UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

[pucks711]

Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

The soccer stadium/football practice field swap should be done soon...especially if Diaco asks for it. I have heard from sports editor of Daily Campus via twitter that the X lot location is seriously being considered. You should be able to access the boneyard if you are not a member similar to this site.

I had heard that the hockey arena had jumped the other projects, and was next once the bball practice facility is complete. The X lot area sounds good, closer to the campus core. With that area being tied into a potential new student rec center I fear that could take forever to get done though.

 

[Jim]

Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

I had heard that the hockey arena had jumped the other projects, and was next once the bball practice facility is complete. The X lot area sounds good, closer to the campus core. With that area being tied into a potential new student rec center I fear that could take forever to get done though.

I've heard that UConn absolutely expects to have it open for the 2016-17 season for certain. One pretty highly placed person, though he isn't too involve with the athletic department, tells me they want to open late in 2015-16.

 

[pucks711]

Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

Don't know that I believe it would be possible to open that early, but it would be awesome

 

[RSTuthill]

Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

One pretty highly placed person, though he isn't too involve with the athletic department, tells me they want to open late in 2015-16.

And Freitas becomes what in that scenario?

 

[pucks711]

Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

I guess the freitas's future all depends on what they actually do for a new arena. If they renovate the freitas, well that's an obvious answer. If they build a new one I'd like to see them leave the freitas as is to be a full blown public rink. There aren't a lot of good rinks in the area, and now with hockey out you have that much more ice to sell. Friday/Saturday night public skates, open hockeys, and maybe more youth/men's league games. Could become a cash cow for the university. Another option, if title 9 allows, would be to have the women stay there full time. I personally think that would be a great option. The women can than make it their home. Neither team would have to worry about what the other is doing. Plus for the women they won't have to play in front of 4,800 empty seats if it's a 5k seat arena. What's the fun in playing in a big building if it's empty?

 

[FDNY99]

Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

Didn't they tear down the old football stands? If so, that means they will have to build new doesn't it?

Edit: Oh, you are talking about the current FB practice field.

Yeah...the stands for memorial stadium were demo'ed to make room for the basketball facility. The soccer alumni donated enough money to move the soccer field up on the hill where football practice field is now (directly above the basketball facility), and the football practice field would placed directly behind Schenkman horizontally to make it look like a T.

 

[FDNY99]

Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

I had heard that the hockey arena had jumped the other projects, and was next once the bball practice facility is complete. The X lot area sounds good, closer to the campus core. With that area being tied into a potential new student rec center I fear that could take forever to get done though.

It will be done next, but only because of the terms HE gave us when extending membership. The rec center was voted on already by the BOT so that is in the planning stages as well. Herbst recently hired a planner for the university (she was planner at Yale before coming to UCONN) who will be responsible for laying out all future building projects. Right now there is talk of shutting down Hillside Dr from Glenbrook Rd to Calhoun Way to all vehicle traffic (with the exception emergency vehicles).

 

[FDNY99]

Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

I guess the freitas's future all depends on what they actually do for a new arena. If they renovate the freitas, well that's an obvious answer. If they build a new one I'd like to see them leave the freitas as is to be a full blown public rink. There aren't a lot of good rinks in the area, and now with hockey out you have that much more ice to sell. Friday/Saturday night public skates, open hockeys, and maybe more youth/men's league games. Could become a cash cow for the university. Another option, if title 9 allows, would be to have the women stay there full time. I personally think that would be a great option. The women can than make it their home. Neither team would have to worry about what the other is doing. Plus for the women they won't have to play in front of 4,800 empty seats if it's a 5k seat arena. What's the fun in playing in a big building if it's empty?

Keeping Freitas would definitely help with Title IX by allowing both teams to practice without having any scheduling problems. It would also allow the university to rent the ice which is an issue in that part of the state, and more importantly have a place for intramural/club sports. I think the decision on Freitas all depends on where the new arena is located, and whether it is found to be fiscally sound to have both facilities.

 

[pucks711]

Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

It will be done next, but only because of the terms HE gave us when extending membership. The rec center was voted on already by the BOT so that is in the planning stages as well. Herbst recently hired a planner for the university (she was planner at Yale before coming to UCONN) who will be responsible for laying out all future building projects. Right now there is talk of shutting down Hillside Dr from Glenbrook Rd to Calhoun Way to all vehicle traffic (with the exception emergency vehicles).

Interesting. Is that just slated for the construction projects, or as a permanent change to campus layout?

 

[Jim]

Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

And Freitas becomes what in that scenario?

Freitas serves as the practice facility during construction and becomes a "community" rink when Son of Freitas opens in 2016. I don't know for sure but I'd guess it is opened to students, and available for various youth hockey leagues and so forth with the new facility limited to varsity teams and maybe the odd event like state high school championships or something.

 

[FDNY99]

Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

Interesting. Is that just slated for the construction projects, or as a permanent change to campus layout?

She is in charge of planning the future layout of campus, making it as user friendly as possible.

 

[pucks711]

Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

She is in charge of planning the future layout of campus, making it as user friendly as possible.

I meant the closing of Hillside to motor vehicles, is that a permanent change or just for construction? While I could see it being a bit of a burden to drivers having to loop around the core to various lots, I think it would be great for the overall feel of the campus.

 

[FDNY99]

Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

I meant the closing of Hillside to motor vehicles, is that a permanent change or just for construction? While I could see it being a bit of a burden to drivers having to loop around the core to various lots, I think it would be great for the overall feel of the campus.

It will be a permanent closing. It takes so long to drive through there now with all the pedestrian traffic it actually should be done. I hadn't been up on campus in almost 14 years, and my wife and I stayed at the Nathan Hale Inn a few months ago when we went to a wedding. Walking around campus, it is really neat how they have made it so pedestrian friendly. I really hope they put the new arena near X lot with the new student rec center. That will really help making it easy for the students to get to...like Gampel.

 

[RSTuthill]

Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

I really hope they put the new arena near X lot with the new student rec center. That will really help making it easy for the students to get to...like Gampel.

+1 Gotta make it easy for the students to get to.