Printable View
When Lloyd B. Nabors Demolition shows up on site, something is about to come down!
In this case, it’s the April 2019 tornado ravaged J.C. Love Field at Louisiana Tech University.
Here’s to looking forward to new beginnings while never forgetting the past. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for new baseball, softball, and soccer fields and facilities.
http://s608.photobucket.com/user/pit...bile%20Uploads
Yep I saw dumpsters and fencing being put in place yesterday.
twss --Quote:
Originally Posted by Pitcherjlt
labg --
Just announced plans for baseball, softball and soccer to be unveiled Thursday, 11/21/19 at 11:30am.
https://twitter.com/LATechSports/sta...92149557551104
It's going to be interesting to see where the softball field ends up if it has to be moved. I would guess that we are going to lose some parking around the Joe.
Is it pretty much assured that the soccer field will take the rugby field's (upper field) spot? Would that mean the rugby field would go where the soccer field is now, basically putting it back to where it was originally?
Your guess would be correct. It will take up part of the parking area in the corner of the parking lot directly NE of JAS and next to the current rugby field. Of course the street will be re-routed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dawgonit
That’s logical. It’s a smart location in my opinion. I hope it’ll give them a facility to share for lockers and concessions between the two. Ideally they’d each get their own for each sport but I doubt there’s much money for that.
We’d lose paved parking space but that’s not a problem if the future rugby field (current soccer field) will then become a a parking lot again for game days.
Also an added positive in the future is that if tailgating can return to what it was, it will be more concentrated towards the TAC and Hide-a-way. A more concentrated tailgating zone is better for the environment. Like a stadium, 40,000 in a 80,000 stadium seems dull, but 40,000 in a 40,000 stadium is full of life. Gotta concentrate what we have into a more confined area and hopefully it will have a nice atmosphere.
Great, proactive, thinking! We were all good and growing around the TAC before our people moved things to the 120 degree asphalt parking lot which not only made for a miserable tailgate atmosphere, it took away enough parking to create the insane 8:00 am rule.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dawgonit
I wish we could have incorporated Track & Field into the Soccer stadium. A lot of schools are doing this. Especially since one is Fall, the other winter/spring.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UCF_So..._Track_Stadium
https://www.tamucc.edu/marcom/stadium/
https://gocards.com/facilities/cardi...ack-stadium/15
https://meangreensports.com/faciliti...eld-stadium/19
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_A._Myers_Stadium
https://calbears.com/sports/2013/4/17/208213294.aspx
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...206-story.html
https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports...owens-stadium/
JC Love starting to come down.
https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net...5a&oe=5E80504E
Would have been cool for Nabors to have used some dynamite and imploded the stadium!
Thanks. Keep the pics coming. Would have been cool if they'd set up a webcam to show the progress.Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnyb019
https://twitter.com/latechsports/status/1197560303019536390?s=21
So the plans will include additional housing, updated parking, and recreational facilities.
So will more on campus apartments be put where the softball field is/was located?
https://www.facebook.com/LATechAthletics/videos/2658147207585239/
live stream to press conference for facilities plans. here is the link
20 minutes in and they haven't unveiled anything.Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnyb019
cant wait to be at the ballgames
VERY impressive!
Good job on the presentation.
The women's facilities looks awesome.
Both ball park have integrated berm seating.
One of my biggest issues at the Love Shack was going to the concession area and missing the game. Love that will be able to watch while in line now. So far i like everything about this. Also turning the old fields (soccer,softball, and dust bowl) into parking will be great as well.
The Lady Techster facilities look very impressive as well. My daughter is going to be excited about that.
According to our AD, the SGA suggested that and our Admin agreed that it needed to be done.Quote:
Originally Posted by qng001
I wish somebody had asked about the RF area and the RR Track. I was told we had gotten great cooperation from the RR.
I know it's a mockup, wondering if we will see a video scoreboard be installed.
You could barely see it in one of the slides. Honestly I don't care about the video at this point. Just an up to date score board with radar on pitches.Quote:
Originally Posted by qng001
Quote:
Originally Posted by PawDawg
Towards the end of the press conference, the AD said that they recently got a grant to add a path along the RR from downtown all the way to the baseball field allowing for people to park “far away” and walk along the path to the baseball stadium. He also said that automated vehicles could be put to use on the path, but I’m not to sure what that means. Maybe we’ll repioneer Segway technology.
My guess is a golf cart shuttle.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dawgonit
The way Ronny Walker is working to coop the down town area to our campus is incredible.
City of Ruston/Tech was awarded a $17M grant last week.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dawgonit
https://www.ruston.org/bulldog-district.php
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br_oz64VMZY
Very nice. The changes they mentioned, like concessions placement, didn’t even cross my mind.
