Future of City Stadium

swimmer

swimmer

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Saw this article in the RTD discussing the future of City Stadium

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/sports ... 02/274102/

In summary, once UR vacates playing football there, there is still strong interest by other entities to continue to use the facility. Apparently the City of Richmond does not have a long term vision on how to redevelop the property, so having it remain as a football/soccer facility is ok with the city.

So, if the current AD and new school president want to pursue football, then this is the facility they need to consider. I know there is a wide spectrum of opinion and passion among us who either wants or does not want football at VCU, but this is one intangible they may sway the school's desire to consider the option.

Hey, its the dog days of summer.
 
I have mixed feelings about VCU football being at Univ of Richmond's old stadium. First its seemly not good enough for U of R because their leaving. Second, it would need some renovation to adjust to VCU's population. The stadium may hold a good 22,000 but between VCU alumni, football fans, and students it might have to be expanded. Of course it would be the stadium's chance to have a actual sold out crowd or close to it at least.
 
RRR said:
I have mixed feelings about VCU football being at Univ of Richmond's old stadium. First its seemly not good enough for U of R because their leaving. Second, it would need some renovation to adjust to VCU's population. The stadium may hold a good 22,000 but between VCU alumni, football fans, and students it might have to be expanded. Of course it would be the stadium's chance to have a actual sold out crowd or close to it at least.
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Are you on dope or something? We might sell out the first few games if that. For the first few seasons at thee very least, VCU would be abysmal at football so there is no way we'd get 22,000 people in that stadium. Its the perfect size (terrible layout IMO, but a good size) for a D1AA program. But it would be a long, long time before we'd have to worry about space in that stadium.

That being said, I would love to see football happen here.
 
Deep down, I would like to see football added. The City Stadium would be a viable option, but it would require massive rehabilitation. That said, it today's economic climate, getting a football program started and comply with Title IX will make it a steep hill to climb.

Another option would be to acquire the stadium, level the entire area and put in our own baseball stadium, maybe a softball field for a women's team, soccer/track field and some other practice fields. Put in a modern indoor/outdoor tennis facility at the nearby Byrd Park where the current tennis courts are located. This is will allow the school to modernize it facilities and have them a little closer to the Monroe Campus. Plus the city of Richmond would not be giving up any more taxable land. Then they could redevelop the Diamond/Boulevard area with a commercial/retail/housing area that would generate taxes for the city. It could be a win/win for everyone. Just an opinion.
 
I don't think football will happen because VCU is not willing to sink the money into it, especially not now.
 
Nowhereman said:
RRR said:
I have mixed feelings about VCU football being at Univ of Richmond's old stadium. First its seemly not good enough for U of R because their leaving. Second, it would need some renovation to adjust to VCU's population. The stadium may hold a good 22,000 but between VCU alumni, football fans, and students it might have to be expanded. Of course it would be the stadium's chance to have a actual sold out crowd or close to it at least.
Click to expand...

Are you on dope or something? We might sell out the first few games if that. For the first few seasons at thee very least, VCU would be abysmal at football so there is no way we'd get 22,000 people in that stadium. Its the perfect size (terrible layout IMO, but a good size) for a D1AA program. But it would be a long, long time before we'd have to worry about space in that stadium.

That being said, I would love to see football happen here.
Click to expand...

Are you basing that on our basketball attendance? Just because we can't fill Siegel Center for basketball doesn't mean it would be the same for football. Football involves tailgating and all that. Theres more community unity with football. VCU basketball is solely VCU alumni and students with some of the richmond community. VCU football would bring a lot of people. Our athletics department does much better job of getting the word out about its sports and promoting them than U of R. The Ticks have a bad attendance for its basketball and football. Not until the end of the season did Richmond get a good attendance for basketball. The City of Richmond is deprive of a football team with the exception of U of R and who is really gonna go to one their games when their fans don't even care. I believe VCU fans would have much better attendance not to mention bring in football fans in Richmond. If VCU showed they care about the football team than people will be more likely to be drawn to it. Note that I said that it might have to be expanded and I meant temporarily. I believe VCU football would draw in many fans from the start even if the first season would be rough.

Funny you mention the layout to the stadium. That was a big reason why I said renovation would be needed. First because U of R only maintained the facility which means it would need a little work before it was ready for VCU. Second because the layout needs to be changed. Bringing the stands closer to the field to make the opponent feel the fans are on top of them would be good.
 
