Joe's Comments on Lloyd Noble

[Northbase]

At first I thought that if they re-configure the seating, they would have to probably demolish the current concrete base and re-pour, but now I am thinking that they would drill into the current base and imbed rebar, then pour over the current configuration.

I think that they will create a more dramatic rise in the seating going up, which would create larger commons areas at the top of the arena. He did say it would bring the capacity down. If they do this, it will probably be a more traditional 4 sided configuration and no longer a bowel seating shape.

 

[IndySooner]

At first I thought that if they re-configure the seating, they would have to probably demolish the current concrete base and re-pour, but now I am thinking that they would drill into the current base and imbed rebar, then pour over the current configuration.

I think that they will create a more dramatic rise in the seating going up, which would create larger commons areas at the top of the arena. He did say it would bring the capacity down. If they do this, it will probably be a more traditional 4 sided configuration and no longer a bowel seating shape.

Freudian slip?

 

[Max Power]

Freudian slip?

I found it to be more of a truth in advertising term

 

[dahldennsull]

I think something that hurts our older and more wealthy attendees is having the bathrooms and concessions only at the top. It's not a hassle for me, but as our fanbase gets older, those with the tickets low will simply stop showing up to game, but keep giving their money to the university because it's too hard to handle the steps up and down during the game.

I am definitely excited about decreasing capacity, losing the bowl shape, and increasing the steepness of the stands though.

 

[Northbase]

Freudian slip?

LOL! I'll leave it.

 

[AdaSooner]

I think something that hurts our older and more wealthy attendees is having the bathrooms and concessions only at the top. It's not a hassle for me, but as our fanbase gets older, those with the tickets low will simply stop showing up to game, but keep giving their money to the university because it's too hard to handle the steps up and down during the game.

I am definitely excited about decreasing capacity, losing the bowl shape, and increasing the steepness of the stands though.

Excellent point about how difficult it is for senior citizens to get from the upper to the lower level and back again.

I know from experience that it hurts my knees like crazy to walk up and down those steps. Going down is worse than going up for me. If the new bowl increases the incline without giving some consideration to restrooms and concessions, I believe older people like me will not make much of an effort to attend future games. Wealthier donors may continue to buy tickets. They just won't be there to fill the empty seats, much like it is now.

 

[dahldennsull]

Excellent point about how difficult it is for senior citizens to get from the upper to the lower level and back again.

I know from experience that it hurts my knees like crazy to walk up and down those steps. Going down is worse than going up for me. If the new bowl increases the incline without giving some consideration to restrooms and concessions, I believe older people like me will not make much of an effort to attend future games. Wealthier donors may continue to buy tickets. They just won't be there to fill the empty seats, much like it is now.

we are on the same page

 

[tycat947]

I think something that hurts our older and more wealthy attendees is having the bathrooms and concessions only at the top. It's not a hassle for me, but as our fanbase gets older, those with the tickets low will simply stop showing up to game, but keep giving their money to the university because it's too hard to handle the steps up and down during the game.

I am definitely excited about decreasing capacity, losing the bowl shape, and increasing the steepness of the stands though.

They do have concessions/bathrooms on the mid-level, out the tunnel and I wonder if you can't get a pass to go out on court level as well. I have women's tickets, in addition to the men's, about midcourt, three rows from bottom and I see a lot of elderly people or disabled people coming and going from the main court level tunnel and they usually have a pass around their neck. When originally built there wasn't any access for anyone other than at the top but once they added the practice facilities they created some other options.

 

[skyvue]

Excellent point about how difficult it is for senior citizens to get from the upper to the lower level and back again.

I know from experience that it hurts my knees like crazy to walk up and down those steps. Going down is worse than going up for me. If the new bowl increases the incline without giving some consideration to restrooms and concessions, I believe older people like me will not make much of an effort to attend future games. Wealthier donors may continue to buy tickets. They just won't be there to fill the empty seats, much like it is now.

Ada, I would encourage you to email the above to Joe C. Chances are, he's aware of the situation, but who knows? And hearing it firsthand from someone who is impacted by the situation means a lot.

 

[Paperclip]

Excellent point about how difficult it is for senior citizens to get from the upper to the lower level and back again.

