[BCXtreme]

First of all, in case anybody with a say in the matter comes across this thread, this why the university (IMO) desperately needs to approve and release a detailed update to the Master Plan. It's very clear to everyone that a lot has changed since last November, and without any word from the university on how everything is going to fit together now, some people are going to start to wonder if the administration still knows what they're doing. Releasing a new Master Plan this fall would give people a much clearer picture of what will happen on campus in the next 2-3 years, and help reassure people that the university's plans are still cohesive, well-designed, and sufficient to satisfy the university's needs.

Agreed. But can you think of another university where they have a bowling alley connected to their main academic building? This alley wouldn't be the Lynchburg Bowl, but it would not be a single lane either. BYU has a massive student center (https://wilk.byu.edu/) with tons of different things in it, including a bowling alley (

but its in a free standing building. Baylor has five lanes in their student union, which is also free standing (http://www.baylor.edu/studentactivities ... p?id=74988).

I can't think of one offhand. Unfortunately, the Champion article probably didn't do the building justice; it sounds like the bowling alley will not be the only activity available in the building. I'm not opposed to the idea mainly because I think it will be nice to have classrooms, food courts, lounge space, and activity areas all connected, especially with the amount of rain Lynchburg gets during the fall and spring seasons. I'm a little uncertain why the bowling alley is going in the Campus Center and not LaHaye, but I'm expecting it will make more sense in the coming months as we get a more complete picture of the project (last I heard, they will be laying the foundations this fall).

I had also heard that they were considering using the wings for departments, classrooms, etc., but I don't know what the plan is anymore. I think that constructing in world class academic buildings in the middle of the academic commons makes a lot of sense. Maybe a multi-story student center could be built where the School of Religion and their parking lot are now? Perhaps they could avoid completely tearing down the Towns-Alumni lecture hall (only 6 years old) and incorporate it into a new building, since I hear that they want to tear the old building. That way the student center is still centrally located, but not right in the middle of classrooms, lecture halls and academic buildings. This is all just brainstorming.

I think the Towns-Alumni auditorium is actually part of the reason they want to tear the building down. (Incidentally, have you heard that outside of this thread?) It looks to be in the way of the new perimeter road they want to build, and as a single-story structure it doesn't make good use of space. In addition to whatever they are planning for the Religion Hall area, I forgot that the Liberty Journal (image at bottom-right) also indicated there will be a new, freestanding academic building across from that area as well.

Eventually, we will need space for free standing buildings for the major departments (School of Religion, School of Education, School of Government, School of Business, etc.) as the school matures. Some of these buildings will probably go where the parking lot between the School of Religion and bookstore is now; the small departments will stay in a completely remodeled DeMoss (hopefully ). Again, this is just brainstorming (at least 25 years from now). However it turns out, a well thought out master plan right now will prevent major headaches in the future.

Much of DeMoss has already been remodeled, and I believe the Campus Center project calls for additional remodeling. I'm fairly certain there is already a plan in place to replace the Religion Hall, and that new academic building in front of DeMoss may house an individual school as well. As of last fall, they also were planning to eventually build some academic space on South Campus. (If they really wanted to, I think that replacing South Campus with higher-capacity dorms and parking garages would open up enough space to even build a second academic commons. Even if it's 25 years out or whatever.) Unfortunately, the nature of the campus being squished between railroad tracks and an expressway make it difficult to accommodate both open lawns and buildings without everything becoming really stretched out. However, there has been talk about how these projects are just the first phase of expansion the university plans to undergo, so I'm sure everything is being designed with an awareness that there will be future expansion and these facilities need to be permanent, unlike the ones they're now tearing down.

/giant post

[Sly Fox]

I'm loving the back and forth. My only inject from my isolated location halfway across the country is that I can assure you that there are people that lurk on this board who do factor feedback on these developments into their thinking. Those who have been on this board for a number of years can attest to the results.

I do think you guys are underestimating the flexibility of old DeMoss. It was designed from its beginning back in the Mid '80s to be easily reconfigured as needed moving forward.

I also would add that I feel confident that the School of Religion will not be shortchanged in all these devlopments. Even though their grads are notoriously poor givers as alumni, they do have a great deal of influence with decision-makers.

