Upcoming Gampel Enchantments

[BryanCT]

If I remember right I think there was a plan years ago to add sky boxes but the fire marshal said no.

 

[CTBasketball]

Destroy it and build new.

But our state loves throwing 10-20M updates every 10 years at old infrastructure.

 

[StllH8L8ner]

Loge boxes in every corner incoming…

 

[Kolumbo]

Destroy it and build new.

But our state loves throwing 10-20M updates every 10 years at old infrastructure.

It's a bad building that for some incomprehensible reason some folks thought was a good idea at the time. It's a limited windowless cylinder. I agree, start from scratch and think big this time. And consult with the fire marshall beforehand.

 

[Waquoit]

Back to the drawing boards

Gov. Lamont says he’s open to borrowing millions to renovate Gampel Pavilion

The arena has not been renovated since 1990.

connecticut.news12.com

(h/t to @ZooCougar for the heads up link)

If you can’t stay non-partisan/non-political in your comments - just move on:

If the place hadn't been renovated since 1990, where did those seats in the upper corners come from?

 

[Hoopcrazee]

WTF IS THE WIFI?!

Cmon...what's wrong with Gampel 1G version of WIFI?

 

[gampelcrazies]

Destroy it and build new.

But our state loves throwing 10-20M updates every 10 years at old infrastructure.

Be careful what you wish for. After going to the new hockey arena I don’t trust them to build something nice/better. That place is lifeless.

Also knocking down Gampel would be a mistake because of the history we have had there.

$100 million should be enough to fix almost everything wrong with it

 

[Waquoit]

Be careful what you wish for. After going to the new hockey arena I don’t trust them to build something nice/better. That place is lifeless.

Just to make sure, who is them? We can't blame the state for that barn, can we?

 

[gampelcrazies]

Just to make sure, who is them? We can't blame the state for that barn, can we?

I blame all parties involved. And to be fair it’s probably a great venue/facility for the team. But it’s not great for fans.

 

[hardcorehusky]

I remember the initial drawings for Gampel in the early to mid 1980's. It was slightly bigger than the field house. The politicians wanted to make sure we had to use the Hartford Civic Center. 8000 seats which was 2x times the size of the field house and half the size of the HCC. It was doomed size wise before it was built due to Connecticut politics.

If they could find a way to build boxes, expand the concourses, offer more or better concessions, etc and do it for $100M, I will be surprised.

 

[Waquoit]

But it’s not great for fans.

I agree, it's horrible, tbh. But it's all on UConn, imo.

 

[CTBasketball]

Be careful what you wish for. After going to the new hockey arena I don’t trust them to build something nice/better. That place is lifeless.

Also knocking down Gampel would be a mistake because of the history we have had there.

$100 million should be enough to fix almost everything wrong with it

That’s a good point. Don’t want another catastrophe.

 

[uconnfan68]

Why waste money on new chairs and video board? Expand the concourse, everything else doesn't change anything.

Have you seen the roof? It would be an engineering nightmare to do any major expansion.

 

[Salty Dog]

Tearing down Gampel would be a TRAVESTY. The history, the championships - its iconic (at least to me). It would be a huge mistake. Expand it via the concourse and squeeze in a few extra (thousand?) seats, renovate it, but don't tear it down.

On a side note UNC is considering replacing or renovating the Dean Dome as well. Tearing that down would be a huge mistake too. You don't mess with history (just ask the Yankees)...

 

[UConnJim]

If you replace Gampel with a new building, it would allow you to rename the arena. Maybe somebody/company makes a big donation or buys the rights over a number of years. I think Gampel could get $2 million+ per year given both the men and women play games there even though they play games in the XL Center as well. They should put out feelers to see if there is interest in donating to a new arena before they decide to renovate.

 

[Kolumbo]

Well, you can't make the concrete silo any bigger, it is what it is. So expand upward. Then top it off with thunderdome.

 

[WrenchFan69]

I would think there’s room for serious concourse expansion on the side paralleling Jim Calhoun way. Move the athletic department offices into the renovated Guyer/field house or downstairs in Gampel. Not sure what you could do on the other side with the Natatorium over there. Wonder if the Golf team’s lounge could be made into boxes

 

[Hoophound]

I blame all parties involved. And to be fair it’s probably a great venue/facility for the team. But it’s not great for fans.

Why? I thought it seemed amazing for fans on paper, I haven’t been. I just felt it was too small which would make getting tickets tough.

 

[Deepster]

Another Taylor Swift reference, Iove it!

The Boneyard: making typos for mojo since 1996!

See? I knew you’d come around. No thanks needed.

 

[Inyatkin]

Gonna be an awesome venue for '50s high school dances

 

[scotty0330]

after the abomination of the hockey arena worried that a new arena would actually turn out worse than gampel. Whomever was in charge of that one should be no where near anything when it comes to basketball

 

[Palatine]

Instead of naming the court after a coach. Sell the naming rights but make the term only five years. It will recoup the enhancement expenses over a few cycles.

 

[huskyjawz]

after the abomination of the hockey arena worried that a new arena would actually turn out worse than gampel. Whomever was in charge of that one should be no where near anything when it comes to basketball

What's wrong with it? I've never been.

 

[Deepster]

What's wrong with it? I've never been.

I’ve been a bunch and think it’s great. Just because the season ticket holders don’t go doesn’t mean it isn’t a great barn.

 

[huskymedic]

What's wrong with it? I've never been.

It has some design/execution quirks but the major issue is it has had an underperforming men’s team that doesn’t generate enough excitement. Sound familiar? Win and they will come!

Toscano Family Ice Forum Impressions

I’ll start… Place is like the rent. Sold out yet empty seats and people standing on concourse. I just wish for the first game, everyone would sit in their seats. Place is a morgue, just like XL. No one stood during announcements or puck drop. 1st game? Come on Not really loud or intimidating...

the-boneyard.com