UCLA's Formal Announcement On Plans for Pauley Pavillion Transformation
by Nestor on May 11, 2009 3:19 PM PDT
in Pauley Restoration
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So the big announcement on Pauley renovations was today. Rye was there and live blogging from the annoucement ceremony all afternoon. Now we can take a look. The video is now up on a new site: www.campaignofchampions.com/
They don't have an embeddable version of the video available (yet). If they want to get the word around they should get one up asap, because that will spread the word faster.
Morgan Center released the following highlights of the renovation plan in their official release (HT jlegs):
Here is a shot of what the new locker room would look:
Photo Credit: Official Site
More highlights:
Per rye CBH seemed "excited" at the ceremony today (he certain seems excited and energized about it in the video that was linked above). Bruin legends Mike Warren and Ann Meyers-Drysdale played the role of "cheer leaders" (as they did in the video as well) this afternoon. Here is what Chancellor Block and DG had to say about the plans in the official release:
"Pauley Pavilion is hallowed ground," said Dan Guerrero, Director of Athletics. "This iconic building has been home to many historic events and some of the greatest athletes to ever compete in intercollegiate athletics. Now is the time to create a 'new' Pauley Pavilion - one that will continue to serve the UCLA community for many years to come.
"There have been a number of wonderful moments during my time at UCLA, but the introduction of this project sits right at the top. I would like to thank the University and especially Chancellor Gene Block, not only for his commitment to our Athletic program, but for his leadership, vision, and support of this landmark project. Pauley Pavilion is a special place and this renovation will keep it among the nation's elite venues.
Right now per the "current timeline" construction is supposed to being in February 2010. For the first year the focus is supposed to be on the north side and exterior of the facility. Pauley Pavilion will close at the end of 2011 season for interior works. At that point our teams will be playing at alternate sites. I am assuming they will be playing at venues such as Stapels Center, the Pond in Anaheim. That might not be a bad thing because it will give fans who normally don't get to come out to Westwood to check out the Bruins (and they often tend to be crazier than the Pauley crowd which could be fun). The project is supposed to be completed by Fall of 2012.
You can get lot more details including the new "seating plan" by going over CampaignofChampions website. We will of course keep an eye on how the project is doing. How DG and Block manage this project might be one of the defining aspects (if not the one) of the legacies they will leave in Westwood.
GO BRUINS.
UPDATE (N): Video highlights from today's events is up (HT to uclabruin34):
Pauley Pavilion Renovation Announcement (via UCLA)
GO BRUINS.
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I like it!!
I have been reading a lot of negative comments about the scope and nature of planned renovation including mainly in this site. But after today, I have to say that I like the proposed plans. It may not be as grand and revolutionary as some may have hoped but considering the space limitations of UCLA campus and the fact that the new Pauly Pavilion is not erected from scratch, the design really satisfies all the shortcomings of the old Pauly. I think DG/Block have done a good job getting to this point.
Me too!
I can’t wait to see the student section expanded to wrap around half of the first level. The change in atmosphere that will create visually, not to mention aurally, will be impressive. I visited the campus last weekend (May 2-3) for the first time in years and walked around a locked Pauley Pavilion. Miraculously, when I was halfway around, one of the doors was open because some concession people were in there cooking. I walked inside for the first time in 35 years. My hair (what’s left of it) stood on end. I called both my brothers (fellow UCLA fanatics) and said, “You’ll never guess where I’m standing right now.” Based on the magic of the place and the planned improvements, I believe we’ll all be pleasantly surprised in 2012 when it opens and we field a national championship team.
Also
they are moving the benches to the other side of the court, which means that if the cameras stay in the same place, you will be able to see the student body in the background on tv, a la Duke.
i was curious about that as well
i thought they had said they moved the student section to the south and west lower levels which would mean the student body would still not be on TV. I don’t know why they would switch both the student section and team benches though. Maybe a political issue of having alumni seated in the front (north) section where the lobby is.
Go Bruins!
they put up a video of some of the speakers today
on youtube. Check it out.
31-38 Seconds
There is your wonderfully detailed and rational explanation for why they chose to renovate instead of reconstruct. It all makes so much sense now.
LOL I thought you were serious
I was excited to hear the explanation. I think thats code for “we know better than you, don’t question us”
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on May 11, 2009 7:07 PM PDT up reply actions
the other answer
The other answer I heard was “this place has mystique.” I asked this on saturday’s preview.
Anyone know how they are expecting to fund it?
I can’t imagine anyone in the 75% of seats that still have terrible sight lines and are detached from the action are going to pay seat license fees or increased prices for a bad view of the stadium. Are they expecting to raise prices in these seating areas?
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on May 11, 2009 6:59 PM PDT reply actions
Guerrero said that 100M would be privatly donated
With the other 85M coming from the university and loans. As for what would be required of season ticket holders, they said that the details are still being worked out, but I would imagine that they could be hit pretty hard to reach that 100M.
good luck
people don’t show up for those seats now except for big games. I can’t imagine folks would want to pony up more money for the aweful seats in the 300s, but I guess they know more than I do.
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on May 11, 2009 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions
People may not show up
But it seems like most of the tickets are sold. Does anyone know the usual attendance?
by SuperBruinMan on May 12, 2009 12:17 AM PDT up reply actions
from what i know
its around 8000 for mens bball games
Go Bruins!
Depends on the game
for the small, unknown non-conference games, between 8,000 and 9,000 during the week and 9,000-10,000 on weekends. For conference games it’s usually between 10,500 and 11,500. All the tickets are sold, but we have a lot of no shows so we end up with actual attendances like that.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on May 12, 2009 12:29 AM PDT up reply actions
It really hurts your business model when folks don't show
you miss out on concessions, parking, etc and all sorts of other revenue…
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on May 12, 2009 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions
Cautiously optimistic
I have mixed feelings. The inside and seating are suspect, but the exterior looks beautiful. The one thing I like: the exterior looks like a contemporary version of 1960s Pauley, which I love.
I particularly like that it looks absolutely nothing like the big box, Costco (thanks, Nestor!) carbon copy across town. When I saw the exterior for the first time, it made me think that the jackasses across town saw that and said,
Damn. They got it right and we didn’t. I wish we could have a do over. Well, that, and I wish we didn’t name it Galen.
Im a critic, but I like the exterior
and think the concessions and other stuff look great.
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on May 12, 2009 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions
Looks good!
I think that the renovation plans, considering the limitations, look pretty good. Furthermore, it’s a pretty good sign that it is actually happening!
My question is…how long before this design becomes “obsolete” again? I hope a long time…
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
The renovation lacks suites or reserved space for suites in the future
That really cuts into the revenue so while not obsolete now, you could make an argument that it will be very soon. Most new arenas are being built with suites so as more and more are renovated or build new ones, Pauley will fall behind again.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on May 12, 2009 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions
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