I know from experience that it hurts my knees like crazy to walk up and down those steps. Going down is worse than going up for me.

Exact same for my mother. She's a big fan, but I only brought her to a couple of games because of this.

 

[AdaSooner]

Ada, I would encourage you to email the above to Joe C. Chances are, he's aware of the situation, but who knows? And hearing it firsthand from someone who is impacted by the situation means a lot.

I'll do that, Sky. I may wait until we know for sure a plan to renovate the LNC is in the works. One would think that Joe C will be more likely to pay attention any suggestion he receives, or to remember what was said during the planning stages.

I would also hope that OU admins like him will ask for input from fans of all ages. That's certainly what I would do.

 

[AdaSooner]

Exact same for my mother. She's a big fan, but I only brought her to a couple of games because of this.

I doubt if your mother and I are the only ones who experience pain on those steps.

I think she will also tell you that it can be embarrassing to a senior citizen with a lot of pride. I can walk on a flat or a somewhat uneven surface with a fairly normal gait. The pain is still there, it's just not as severe. That changes when I go up and down steps. It's impossible to hide the pain, because every step I take is excruciating.

 

[r948]

Use the elevator

 

[AdaSooner]

Use the elevator

Seems simple enough until you examine the facts. The LNC's only elevator connects the upper level to the mid level. It also has restricted access limited to people with a disability. I don't have a disability, it just hurts to go up and down steps.


ELEVATOR
The elevator is located on the south end of the Lloyd Noble Center by section S4. For men's and women's basketball games, the elevator is accessible to any patron with a disability from the upper level to the mid level. However, we request usage only when necessary.

 

[thegreyghost]

What's the renovation cost $ wise vs. building a new arena....I think a new arena would be the better way go for the future next 50 years, LNC was built in like 1975 and I have heard complaints about it since the late 80's by basketball fans.

 

[hoopsaustin]

Putting a bandaid on a problem that needs surgery... These renovations won't change anything.. So I say save the money

 

[skyvue]

Putting a bandaid on a problem that needs surgery... These renovations won't change anything.. So I say save the money

Preemptive naysaying, huh? Might as well beat the crowd, I guess.

Given that we've no idea what changes are in the works, how can you possibly say the renovation won't change anything? Is the outside of the building the only factor that impacts your enjoyment of games at LNC?

 

[MsProudSooner]

Seems simple enough until you examine the facts. The LNC's only elevator connects the upper level to the mid level. It also has restricted access limited to people with a disability. I don't have a disability, it just hurts to go up and down steps.


ELEVATOR
The elevator is located on the south end of the Lloyd Noble Center by section S4. For men's and women's basketball games, the elevator is accessible to any patron with a disability from the upper level to the mid level. However, we request usage only when necessary.

You have a disability if you doctor writes a letter for you.

Other than changing the seating configuration, more bathrooms for the lower levels and more elevators or escalators would seem to be in order.

 

[HOTROD21]

Why won't OU just build a basketball arena? What's the reason behind it not actually happening? Is cost that big of an issue?

 

[tycat947]

OU doesn't need to build a new arena. The location of LNC is perfect, with the parking and easy access to Highway 9/I-35. I think for recruiting purposes, the location of LNC with the practice facilities attached is second to none. It's apparent that whether we renovate LNC or build a new facility the crowds are not going to come. The newness of a new arena or renovation of LNC will wear thin quick. The big conference games will probably see more people in the seats but those November/December/early January games are still going to only be about 75% full, max. That's from a 40 year history. I marvel at every game, men's or women's, when about 2 or 3 minutes from the end people flock to the exits in hope to miss the extra 30 SECONDS of wait time in traffic for a game of 6 to 8 thousand. We average over 10,000 per game of tickets sold and I don't think that changes either. If people, who are OU basketball fans in the Norman/OKC area, don't go to the games only because of the configuration of LNC, I'm not sure what to say. I think we should renovate LNC just because we have a great location already with great practice facilities attached and I think the main reason they are renovating or building a new arena is for addition of suites/boxes which will in turn generate cash for the athletic department. But I don't for a second thinks building/renovating provides an oasis for basketball attendance (not tickets sold) in the long run. It will be temporary, at best.