the world series in 1990, they would have won it again in 1994, they were in the NLCS in 1995, then suddenly they "couldn't win" in Riverfront Stadium.  Well both teams got new stadiums, neither have done jack squat in the ensuing 15 years, the Bengals were regularly having games blacked out for years, and nobody pays attention to Reds games at the Reds games.  People pay attention to the commotion between innings, then revert to checking their phones during the game. 

 

People loved Riverfront Stadium until they were told to hate it.  I'm nostalgic for it because there was nothing to do there other than watch the game.  Now people go to games, take photos of themselves looking like they're having fun, post them on Facebook, then are like a lizard sunning themselves on a rock as the likes come rolling in. 

/rant

I get why UC is doing this on campus, and it makes a lot of sense.  The bread and butter of college attendance for most schools are two things--students and alumni.  UC had a strong base of non-alumni fans in the Huggins years, but that base seems to have eroded a bit.  In basketball especially, you have to be a serious program to draw a ton of support from the general public and have what is essentially a pro-team type of following, and very few schools do that.  (UK and U of L are good examples.)  The right move is to provide the best possible gameday atmosphere, and provide an experience that is comparable to the other high-end college basketball experiences in the area.  And I don't mean timeout breaks, or halftime entertainment, or whatever--I mean good, comfortable seats with good sight lines; good beer and food choices; plentiful bathrooms; and nice concourses that you can actually move around on.  If UC can do that--no matter where it is--their attendance should improve and, more importantly, it will be a better experience for the fans who do attend. 

UC doesn't sell out because the team has sucked since Huggins left.  This is turning into the same old argument over Riverfront Stadium.  The Bengals were in the Superbowl in in 1989, the Reds won the world series in 1990, they would have won it again in 1994, they were in the NLCS in 1995, then suddenly they "couldn't win" in Riverfront Stadium.  Well both teams got new stadiums, neither have done jack squat in the ensuing 15 years, the Bengals were regularly having games blacked out for years, and nobody pays attention to Reds games at the Reds games.  People pay attention to the commotion between innings, then revert to checking their phones during the game. 

 

People loved Riverfront Stadium until they were told to hate it.  I'm nostalgic for it because there was nothing to do there other than watch the game.  Now people go to games, take photos of themselves looking like they're having fun, post them on Facebook, then are like a lizard sunning themselves on a rock as the likes come rolling in. 

 

You keep saying that the Reds would have won it all in 1994.  You should talk to Jonah Keri sometime about those 1994 Expos you keep dismissing.....

^ I agree with this. I think student attendance would probably be better against low profile opponents in an on campus arena than in an off campus one. However, I think a downtown arena might actually attract more fans of all ages for games against higher profile opponents like Louisville.

 

Personally (perhaps selfishly) as a not so young anymore alumni living in OTR I think I would be more likely to attend a game at a renovated US Bank arena than on campus. (Easier to get to, wouldn't feel like an old man, more likely to pick up some free tickets from friends just cause they know I live downtown and can use them easily.)

 

The student turn out at PBS for the season when the football team was down there was strong

 

First two games (maybe three) were strong. Game one was like 8,000. But it decreased every game after. Pretty sure by the end of the season, student attendance was in the 2,000-3,000 range. Which is really terrible by UC standards.