[BCXtreme]

I'm loving the back and forth. My only inject from my isolated location halfway across the country is that I can assure you that there are people that lurk on this board who do factor feedback on these developments into their thinking. Those who have been on this board for a number of years can attest to the results.

Well I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. And it doesn't surprise me that certain things expressed here would make a difference. Even if they don't participate actively for legal reasons, people with decision-making power at a developing university could not possibly consider it wise to completely ignore the things said in communities such as this one. I'm kind of hoping the constant speculation here may encourage TPTB to give everyone a real, comprehensive update on their plans sometime soon.

I do think you guys are underestimating the flexibility of old DeMoss. It was designed from its beginning back in the Mid '80s to be easily reconfigured as needed moving forward.

I'm definitely not. I can barely recognize DeMoss now from when I first stepped inside in 2010. I do think there are some departments that are better off having their own, unique, permanent buildings, but I also think there are plenty of departments that have no such unique needs and should have no problem staying in DeMoss indefinitely … at least, well through this growth phase and probably the next one too.

I also would add that I feel confident that the School of Religion will not be shortchanged in all these devlopments. Even though their grads are notoriously poor givers as alumni, they do have a great deal of influence with decision-makers.

Agreed. I don't have any insider sources, but I do think it's likely that whatever they do in that area will include a new, much larger and nicer Religion Hall. That was part of the plan in 2012: the School of Religion was going to get a new building next to the Jerry Falwell Library, and the Center for Worship was going to inherit Towns. Then they decided to form a School of Music, and that building took the new Religion Hall's place in the plan. Now, with a new dean in the School of Religion, and all the other slab buildings being demolished, I'm sure there was a pretty good case for a new Religion Hall.

Even though the part of me would like to see the religion majors stuck with the last slab building, since they were always yapping about being "content" with the existing amenities, I think a new 3-4 story Religion Hall in that location would really boost the campus's image from US-460.

[UVALibertyFan]

Jerry Jr. just posted a model of a master plan on Instagram. Two things that stick out that haven't been on current master plans...

Some new academic buildings in the parking lot behind the bookstore.

A very large building in the parking lot on East Campus. Yet another civic center location possibility?

[BCXtreme]

Jerry Jr. just posted a model of a master plan on Instagram. Two things that stick out that haven't been on current master plans...

Some new academic buildings in the parking lot behind the bookstore.

A very large building in the parking lot on East Campus. Yet another civic center location possibility?

NICE catch. I'm pretty sure the Civic Center idea has gone the way of the dodo. That building looks to be occupying the space currently used by Doc's Diner and its parking lot. Perhaps it is the olympic sports complex moved to a more accessible location... There is another large building on the south end of East Campus, not sure what that will be either.

Changes to the Circle are clearer in these pictures. There also look to be a LOT of changes down on South Campus (*feeling prophetic*). There even looks to be a bridge over US-460 down there connecting South Campus to East Campus, unless my eyes are playing tricks on me.

This model also confirms the changes to the Religion Hall area we have been speculating about. Unfortunately, once again we have images with no captions, so it answers some questions while introducing more, but perhaps this means they are working on a publication-worthy update to the plans.

FYI, I've been told that the next Liberty Journal will be out the week of September 22. If no news breaks before then, that might have some.

[UVALibertyFan]

I didn't see the second picture at first, but yes, looks like a lot of new buildings down in the South Campus area and a new bridge across 460 down there. Also check out the pedestrian bridge going to I assume a new athletic related building near the baseball stadium.

I wonder if that other building on East may be something athletic related also since it would be near the fields down there. I think that parking lot where Doc's is is a prime location for a signature building which is what makes me think it may be where a new arena would go. That location a long time ago was going to be where a 12,000 seat sanctuary was going to go for TRBC. With new exits off of 460, a location on that side of the highway may work.

[BCXtreme]

I didn't see the second picture at first, but yes, looks like a lot of new buildings down in the South Campus area and a new bridge across 460 down there. Also check out the pedestrian bridge going to I assume a new athletic related building near the baseball stadium.