I guarantee we won't see the attendance success you're hoping for with football. 90 percent of those who are college football fan here in the Richmond Area will travel to either Blacksburg or Charlottesville to see big time football. And City Stadium, while not very far away, it isn't on campus like the Stu is. It would be a chore for students to get down there.

Believe me, I want football, and I want it to succeed the way you imagine it. I would love to see 20,000 some odd folks every Saturday in the fall watching the Rams. But, I think you have an unreasonably optimistic vision for so soon in the game. It would take decades I feel before we could work up a fan base of that size
 
can VCU just start a freakin tailgating club or something and skip the whole little league football expense?.... apparently there's a huge pent-up demand for drinking in parking lots, and the football is just a pretext
 
I feel that VCU is about 8 or so years away from football..hopefully it would happen soon
 
swimmer said:
Deep down, I would like to see football added. The City Stadium would be a viable option, but it would require massive rehabilitation. That said, it today's economic climate, getting a football program started and comply with Title IX will make it a steep hill to climb.

Another option would be to acquire the stadium, level the entire area and put in our own baseball stadium, maybe a softball field for a women's team, soccer/track field and some other practice fields. Put in a modern indoor/outdoor tennis facility at the nearby Byrd Park where the current tennis courts are located. This is will allow the school to modernize it facilities and have them a little closer to the Monroe Campus. Plus the city of Richmond would not be giving up any more taxable land. Then they could redevelop the Diamond/Boulevard area with a commercial/retail/housing area that would generate taxes for the city. It could be a win/win for everyone. Just an opinion.
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I think you nailed it! I REALLY want football too, but the economy is a real barrier right now. We could start planning and get there in 3 to 4 years. And by the way, we wouldn't be playing in the CAA (as currently structured). The Big South Con may be a better fit.

Your vision for a sports complex is great. I thought that the area around the Dimond would have worked too.
 
artRAMinMN said:
can VCU just start a freakin tailgating club or something and skip the whole little league football expense?.... apparently there's a huge pent-up demand for drinking in parking lots, and the football is just a pretext
Click to expand...

Well its hard to find a place to tailgate near campus or on campus besides Homecoming. If VCU doesn't convert the entire Ukrops property that could be a nice place. Hopefully they only change the store part and leave the parking lot alone. It would be cool if Ram fans could put a request in to keep the parking lot part the same.
 
VCU is going to convert the Ukrops buidling into six large classrooms and some storage for the libraries. I have not seen spec or rendition of the proposal. I am sure the parking lot, if saved will be controlled. It would be fun if they did open it up for tailgating for school events, football or no football. :)
 
I took my kid (10 years old) to UVA for a summer program this weekend. As we're driving through campus to find the dorm, he noticed the football stadium. I can't over exagerate the reponse from my kid, he was in love. Last question from him before I left was, "Dad why doesn't VCU have a foot ball team. :x I'm positive his opinion of VCU was knocked down a couple pegs after I couldn't give him any reasonable response.
 
VCU MJ said:
I took my kid (10 years old) to UVA for a summer program this weekend. As we're driving through campus to find the dorm, he noticed the football stadium. I can't over exagerate the reponse from my kid, he was in love. Last question from him before I left was, "Dad why doesn't VCU have a foot ball team. :x I'm positive his opinion of VCU was knocked down a couple pegs after I couldn't give him any reasonable response.
Click to expand...
I love that drive on alderman...you'd be hard pressed to find a more impressive view of a stadium.

Basically, we should only start football IF we do it right. It's hard to say but...ODU has done a pretty darn good job.
 
Deuce said:
VCU MJ said:
I took my kid (10 years old) to UVA for a summer program this weekend. As we're driving through campus to find the dorm, he noticed the football stadium. I can't over exagerate the reponse from my kid, he was in love. Last question from him before I left was, "Dad why doesn't VCU have a foot ball team. :x I'm positive his opinion of VCU was knocked down a couple pegs after I couldn't give him any reasonable response.
Click to expand...
I love that drive on alderman...you'd be hard pressed to find a more impressive view of a stadium.

Basically, we should only start football IF we do it right. It's hard to say but...ODU has done a pretty darn good job.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've been on a few campuses and I haven't seen another stadium that size so close to the main road....and with that open view from the road. Great design for a first impression.
 
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