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LSSU hockey 2013-14

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Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

You are right.

Just don't turn up like the UAA Seawolves. They are never going to enever get the fan base back up in Anchorage even if they hire Don Cherry.

They lost everybody who is involved with the program the alumni, community, AD, and writer.

Don't loose your trust with each other in the Sault or you get snowballs in your face like UAA.
Well sound Pink Pony,

The answer is?
 
Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

The original project was always supposed to be a two phase project over the course of two years. The first phase being the upgrades to the hockey facilities (locker room & weight room) and the second being the atrium/entrance out front and Athletics offices. Based on the information I have been getting, it is still very plausible that construction on the first part could start in July and be completed by the time classes start in the Fall. Both parts were never planned to be done together in one year.

As far as the donors go, I have heard nothing that makes me think they have bailed on the project. The University has other needs such as a new dorm that they would spend money on, so the project would still need to be funded privately. All of my sources have told me July is the month, and until that comes and goes, I have full confidence we will see it happen.

I'm 99.9% sure the plans have changed from the original plan. What that is, I couldn't tell you. I wouldn't even want to speculate without seeing the plans.

3dognight; said:
2glory, The revised schedule that gets it done in a single phase, still done by first WCHA game, which was the revised target.

The reason for the question is that the last post by 3dognight is above. It says the project will be a single phase and done by the first game this fall. Also, the Web Site has been down for a long time. The project has lost all transparency. That is what raises so many questions. Another Laker Hockey secret I guess.
 
Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14


There's still a video on YouTube of the Norris Center Project.

Also a minor schedule change. I noticed on the WCHA site that the 2nd Robert Morris game has been changed from a 7:07 to a 5:07 start.
 
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Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

The reason for the question is that the last post by 3dognight is above. It says the project will be a single phase and done by the first game this fall. Also, the Web Site has been down for a long time. The project has lost all transparency. That is what raises so many questions. Another Laker Hockey secret I guess.

I have never heard from anyone else besides 3dognight that the project had moved to a single phase, but that would explain why the website is down because I would imagine that big of a change would result in planning and architectural changes. A lot of people have made it clear to me that the donors were never in favor of the big atrium out front (LSSUs idea), that they were more interested in putting money into areas that would affect Laker Hockey (weight room, locker room, etc.). Don't bother calling the Foundation. I did, and all I got was the political-correctness runaround. You would think they would want to spread positive news, not fend off questions like the plague and help the rumors gain steam.

3dognight, sure could use some insight. Or are you a lost soul like the rest of them?
 
Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

That UAA situation is a total Gong Show!

The UAA situation is not a gong show, in my opinion. The hockey community is trying to either (A) get rid of a basketball-only AD; or (B) at least force the basketball-only AD to pay some attention to the hockey program. The AD made everyone in the hockey community spitting mad when he built a brand new, lovely, on-campus basketball stadium for a mid-level D-II program, and did not make it available for hockey. That was the last straw for many. The Sully is a tiredold rink, ugly, dark, and empty. A new building would hav breathed some great new life into the D-I hockey program and made it distinct from the minor league team (Aces) which share the Sully. The AD has done virtually nothing for the hockey program -- and would probably prefer that UAF be the only D-I hockey program in teh state and would probably prefer that UAA drop the sport altogether. Ergo -- some justifiable rage from the hockey people in Anchorage. So they used what muscle they have -- their name recognition and their leadership in the local hockey community -- along with thir relationship with the Anchorage Daily News -- to FORCE the AD to address the hockey situation. It appears to be a mess, but in reailty I see this as people fighting for their program. And not just a few disenfranchised fans, but actual letter-winners. And in Scott and Zaporzan the Seawolf alumni are represented by two of the best players to don the Seawolf uniform.

Compare that to LSSU's situation. We have an AD who appears to understand hockey's importance -- certainly she moved quickly to get LSSU in the WCHA when the situation needed swift action a few years ago. I don't really trust her -- so for me I will always be skeptical of her motives. Others are more forgiving, and they are probably not wrong. (I personally loath basketball and distrust, as a hockey guy, anything to do with basketball because in my experience hoops people hate hockey -- so I admit to a clear-cut blinding personal bias against Hoops people in return).

We have great facilities, with a fund raising campaign. Hopefully -- and I see no reason to doubt the July 1 start-date -- we will have some new improvements.

I wonder if the LSSU alumni will step up and start making noise if the Laker program fell to the horrid levels of UAA hockey. My belief is that they would never let that happen. As frustrating as the atmosphere at the Norris has been the past 15 years -- I can promise you it is nothing compared to the cement morgue in Anchorage.
 
Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Hello folks!
I see in true internet message board style speculation runs rampant!;)
Let me shoot you an update on the Project;

I do not routinely follow this board because much of the conversation, with a few exceptions,runs the gamut from boring to silly, and despite calls for some sort of "Tranparency" the Project is not a public matter, as no public funds are involved. Idle curiosity is nothing that motivates a response.....but on with the update!

The Project remains a GO and actual progress has been made, at a cost north of several hundred thousands of dollars.....There is a signed contract with a design / build firm, and some revisions have already been submitted to us. The project is being retooled as the donor group has enlisted an additional sponsor, the scope of a WCHA facility is different than participating in the "Facility wars" of the Big Tens of the world, and the process itself has found improvements that should be considered. The Website & banners are down as they no longer reflect the final project under revision.