I wonder if that other building on East may be something athletic related also since it would be near the fields down there. I think that parking lot where Doc's is is a prime location for a signature building which is what makes me think it may be where a new arena would go. That location a long time ago was going to be where a 12,000 seat sanctuary was going to go for TRBC. With new exits off of 460, a location on that side of the highway may work.

A pedestrian bridge across that road is HIGHLY needed IMO, so I hope that is indeed what it is.

That large building on southern East looks like it takes up space currently occupied by some of the female East dorms. Also, incidentally, it's right where the tunnel comes out. It does seem curious.

I think the Olympic Sports Complex would qualify as a signature building, especially if LU decides to incorporate some of the features previously planned for the Civic Center (for example, a multi-thousand seat ice arena). Whatever it is, it has a lot of columns in the front, kind of like LaHaye Rec & Fitness Center does now.

I go to TRBC, and I don't see why they would want to spend money on a 12,000 seat sanctuary. Their current sanctuary is 6,000 and rarely fills completely. That being said, a 12,000 seat sanctuary that is conveniently available around 10:00am three days a week might just be what LU needs to close Vines for that year of major renovations and expansion they want to do…

In general the plan seems to be calling for a lot of LARGE buildings, which can only be a good thing (if planned well).

[Cider Jim]

I'll ask it before Medic does. What's Instagram?

[bluejacket]

I would think that at least one of those buildings on East will be athletics related; one is probably the natatorium. The bridge connecting the two South Campuses is pretty large, so it could be both pedestrian and vehicular. The south end of Main Campus has four pretty large buildings at the old softball field, but I have no clue what they are. The building on the west side of the soccer stadium is probably athletics related, too. There is a tall, thin building on the south side of DeMoss (between DeMoss and Vines), but I have no idea what that could be. The two large buildings in the bookstore parking lot are new, but I don't see the free-standing bookstore anymore. Maybe its getting moved into another building? Vines is still there so I don't think that there is a new basketball arena coming. Some really interesting things on that model.

I wonder what rest of campus will look like near Campus North and below the Monogram.

[BCXtreme]

Pres. Falwell also posted a complete shot to Twitter, at the request of Jake Shellenberger. Before anyone asks, I'm pretty sure that Tolsma-sized hole in the middle of Green Hall does not represent an actual change and is just a flaw in the model. Though I could be wrong. We do get our first, highly preliminary look at the student section tower for Williams Stadium via the above image.

I'll ask it before Medic does. What's Instagram?

In the event that you're not joking, Wikipedia is your friend.

Pres. Falwell posted the links to his Twitter account if that's more your speed.

I would think that at least one of those buildings on East will be athletics related; one is probably the natatorium. The bridge connecting the two South Campuses is pretty large, so it could be both pedestrian and vehicular. The south end of Main Campus has four pretty large buildings at the old softball field, but I have no clue what they are. The building on the west side of the soccer stadium is probably athletics related, too. There is a tall, thin building on the south side of DeMoss (between DeMoss and Vines), but I have no idea what that could be. The two large buildings in the bookstore parking lot are new, but I don't see the free-standing bookstore anymore. Maybe its getting moved into another building? Some really interesting things on that model.

I wonder what rest of campus will look like near Campus North and below the Monogram.

The one in the Doc's region does look like the arena facility VMDO mentioned, which could be what we know as the olympic sports complex / natatorium. The older Master Plans showed a south/west side being built at Osborne Stadium, so that could be the building with the pedestrian bridge in that area. That tall, thin thing near DeMoss and Vines has been in the renderings for a few years, I have no idea what it is. Many people will agree the bookstore is too small for its current needs; if I recall, either the textbook section or the spirit shop will go into the bottom of the Landmark Tower, so perhaps the other will be incorporated into one of the new academic buildings.

[BJWilliams]

The only thing I can think of over that way is the elevator/stair access to the pedestrian tunnel

[BCXtreme]

The only thing I can think of over that way is the elevator/stair access to the pedestrian tunnel

If you're talking about the tall structure between DeMoss and Vines, I'm pretty sure that's something different. The access to the tunnel is next to Regents Parkway behind the Jerry Falwell Library. This structure in the renderings and models is along University Boulevard, near the current DeMoss bus stop.

