Long Range Plans for Stadium Expansion

[Plantation Gator]

Are there any long range plans to expand the stadium?

What is the official capacity of the stadium anyway? 88,000?

90 to 92,00 sounds like a good number.

[I Have No Friends :(]

Let's work on getting it filled again first before thinking about expansion.

[gardnerwebbalumnigator]

Let's work on getting it filled again first before thinking about expansion.

+1. Although I read awhile back where UF engineers said it would be next to impossible to fill in the two gaps in the north end, so it might be a moot discussion.

[law98gator]

Gotta wonder who the morons were that designed that.

[GulfG8r]

Leave the stadium alone. It's awesome just as it is.

[Plantation Gator]

I am a little concerned that FSU could pass us by and we could become a smaller venue SEC stadium in the long range.

[gatorbait86]

Gotta wonder who the morons were that designed that.

Don't remember the names off the top of my head (and a quick glance at Wikipedia didn't help), but when designing the current stadium architecture, including the four walls, the Dean of the College of Music was brought in to work with the engineers on the acoustics of the stadium; specifically, the shape of a normal "bowl" stadium lends itself that when the crowd shouts noise down to the field, the noise on the field is at a steady hum going down to the field, then back out; with The Swamp's irregular architecture (e.g. the four corner walls and North Endzone), sound goes down to the field, but when it comes back up, instead of going out, it hits the extended areas, such as the walls, then bounces back down to the field, and repeats. The effect is instead of a steady hum, it is a vibrating, irregular sound that can cause disorientation and confusion when being heard. Couple that with the close proximity of fans to the field (in a sense that they are towering over the field and not falling back as in a bowl shape) is supposed to add visual disorientation to the audio...

[Mr. Eko]

I believe Foley said there is no plans to expand the stadium. At capacity it seats 92,000+. It is also one of the few stadiums which has foundations below sea-level which also makes for more noise.

I also agree UF should come up with ways to fill it's stands. Obviouslly, a winning football team helps!! But the city of Ganesville could do more. Home games are only 7 times a year. Residents can't let people park their cars for games on their property without a licence now. Have more to do (events) after non-conference games.

UF appeared on TV 11 out of 12 games, and people have pointed out how much going to games costs. That matters. I watched the SEC Championship game at Crawford Ker's Wing-House on Archer Rd. here in Gainesville and had a GREAT time. It's a tough fight.

I certainly think UF should abolish the law that says students cant sell student tickets and please allow students to sell their tickets cheap to fans on Gameday to fans who want to go to the games.

There is lot's to be done before UF even thinks about expanding the stadium for 2,000 more seats.

[RowdyReptile]

I am a little concerned that FSU could pass us by and we could become a smaller venue SEC stadium in the long range.

Does this keep you up nights?

[Double Gator Dad]

I am a little concerned that FSU could pass us by and we could become a smaller venue SEC stadium in the long range.

FSU averaged about 55,000 for their home games the last few years. I doubt they will be able to beg the legislature for more money to add onto a stadium they can't fill.

Although anything is possible with government these days especially when the need is framed up as the needy, poor little sister program that doesn't have as much money and it would be the "fair" thing to do to give them the funds.

Sound like anything else going on in this country today????

[cuuf]

They are getting ready to make 50mill in improvements to the O'Dome (wayyyyy overdue). Now they just need to rebuild McKethan before they talk about doing anything else to the stadium.

[Deuce Coupe]

I would rather spend the money on an All Weather Practice Facility.

Seating capacity is fine at 90,000+

[BMF]

They are getting ready to make 50mill in improvements to the O'Dome (wayyyyy overdue). Now they just need to rebuild McKethan before they talk about doing anything else to the stadium.

Agreed. The baseball stadium needs a complete overhaul!

I can't believe anyone would suggest adding seats to BHG when it's not even being filled as it is. It's called "supply & demand"....HELLO!

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[Mr. Eko]

I would rather spend the money on an All Weather Practice Facility.

Seating capacity is fine at 90,000+

There is NO place to put it but underground, and the cost would be stagering.

[SavannahGator]

I believe Foley said there is no plans to expand the stadium. At capacity it seats 92,000+. It is also one of the few stadiums which has foundations below sea-level which also makes for more noise.

I also agree UF should come up with ways to fill it's stands. Obviouslly, a winning football team helps!! But the city of Ganesville could do more. Home games are only 7 times a year. Residents can't let people park their cars for games on their property without a licence now. Have more to do (events) after non-conference games.

UF appeared on TV 11 out of 12 games, and people have pointed out how much going to games costs. That matters. I watched the SEC Championship game at Crawford Ker's Wing-House on Archer Rd. here in Gainesville and had a GREAT time. It's a tough fight.

I certainly think UF should abolish the law that says students cant sell student tickets and please allow students to sell their tickets cheap to fans on Gameday to fans who want to go to the games.

There is lot's to be done before UF even thinks about expanding the stadium for 2,000 more seats.

I'm not sure what source you're using for the 92,000+ figure, but on Gatorzone.com, http://www.gatorzone.com/facilities/?venue=swamp&sport=footb the record is 90,907 against the Clowns for Timmy's last game at home. So we've never even cleared 91,000..

As for Foley's comments - that's true. As a Gator Club officer, I've attended the annual Gator Club Leaders' Weekend many times at UF, and he's always a guest speaker. Invariably, this question seems to always come up. And each time, he says it's not possible, from an architectural viewpoint. And looking at the stadium as it is I just don't see how it can be expanded. That being said, UF spent a whole lotta $$$ improving the concession area in under the West stands this past year.

[Gator Fever]

With attendance lately it is alright where it is.

[gatormark]

I would rather spend the money on an All Weather Practice Facility.

Seating capacity is fine at 90,000+

DING DING DING Thats the best idea yet, get a indoor practice facility,programs with half our class have these.

[Class of '78]

We're probably 13k short of the largest college stadium capacity in America, so I see that as a relatively minor issue.

Question I have is, is there demand for more luxury suite square footage at Florida Field? I don't know, which is why I am asking.

[Amazin1]

all weather practice facility? really? how soft have we become? that is one of our strong points...we're used to the weather here and other teams aren't...just ask lsu...lol. that is a bad idea in my opinion...

[rogdochar]

A row of affordable top-mounted sleepover/kitchenette suites would
increase attendance for late games and increase student interest in
shagging a game or two.. and advance their education too. Throw in
a few game-view drunk-tank cages and we'd cut down DUI dangers.
Now that would get Gators & their Swamp some high publicity.