The area of the current softball, soccer field and intramural field will be paved over for a parking lot to service football games, graduation and baseball games.
Parking across Tech Drive for baseball games presents a pedestrian vs traffic dilemma.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EJ6kB8iV...name=4096x4096
Maybe they could put a tunnel under Tech Drive to alleviate that?
For those of us who missed the press conference, where are these located?
It seems like the baseball field is in the same location, but I can't figure out where the soccer/softball complex is.
Rugby field.Quote:
Originally Posted by 96bulldog
I would just have a police officer (like a school crossing guard) at the intersection on gamedays. That should do the trick.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bayou Dawg
That's fantastic. Seeing Ruston and Louisiana Tech integrating so much really helps make Ruston a better college town. Sometimes as a student, it really did feel like two different worlds between campus and Ruston, that looks to be changing thankfully.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bayou Dawg
Yeah I don't think the intersection is that much of a problem. The AD mentioned using a police officer as an option, they fully believe its doable there. If major cities can have intersections work for pedestrians and traffic in the middle of a busy intersection, I'm sure Tech and Alabama shouldn't that big of a hurdle.Quote:
Originally Posted by sportdawg
Quote:
Originally Posted by sportdawg
Yup
I've been to Arkansas' Baum Stadium (Fayetteville AR) 11k capacity, the majority of their parking is across the street. Police directs the traffic. It's not bad.
https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/wp-co...p-location.png
Any timelines presented for start of construction on the new facilities, total construction time for each, etc...
Immediately on the start.Quote:
Originally Posted by ETxBullDawg
In time for baseball/softball season in 2021. Maybe 2020 for soccer.
https://i.imgur.com/r02Ansd.png
A rough idea of how the soccer/softball facility will look.
https://latechsports.com/galleries/g...acilities/4037Quote:
Originally Posted by Dawgonit
.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dawgonit
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Dawg
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Dawg
I wonder if RV parking will move to the old soccer field lot.
I hope the final version of the Soccer/Softball facilities (bottom) incorporates a little brick like the baseball design (top).Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Dawg
agreedQuote:
Originally Posted by sportdawg
It almost looks like the Soccer/Softball design was hurriedly pushed out, while the baseball design has a lo of detail.Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Dawg
From the press conference, Tommy mentioned that when entering the campus on Tech Dr, you'll immediately notice the modern architecture. I think they're trying to make it match the look of the intramural center's pool expansion since it's right across Tech Drive. It has some brick in its design so I hope they add some to the new facilities too. It's nice to keep that brick as a constant throughout campus.
Also not trying to be a debbie downer, but I feel a bit disappointed in the baseball stadium design. I don't know what it exactly is but looking at it from the field level, it doesn't seem very impressive. The exterior facing the intersection has a nice look. I especially like that brick walkway idea but something about the interior seems lackluster to me.
Looks fine, I thought it looked odd from the field though. Partially because of the overhang part, the angle looks very steep from the inside.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dawgonit
Rendering vs Reality
Once we get our built, I think it'll look way better than the rendering. An example below (DBU)
https://dbupatriots.com/images/2012/...entation19.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/5f/f3...5f625723b0.jpg
For those occasions when a baseball game is played in a rain, It doesn’t look like the stadium covering is going to keep people in their seats. That’s not good.
One thing I didn't like on the baseball stadium was this note on the press release:
Seating: all chair-back seats with berm seating; partially covered; capacity of approximately 2,500.
That gives me the direct impression that the berm seating is included in the "approximately 2,500" number. I'm guessing it won't be close to 2,500 chairback seats just like the alleged 2,000 capacity of the old stadium was closer to 1,300 actual.
The blue chairbacks make it look like a lego stadium. And how many seats do we really need? 500-600 people is the norm. I don’t want a big stadium for that number.
Do you not want Tech to host tournaments?Quote:
Originally Posted by Dixonfor6
That language is vague. This--can't vouch for accuracy--is in the Shreveport Times article:Quote:
Originally Posted by FriscoDawg
Quote:
The new J.C. Love Field, or more affectionately known as the “Love Shack” will get a substantial seating expansion, from 800 seats to 2,500. That doesn’t include general admission, student and berm areas where fans can take in the game.