[bluejacket]

North looks different as well. There's also two fairly large buildings near the ice center and another building next to the Tilley and Tower Theater. It would be nice to take Tolsma out of Green Hall and leave a courtyard in the center, once we find the space to build a freestanding indoor track. Green Hall still gives me the feeling of a converted factory, so I hope that there are plans to fully redesign the interior.

[BCXtreme]

North looks different as well. There's also two fairly large buildings near the ice center and another building next to the Tilley and Tower Theater. It would be nice to take Tolsma out of Green Hall and leave a courtyard in the center, once we find the space to build a freestanding indoor track. Green Hall still gives me the feeling of a converted factory, so I hope that there are plans to fully redesign the interior.

There is an indoor track going in above the basketball courts in LaHaye, but there's a lot more in Tolsma than just the track. I suppose if one of those new large buildings around campus will be a new Tolsma, maybe that really is a courtyard in the middle of Green Hall.

Green Hall's interior is better than its exterior, IMHO. With the exception of the new LaHaye expansion, most of Green Hall's exterior still looks like an industrial building.

[UVALibertyFan]

Agreed on the exterior of Green Hall. Would be nice to add brick around the bottom part of the whole building at least.

That Thomas Road idea was before the Ericsson building was given to Liberty/TRBC. I have seen an old drawing somewhere and remember an article about the sanctuary plan but it was scrapped after that building was donated.

[bluejacket]

Green Hall's interior is better than its exterior, IMHO. With the exception of the new LaHaye expansion, most of Green Hall's exterior still looks like an industrial building.

Agreed on the exterior of Green Hall. Would be nice to add brick around the bottom part of the whole building at least.

Agreed. Just about the entire building should be redone. Leave the section of offices/departments that they just refinished, but keep working on the areas that haven't been redone yet. Most of the outside should be changed. Brick and some columns near main entrances would look nice too.

[BCXtreme]

That Thomas Road idea was before the Ericsson building was given to Liberty/TRBC. I have seen an old drawing somewhere and remember an article about the sanctuary plan but it was scrapped after that building was donated.

When they discussed building a Civic Center in TRBC's parking lot (a plan that I believe was tabled by the City), they talked about building a new TRBC/LCA near the US-29/US-460 interchange below the CMHS (medical school), with its own egress and ingress. But I'm fairly sure that plan died with the Civic Center. IMHO, TRBC really doesn't need another new building unless Liberty needs them to move and is willing to pay handsomely for their current property. Especially if that nondescript new building shown just west of Green Hall is, as I hope it will be, a TRBC/LU parking garage.

[BCXtreme]

For the people who don't check as frequently as I do, Pres. Falwell posted a third picture to Instagram. So there are four pictures floating around now. Just FYI.

[SuperJon]

Jr said on twitter that the building on east is a 5000 seat arena for men's/women's volleyball, women's basketball, some men's bball, wrestling, and a parking garage.

On a side note: I think it says a lot that this thread excites me more than any football thread.

[BCXtreme]

Jr said on twitter that the building on east is a 5000 seat arena for men's/women's volleyball, women's basketball, some men's bball, wrestling, and a parking garage.

On a side note: I think it says a lot that this thread excites me more than any football thread.

I just saw that as well. It was posted with a panoramic view of the model, for the Twitterless crowd.

I like Liberty Football, but unless they make the playoffs this year, this is the bigger news quite frankly.

EDIT: He also mentioned the ice center will be expanded to 4,000 seats under this plan.

[bluejacket]

Any idea what the building is near the current East Campus clubhouse?

[Sly Fox]

Well played, CJ. This is the 1st time I have seen something this significant from the school leaked on IG:

[JakeP50]

I like the idea of a smaller basketball arena on East. The bridge over to South Campus isn't a bad idea either, more for the poor guys down there than the people on East. I would think if that happens another change to the bus routes will happen, maybe a bus from East that goes somewhere on Main Campus other than Green Hall.

[Cider Jim]

Thanks, Sly. Those images you provided here will help Medic, but I also saw them on Facebook.

[Sly Fox]

Facebook owns Instagram and you can publish to Facebook off Instagram. That's how the cool kids roll. Or at least that's what I hear from them.

Here is the panoramic version JLFJR posted directly on Facebook tonight ...



Let the speculation run rampant!