[LUconn]

Looking secure boys. I see they're going with the "pyramid of playing cards" method of support. Just keep OSHA away.

[thesportscritic]

At least the outer construction is up.

[Libertine]

This is the exact same construction technique they used for the new TRBC (the walls of which, incidentally, are nearly twice the height of the Ops Center's). Those bars that seem to be just leaning against the walls are actually bolted into slots in the concrete both on the wall and on the ground. Additionally, the wall sections are internally bolted to each other. It looks unbelievable precarious but I've been assured that it's perfectly safe.

[Guest]

This is the exact same construction technique they used for the new TRBC (the walls of which, incidentally, are nearly twice the height of the Ops Center's). Those bars that seem to be just leaning against the walls are actually bolted into slots in the concrete both on the wall and on the ground. Additionally, the wall sections are internally bolted to each other. It looks unbelievable precarious but I've been assured that it's perfectly safe.

i might consider this method when building my gingerbreadhouse next Christmas

[PAmedic]

2 words:

SUH

WEET

[PAmedic]

hopefully there is a 5 star restaurant on the top floor so I can watch games while I dine in style. Doesn't have to be black tie- I'm a reasonable man.

[TallyW]

The process is called "Tilt-Wall" or as some call it "Tilt-Up" Construction.

Here is a very informative site (with pictures for those who don't want to read). It's faster and less expensive than traditional construction.

http://www.tiltupnews.com/

I've seen it used heavily in the last 5 years. Fellowship Church in Dallas (20,000+ members) used tilt-wall exclusively for their original facility and children's addition.

[Libertine]

Rain aside, construction has halted for the weekend. Stevie Ray Lloyd's father is the concrete contractor and he tells us that the steel guys are scheduled to come in next week and lay the steel crossbeams for the 2nd floor and roof. Mr. Lloyd will come back in after that to pour the floors and, at that point, the serious internal construction will commence.

[LU'sbestmanger]

and this is going to take 4 months to do?

[Libertine]

The last 18 months aside, anyone who's ever built a house or office building will tell you that the physical structure usually goes up relatively quickly. It's all the indoor stuff that takes forever.

[PeterParker]

So is there a master plan rendering of what the stadium is proposed to look like when it is expanded? How will this piece fit into the overall design when they choose to expand to the necessary capacity to go Division 1A (debate about this move to D1A notwithstanding--see others opinions on that on another thread.) Or is this Operations center a quick fix to make a temporary update...i.e. is there a master plan or will they have to retrofit any future stadium design in the future to accomodate this current addition? Does anyone have any inside info on this?

Also, still think that LU should put up a site that contains lots of artist renderings and graphics of what the ultimate concept is for the facilities, layout and the academic programs of the future LU (could we see a Liberty Medical Center in the future?) This could generate a lot of excitement among the alumni base to "see" what a proposed ultimate layout would look like. Could mobilize the alumni base to feel "in the loop" when giving and give them a visual of what they are ultimately giving their hard earned money towards, instead of giving blindly. Those architect mini-scale models could be housed in the DeMoss Welcome Center and when prospective students and visitors take their tour they could "see" the momentum of the school and the vision of which they could be a part.

[TallyW]

I like the idea... we'd just have to leave room for minor adjustments like when TRBC was going to be where East Campus currently sits... So let's be sure the models are movable.

[Stevev]

Last year's football media guide on the football website has the lastest plan that I know of. I should be on the last page of the cover. Not sure how to create a link here but you might want to check it out. [/img]

[Libertine]

[quote="PeterParker"]Or is this Operations center a quick fix to make a temporary update...quote]

Quick fix? Are you kidding? We've had the drawings for six years and a crater in the ground for nearly the last two!! I can say that, yes, there are master renderings of what the Ops Center is supposed to look like, but they do not match completely what the Ops Center will actually look like. I am unaware of any physical plans of an expanded stadium. That's in the semi-serious talk phase right now but, first things first.

[LU'sbestmanger]

so what is going to be inside? i know there will be a new locker room, weight room, offices..... but what else?

[PeterParker]

I suppose they could always use lego models, that way when they can accomodate the inevitable change that occurs...Also, hoping that they at least have a site plan so as avoid some of the past infrastructure decisions that have created growth restriction in certain areas on the campus...they should try to move all dormlife over to the other side of the highway btw.

I dug and found a proposal that LU had commissioned prior to the Ericsson super deal...when the TRBC was supposed to be on the other side of the highway...

LU circa 1997



Pre-Ericsson Deal LU Proposal

[bigsmooth]

there is supposed to be a small practice area, and i think some type of dining area.

[PeterParker]

I am aware of the master plan for the actual operations center. I should clarify the point in question; with goals of moving to D1A, a bigger stadium will be necessary. I was wondering if anyone had any info on how this current project would sinc with future development, if there is a long term plan (which has been lacking in the past for how construction projects will be compatible with future development) for the stadium and the other sports facilities etc.

[Stevev]

Aside from what was mentioned already I heard that a state of the art training area, equipment storage and laundry area, coaches offices, video viewing rooms, computer lab, chow hall, memorabilila display area, and others have been mentioned in the plans as well as an indoor practice area (not sure about the size of it). The current home team locker room would become the visiting team locker room and the current visiting team locker room would be used for high school games. 2 practice fields are supposed to be behind it and a restarant is supposed to built above the current field house. That is all that I know right now.

[jimflamesfan]

PeterParker, I believe the future expansion plans are a horseshoe type stadium...second decks on both sides, and seats where the grass is...it wouldn't affect the new ops center.

[givemethemic]

From what I have heard, is the practice field inisde would be about 50yds, I don't know how accurate that is but that is the number that I had previously heard...

[Libertine]

I suppose they could always use lego models,

You're killing me, Pete!

[Libertine]

Aside from what was mentioned already I heard that a state of the art training area, equipment storage and laundry area, coaches offices, video viewing rooms, computer lab, chow hall, memorabilila display area, and others have been mentioned in the plans .

All true.

an indoor practice area

Not quite. It's a sprint field which is to say a turf field to do 40's, shuttles, etc., on. It might be large enough for a few players to warm up on but certainly not large enough to practice on.

The current home team locker room would become the visiting team locker room and the current visiting team locker room would be used for high school games.

Right now, the plan is to split the existing home locker room down the middle and make it two locker rooms (trust me, we have by far one of the biggest locker rooms in I-AA so it's big enough). One side would become the visitor's locker room and the other side would become LCA's locker room. The current visitor's locker room will become the soccer team's locker room, which if you've been in there lately, they've pretty much taken it over anyway.

2 practice fields are supposed to be behind it

Originally, yes, but that idea was pre-Ericsson and before they built that road across the Big Ditch. I'd like to see two practice fields still but I'm not sure where they'd put them.

and a restarant is supposed to built above the current field house

That would come with a stadium expansion.

[Stevev]

Thank you for the information Libertine. Seems as though you have the inside scoop. I was wondering how our proposed facility matches up with other premier 1AA facilities. Based on what I have gathered from other websites for teams in the Southern and Atlantic 10 conferences it is definately on par and then some. How does ours compare with the new facility at JMU?

[Libertine]

How does ours compare with the new facility at JMU?

I have not personally seen JMU's facility since JMU had not yet completed it the last time I was up there. About a year ago, Kim Graham, Charlie Skalaski and Mickey Guridy went up to see it and they told me that JMU's was really nice and that our facility will definitely be comparable, but if we're going to be serious about recruiting any real talent in Virginia we had to get it done. It's a great relief to finally see something going up. It will be an unbelievable recruiting tool for us.