From the looks it doesnt have any more seats than our old structure. They may all be chairbacks which is great but I believe we have a bright future in baseball and that should be considered. 500-600 is enough at present but if we can up our performance just a notch or two then a really winning team can draw well. There is confusing info out there now, 2500 chairbacks plus the berm and SRO or 2500 including 1,000 or so chairbacks plus berm and SRO. Looks like 1,000 or so chairbacks and I dont think that is enough for the future.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dixonfor6
Think shade, not rain. Still, the drawings probably don't do justice to the actual structure at this point.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bone_afide_Dawg
It's enough...Quote:
Originally Posted by Exes&Ohs
Based on the look at the mock-ups
1,200 to 1,500 permanent chair backs
Can easily put another 1,000 SRO and berm seating
We don't need a stadium with 3,000 permanent seats
Not in particular. Why?Quote:
Originally Posted by Guisslapp
I was watching live stream on facebook. During the press conference he was trying to give some scale for new stadium to what is there currently. Was anyone there that can say where he was pointing on this slide when he said "the current facility height is about right here."
https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net...4e&oe=5E4D2EF9
I had the same question.Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnyb019
For those who are concerned with the structure of the overhang, look at it in the above attachment vs the attachment showing the inside of the stadium. Totally different.
I appreciate our Admin getting things out for us to see, I realize it may be awhile before things are finalized. This is basically what our AD said in his closing statements yesterday.
Just eyeballing the size of this building with the people figures compared to the old grandstand, I thinking the new building is about 1/3rd taller. Maybe more. Tmac said it would be an "imposing" building on the corner. A lot bigger & taller than the old Pat Patterson Park.Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnyb019
But I'd like to hear from someone who was there, too.
I spent a little time on the below. The street in the rendering fits perfect inline with Stadium Dr. and Bulldog Dr. The sidewalk down Stadium Dr will get fans directly to the east side entrance.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dawgonit
Attachment 14491
That is a much larger footprint than I imagine (I don't know why I imagined it smaller.
Tailgate alley needs to move back to the TAC to open up those spots. I'd say the softball facility will use up about 30-40% of availalbe JAS parking. I know we have iShuttle available, but we need to start utilizing on-campus parking with shuttles busses.
EDIT - I forgot we are going to utilize the former softball area for parking, so it's a wash. That will probably be more useful year-round for students and baseball.
I pasted the rendering to the google map image. I absolutely do not know how the parking lot will be designed, I just know it'll go in the former softball/soccer site. Tmac says their might be some sidewalk switchbacks to allow for pedestrian access onto the main sidewalk.
Plenty of parking for baseball, plus we have campus parking nearby (Memorial Gym/Hale) and the parking over by the Joe.
Attachment 14492
Thanks, that is sweet.Quote:
Originally Posted by qng001
The backside of the softball field would be some good tailgating grass for football.
But you have to be set up by 5:30am that WednesdayQuote:
Originally Posted by qng001
twssQuote:
Originally Posted by sportdawg
That rendering just cant be correct, comparing it with closer images shows no more than 1,000 seats. Time to fix that is NOW, hopefully the real deal will have more.Quote:
Originally Posted by qng001
3,000 permanent seats may not be needed, but 2,000 permanent seats certainly are needed if we are going to play teams like LSU and Arkansas at home. Adam McGuirt confirmed the 1,500 chairback seat number in his podcast with Teddy that also aired on the UAB football pregame show.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden
Considering there were 1,200-1,300 permanent seats (chairbacks and bleachers) in the old stadium, other than the club seats (not a definite according to Adam), there will only be a minimal increase in permanent seating. The added amenities may be great, but insufficient permanent seating is the primary area where this project doesn't pass muster. And it doesn't look like there will be much in the way of future expansion opportunities without another nearly complete overhaul.
I think the old stadium sat around 800.
Tommy said that there was only 800 seats. Looks like a shell game to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by FriscoDawg
I was never in favor of having more than 2000 or so permanent seats. It looks horrible to have 1/2 of them empty on a big game night. Even USM has lots of empty seating in big games.
I think we'll be fine with what we have in the works.
Definite shell game. There may have only been just under 700 chairbacks in the old stadium, but then add in around 600 bleacher seats behind the chairbacks to get to close to 1,300 actual seating capacity in the stadium.Quote:
Originally Posted by olddog75
And to respond to Pawdawg, you can't fill seats that you don't have.
I agree to an extent. I also know that only a handful of games have been near SRO over the past four years. Arkansas x3 (mostly Hog fans), Rice one game, and USM a couple of games. At best our average attendance is close to 500, but announce 1000+.Quote:
Originally Posted by FriscoDawg
I think the concern is to have non permanent seating that can be added if needed to host a regional along with the berm areas. Hopefully we'll pick up something in both right and left field if needed.
I've been to several games at USM. They have a great program, but the grandstand atmosphere is lacking. I've never been to a game at LaLaff, but I rarely if ever see the stands full on TV.
I hope our AD is flexible on the pricing of the seats.
