I doubt we ever see a full breakdown of the budget, but I think some "unseen" items cost a lot of money. Primarily the connection of Olsen to the campus-wide utility grid. Then, the player development areas that most will never see.

And I agree we don't need a palace to win baseball games. But, they absolutely need additional seating. Doesn't need to be 15k, but 10-12k sounds right. The issue they have to address is what type of seating expansion do they need? I think extensions down the first and third base lines would just about get you there. Lots of clamoring over outfield seating and the such, but will there really be any demand for season tickets in those areas? Figure out how to incorporate Aggie Alley into the footprint, but leave it as a more "raw" area. Make a GA berm or seating in RF and be done.

The question for the TMF is how many "premium" seats need to be added? I'm not interested in premium seating, just want to stay on the 2nd deck behind home plate. But, if they have lots of pent up demand for club seating and suites, that will wind up costing a lot more to incorporate into a refresh.

Bottom line, I don't think expansion has to be $80MM, but adding premium seating areas AND expanding AND upgrading infrastructure could run that number up.

And adding player development and lounge area for players and offices for coaches cost a lot.

Again when you talk about adding seats think shade. Focus will be along 3b line. Maybe LF. I don't see Aggie Alley as part of the plans. How do you spend 80 mil on a renovation and maintain a free seating area? Makes no sense. I think they will try to incorporate something similar in the stadium and hopefully at a lesser price point.

themissinglink said:

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I've been one of the louder voices beating the NIL instead of facilities drum, but we probably need to upgrade the park. Practically speaking, there isn't enough space in our existing ball park to accommodate everyone who wants a ticket. I'm sure there are also player development areas that could do for an upgrade (pitching lab?) that would have a positive ROI.

Now what is "needed" for those upgrades probably doesn't come to $80m though.

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At least you're reasonable about it. But I'll just say, Laviolette, etc aren't staying because the stadium's nice.

At the very least, we need more seats so that more Aggies can come and watch the team win!

We are also lagging in player facilities. If teams are similar NIL then stuff like that will make a difference. Let's give Earley a leg up or at least not let him be a leg down.

themissinglink said:

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I've been one of the louder voices beating the NIL instead of facilities drum, but we probably need to upgrade the park. Practically speaking, there isn't enough space in our existing ball park to accommodate everyone who wants a ticket. I'm sure there are also player development areas that could do for an upgrade (pitching lab?) that would have a positive ROI.

Now what is "needed" for those upgrades probably doesn't come to $80m though.

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Also important to remember universities will be paying players soon so game day revenue will matter. Get as many butts in those seats as you can

Dunkin' Donuts Park, Hartford CT, 6875 capacity, home of the Goats, AA club of the Co. Rockies.

Farmer1906 said:

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Wow that is kind of perfect. Small footprint. 2 levels that go with the theme of Olsen. Creates shade.

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Exactly, and why not make it a few more rows deep and
make it a 3 tier outfield?

Who didn't love the black seats?

I loved the gray Loge seats. The Loge was only 8 rows of seating, but the concourse was just as wide as it was for any other level. Was great to sit on row 6 or 7 and be able to watch replays on the game monitor above you. The Loge was my favorite!! Third base side not too far from the ice cream place.

A quick look at upgrades coming to Aubie...

First Base Club: 🔜
Home Plate Club: 🔜

We've been making steady progress at Plainsman Park this summer. 👷#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/rL1N3w1O8W

— Auburn Baseball (@AuburnBaseball) July 8, 2024

We need to seat 14,000 - 18,000
Build it and they will come
Lots of standing room only (Concourse all the way around)

Based on the liars constant whining, I'm betting it will be 12K max.

TXAGBQ76 said:

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Based on the liars constant whining, I'm betting it will be 12K max.

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12k seating is more than enough. Berms and sro will easily make up the difference in the rare games where we need more.

Sean98 said:

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TXAGBQ76 said:

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Based on the liars constant whining, I'm betting it will be 12K max.

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12k seating is more than enough. Berms and sro will easily make up the difference in the rare games where we need more.

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12k would be perfect

ensign_beedrill said:

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howdyag123 said:

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Two ferris wheels - one behind LF and one behind RF. Let's push CStat to be the new Omaha.