The University and the Donor Group remain in lock step regarding the project. There is no friction or struggle over any of the hockey vs non hockey components. None, zero...clear enough? The hockey areas have not been revised in scope or funding at all. The main changes will be to the Atrium area. We have a new sponsoring partner for that area, and frankly our original concept was found to be too large, pricey, and wasteful. it is obvious that we do not need a hockey "Palace" built to handle crowds of 4000 nightly.
We have always strived to provide a great "right-sized" venue. Once we have a fully approved design we will again fire up the PR machine, and give everyone a look.

SO....when are we going to see some construction? Is another area of speculation....a couple of things on that front;
The Project will receive full funding in July. 100% private funding is being used that is associated with a business transaction which is not yet completed. LSSU is not contributing financially to the project so all funding must be in place PRIOR to start, as opposed to being pledged as in the South Hall Project.

The latest projection is that construction will begin on the expansion to the rear of the current Norris Center footprint, rather than scrambling to do something in the current, very functional locker room space. The Project will again be done in multiple stages with full hockey completion in the summer of 2014, and other areas as the design-build firm schedules. This will reduce the inconvenience to users of the building. A major consideration for staff and students which use the building daily.

It is true that we missed our original targets, but it happens. This is a complex public-private partnership and things can always be revised or delayed. in the meantime, the donor group has used the hockey challenge program to keep momentum for program improvement, LSSU has fulfilled all of their obligations for additional program funding, and the program enters the new WCHA fully funded to the mid league average which is a goal we have all worked very hard to achieve.

This project is a gift. It is not designed to meet any fan expectations, and a long term project has long term benefits. In my experience I have found that things are not easy, they are hard, and this project is no more difficult than others that have succeeded. LSSU provides information within the agreement with the donor group. I applaud their professionalism when approached by folks looking for the "inside scoop", I am working diligently on another project nearing completion, so attention to LSSU is limited until all funds are in place for activity to ramp back up. To best help the program don't fret over what others are doing,and the time it is taking to accomplish it, fund the hockey challenge component, buy tickets, and support the Laker Club.

The funniest comment I read was "If construction does not start in July, I am going to be furious" (paraphrased) Really? Then what????? Should it just be cancelled? Please gain some perspective.....your program is the recipient of a gift, you have a secondary benefit of that gift as a fan. If you cannot express your gratitude, at least try not to appear foolish. Rest assured the University will provide information as it becomes available. This is a long process, longer than I had hoped....but we have never taken a step back from steady progress, neither has LSSU. The renovation is simply a piece of a larger process; the rebuilding a solid program base.

I am not here for questions, and actually will be going back to our other current project so snipe away, or whatever you desire. You have the latest update out there.

GO LAKERS!
 
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Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

3dognight and here I thought you were living the high life in Costa Rica right about now . Welcome back and thanks for the update .
 
Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Another example of the great things happening under head coach Jim Roque. Its no wonder why NHL teams are seeking him out. Good think the Lake Superior administration locked him up with a multi-year contract. Year 9 is going to be the best season yet, just you wait and see.
 
Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

So we now have our annual Renovation Project update and I am thankful that the time was taken to do so. Mr. 3dognight has validated that to some degree the project will be back on track in July and construction will begin to the rear of the existing building and there have been major changes to the plans which include the Atrium. He has also confirmed that we are fully funded and on par with our competition in the nWCHA. We are grateful for your contributions to our Public State University but please keep in mind that it is a public University in our community and regardless of where the funding is coming from IT IS a public matter. Also, we are not East Lansing our Columbus, this is big news in SSM. If a birdhouse is being built on Peck Street it is big news in SSM. No pun intended.
Look at things from another perspective, there is talk confirmed by members of the University that Coach Roque is at least talking to the Buffalo Sabres. There was talk confirmed by the University and now by you that there is major changes to the renovation project. There has always been discussion regarding the link between the Private Donor Group and our Coach. The Donor group is the one who got the public excited by making the major announcement of the project. The donor group purchased banners and hung them. The donor group put up a Web Site to keep the public informed of this important contribution to LSSU and the donor group decided to pull it all away without even a word of explanation.
I’m sorry that the parties feel the Public should not be updated on major renovations to a State Institution but I don’t think it’s that easy.
 
Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

So we now have our annual Renovation Project update and I am thankful that the time was taken to do so. Mr. 3dognight has validated that to some degree the project will be back on track in July and construction will begin to the rear of the existing building and there have been major changes to the plans which include the Atrium. He has also confirmed that we are fully funded and on par with our competition in the nWCHA. We are grateful for your contributions to our Public State University but please keep in mind that it is a public University in our community and regardless of where the funding is coming from IT IS a public matter. Also, we are not East Lansing our Columbus, this is big news in SSM. If a birdhouse is being built on Peck Street it is big news in SSM. No pun intended.
Look at things from another perspective, there is talk confirmed by members of the University that Coach Roque is at least talking to the Buffalo Sabres. There was talk confirmed by the University and now by you that there is major changes to the renovation project. There has always been discussion regarding the link between the Private Donor Group and our Coach. The Donor group is the one who got the public excited by making the major announcement of the project. The donor group purchased banners and hung them. The donor group put up a Web Site to keep the public informed of this important contribution to LSSU and the donor group decided to pull it all away without even a word of explanation.
I’m sorry that the parties feel the Public should not be updated on major renovations to a State Institution but I don’t think it’s that easy.

There has been confirmation that Roque is talking to the Sabres?? Are you referring to the original reports or is this suggesting that talks are still ongoing and there exists the possibility that this deal could still go down?
 
Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Now that Ron Rolston has been named HeadCoach of the Buffalo Sabres, the Jim Roque leaving and going to the NHL rumor makes sense. That may be the only way the Lakers get a new coach before Roques contract runs out.........
 
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