I don't know where Tommy got the 800 numbers. The old JC Love had 1,274 seats, including 1,248 in the grandstand. 606 individual chairback. 642 bench chairback. 26 individual chairback seats on the two dugouts.Quote:
Originally Posted by FriscoDawg
From the opening of the stadium in 1971 to the point where Sim began replacing the old bench seating with chairbacks in 2003, capacity was listed at 2,000. That number was accurate. We lost seats with Sim's chairback additions beginning in 2003 as well as the construction of the press box in 2008.
We often put more in the stadium with people sitting in the ailes and SRO at the top of the grandstand. We've also counted anyone in right field and -since the dorms were constructed prior to the 2004 season - anyone in the dorm areas as well.
I think looking at the aerial view of the stadium below that probably temporary bleacher seating could be erected on the paved part down right field line and the grassy part down left field line between the baseball building and the fence.Quote:
Originally Posted by PawDawg
I hope that they have that taken into consideration when making these plans. I'd hope the facility would allow people to reach those areas easily and that any seating put there wouldn't obstruct any views. Also I hope they thought of these areas as areas for future permanent expansion if needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Dawg
Pretty sure that's the bullpen area for Tech relievers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dawgonit
I could see temporary bleachers added down 1st base. Also, what about left center? is there a hill there or could bleachers be added?
Keeps these figures in mind - they are what matters...Quote:
Originally Posted by The Historian
I like having demand for MY seats - something that isn't true in any other sport on campus -
A 50% increase in capacity puts us at 1,911
A 75% increase puts us at 2,230
No need to go much bigger than what they are proposing -
I want an intimate, very nice facility with bells and whistles
Has the University received any FEMA money yet.
Sorry if already mentioned.
I really hope this doesn't affect my spot in the gravel lot.Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Dawg
2500 plus another 500-1000 is more than enough for routine demand and the once every 20 yrs we play LSU at home.
When this opens, we will have a lot of folks who will want to come out and see the new park. We need to make sure we run this venue in a first class way. This is our opportunity to turn these visitors to season ticket holders.
I'm already pondering - do I try to grab a field level seat right behind the plate or do I take the top row when my dad wants to attend?
Planning on increasing my season ticket seats from 3 to 5
I wasnt able to get a picture today. All the turf is piled up on the field now waiting to be hauled off. Home bullpen is gone. They are removing the red brick from the outside of locker room area. The oak tree by Tech Drive was removed. The concrete paths around concession are being removed. I will try and get an updated picture soon.
Hopefully they are saving this and will be able to use in the new stadium somewhere.Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnyb019
That's what i was thinking. There was about 5 guys out there taking the brick down. It seemed like they were trying to save them so hopefully the can be reused in some capacity.
They will use it for something. Otherwise they would not have 5 guys removing it instead of a track hoe.
My guess is for a special wall or brick pathway.
Who gets the fun job of cleaning up the old mortar from the bricks?!
But keep in mind this isn't what they're proposing. We had a capacity of 1,274 plus SRO. They're proposing 1,300 to 1,500 permanent seats plus berm seating of approximately 1,000.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden
If the berm seating consists of bleacher seats of some kind then we would be limited to their number when considering stadium capacity. If no seats are planned then why dont we consider berm seating as a couple of thousand, we can use any figure we want for berm or SRO. From what I am hearing the plans are incomplete. We have seen a "wish list" but nothing definite until funding is in place, which it is not. Did everyone notice funding will be provided by fema, insurance, state, AND philanery AND donations? Notice the cost is deliberately being kept confidential?Quote:
Originally Posted by The Historian
They/We don't know the exact funding amounts yet. Do you think our people should just spout off a random amount? Our AD said the plans were not complete and he also said that things would not be finalized (It was the same with the DAC and Press Box) until we knew the amounts coming in from various sources. This had to be done now just like it had to be done at a certain time before the DAC and Press Box actually began. No need panic. Adam is on top of things.Quote:
Originally Posted by Exes&Ohs
One thing Burroughs told me that hasn't been mentioned is they plan to drop the field level 4 feet from current level. I assume this will help with the slope hill on Tech drive side as well as help build in some of the grandstands. I was not sold on keeping the field in the current location but these plans are fantastic and think it is going to be great. I love the drawings and how it kind of reminds you of the old with the shape and overhang.
More of the brick coming down today.
https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net...10&oe=5E77D4BE
good morning. update pics morning of 12/3/2019
https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net...7e&oe=5E8C5E72
https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net...d5&oe=5E410758
Thanks Johnnyb!
Question for those who have a long history of attending games. Most of you noticed that he RF area view changed last year after the RR decided to thin out the trees (what I was told). It looked different and not good IMO. Should we try to save to two (?) remaining trees in Right or are they already schedule to be taken down?
Kinda looks like ULM campus now.Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnyb019
But does it smell like ass? If so, now we are talking about ULM!!Quote:
Originally Posted by LEEDAWG