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Oh my goodness I hated that ferris wheel. As someone very easily distracted by flashing lights, I was probably watching that thing as much as I was watching the game. It wasn't even operating, just flashing lights. Those lights need to be turned off.

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Been there 4-5 times and hardly ever even notice it. What am I missing?

No berms
Omaha has concourse all the way around which gives lots of room for standing room only

12,000 is not enough. We have a waiting list for season tickets. We need at least 15,000

You know they are gonna add luxury boxes that often are empty on midweek games

I agree.

12K is about double the current seating.

12k with additional STO for 5k more for now; but with the ability for further expansion in another 10-20 years.

keo1 said:

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No berms
Omaha has concourse all the way around which gives lots of room for standing room only

12,000 is not enough. We have a waiting list for season tickets. We need at least 15,000

You know they are gonna add luxury boxes that often are empty on midweek games

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How big is the waiting list. It ain't that big. Certainly nowhere near 5000. I'd honestly be amazed if it's 1000.

keo1 said:

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No berms
Omaha has concourse all the way around which gives lots of room for standing room only

12,000 is not enough. We have a waiting list for season tickets. We need at least 15,000

You know they are gonna add luxury boxes that often are empty on midweek games

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Any seats added will be empty midweek games

I'm not sure where you guys think they can add 8k more seats at, I think getting to 10k will be a stretch.

Now completely new stadium will get all that

Hearne_Ag said:

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Sean98 said:

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TXAGBQ76 said:

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Based on the liars constant whining, I'm betting it will be 12K max.

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12k seating is more than enough. Berms and sro will easily make up the difference in the rare games where we need more.

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12k would be perfect

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#branding

NM

10,000 is the number Coach S told us at the last dugout club meeting. Of course this could change. I think there are plenty on the waiting list to at least come close to selling out reserve seating while still allowing some general admission for students.

That multi story look for Auburn in the above picture along the 1B line is what Coach S told us again at the dugout club with regard to where they would likely place the player amenities. Outside but connected to the seating in that part of the field.

The waiting is list is long enough that some people don't even bother to get on the list

kind of like a restaurant with 75 minute wait for a table people find out how long and don't put their name on the list

85AustinAg said:

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The most recent plans haven't been made public. Big money donors contributing the renovation might have seem something.

I've heard that the plans include:
1. Concourse all the way around the field.
2. Additional seating along 3B line because of shade.
3. Some sort of small green monster/crawford boxes in left field.
4. Picnic, Tables with umbrellas, grilles in the outfield.
5. Multi story player development amenities along 1B side.

Some of this may have changed but my last conversations with Coach S mentioned the above.It was also mentioned that because we couldn't expand the footprint that a lot of the additions would be vertical which is why the player development stuff was stacked and placed along 1B side so that 3B side / LF could maximize seating.

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This is how you texags

Some combination of those with the Huntington park up on page 1 sounds awesome. Here's hoping.

I think a lot of folks are confused when talking about the capacity number. The prior coach often made reference to Mississippi State having 15,000 fans at games. MSU doesn't have 15,000 seats. In fact, they have barely half that number. When MSU draws 15,000 for a game, there are probably 2,000-3,000 fans sitting on something (maybe a chair that they brough to their left field lounge box), but there are going to be about 5,000 fans simply standing somewhere, or seated on one of State's two small berms.

The grandstand at Olsen has less than 5,000 seats. It might be possible for us to double that number, but I suspect that our actual seat count will be less than 10,000. The only parks in the SEC that are in the range of 10,000 real seats are LSU and Arkansas. However, I suspect that we will be able to get crowds of over 10,000 with some berm seating and some SRO.

We sell around 3000 season tickets, reserving over 1000 seats for GA and player comps. I think we may double that number, which would be a sea change for us.

HeyAbbott said:

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A lazy river behind the outfield.

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Obviously this is a good idea.

Obviously

1. 11k-12k seating
2. Stacked/high seating design around the base lines
3. Picnic and standing areas to watch games in the outfield
4. Unique design that seperates Olsen from others

4. Field is an Octagon. Unique, battle tested, you don't leave until you submit.