[USSTEEL]

The home of a storied program is falling in disrepair (we won't mention the program name for sensitivity concerns), but would like the Huddle world's feedback on what they think would be the best way to handle the renovations.

So far, there are 3 options presented to get the facility back up to par. What do you think of the three options and what would be the best approach to meeting the objective? "Either way, We need to act quickly on our decision"

A 15-20 Year COST comparison...

NEW: $1.8 Mill for new... doesn't include: turf, locker rooms, bathrooms, storage, the 2 consessions stands currently under the stadium, etc. Also, NO ADDITIONAL maintenance factored in for next 20 years.

REPAIR: estimated to be as little as $75,000 up to $1.25 million over the next 15-20 years ($575,000 of the $1.25m is upfront costs for Phase 3 repairs, if completed). Also doesn't include: turf. There is an est for $100,000 to repair the current bathrooms.

Apple to Apple comparison of cost...

NEW (option 1): $1.8 million + additional building contruction for storage, locker rooms, bathrooms, consessions. If bathrooms repairs are estimated at $100,000... I can only imagine the bill for bathroom construction. Lets go with $2.5 million total (New stadium + new buildings for 7,000 aluminum seats, no curb appeal)

REPAIR (option 2): As little as $700,000 (phase 3 + $75,000 maintenance + $100K for bathrooms) to a max of $1.25 million total (for 9,000 wood seats & keep current nice curb appeal). HALF THE COST, TWICE THE VALUE

US STEEL PLAN (option 3): No taxpayer cost... make use of current admins to generate revenue / solicit donations to complete repairs and improve facilities via "FIX the (Intentionally left blank) CAMPAIGN". Total cost $0 (funds come from increased revenue & donations) to create an incredible event facility equalled by no facility in the area, with 8,000 RESIN CHAIRS + wood planks for the visitors!

PLEASE SELECT ONE OPTION...
Option 1: $2.50 million (est)
Option 2: $700K to $1.25 million (est)
Option 3: $0

Please consider the following prior to voting...
-Do we pass the buck, to back up the truck?
-Do we want the Taxpayer, to chose who is the (blank) Program Slayer?
-Do have paid admins on staff & trained, that can work to achieve each US STEEL campaign?
-Do you prefer band aid repairs, for all in disrepair?
-Do you prefer a facility with a theme, to maximize the revenue dream?
-Do you prefer aluminum stands, for the precious bottoms of our fans?
-Do you want a (Stadium) of lore, or a stadium sure to bore?

THINK ABOUT IT!

[USSTEEL]

THE US STEEL PLAN in detail...

I don't disagee at all with the stadium needing repair, maybe there are a few things we could do to make it a better facility, without requiring additional tax dollars. The facilities seems to be the one thing frequently mentioned that's holding back the program right now. I say... let's make a few improvements. Here are few of my ideas for a "Fix the (STADIUM)" campaign...

- "Remove the Rocks" campaign: Replace the rocks on the track with anything that has the ability to properly support the kids / fans track needs. If we can provide a nice walkway around the field, we can improve the perception of the facilities and improve the training abilities for the kids to practice on.

- "Undock the Flock" campaign: If we can temporarily cut a few corners in unnecessary expenses / overhead / admin positions... we can use those funds to take care of the repairs needed to improve the facilities and program which will improve the revenue. They can then "Undock the Flock" after the revenue improves to support the facilities. When you finally "Undock The Flock", you will see a motivated staff and also have the additional revenue needed for ongoing improvements. An Undocked Flock will rise to the challenge needed to maintain the improved facilities.

-"Rein in the Rich" campaign: There must be some alums with big bucks willing to return the program to the glory days... most everyone loves to see the alma mater do well. A few phone calls to some of the rich alums may find one willing to make a nice tax deductible charity contribution in order to help the kids out. You can even let them name the sections of the stands after them. Why section A, B, C if you could name the stadium sections after big donors. You could even use them to lay down the track material... paint it so it looks like its in big blocks and let them have their name on the track's walk of fame. If you harness the rich, a lot of good can come cheap.

-"Code the Roads Yellow" campaign: As discussed... we need to make the visit to the (STADIUM) an event. IF the Pirates can still sell tickets week in and week out with 17 years of garbage baseball, then anyone can generate revenue with making the facility more than a game... an event. Who doesn't like the Wizard of Oz? Well.. we can easily make the Wizard of (##) a first class nightmare to bring the fans in droves. If we sell it right, this could be huge. People will learn that following Yellow Roads is the path to lead you to the "Nightmare at the (STADIUM)", a facility with events to provide ongoing entertainment for not just (HOME) fans, but also for the entire valley.

The "Wizard of (##) is a face ya Know" campaign: In order to pay for a jumbo screen... you need cash. With a jumbo screen, you could make TONS of cash with advertising, entertainment, host kids events, have weekly movie night at the (STADIUM) type of events. They could make BIG cash with the jumbo screen. So why not sell the rights to who's face will be displayed as the "Wizard of (##)" on the screen? You sell raffle tickets with 4 options they can pick from. If they win the raffle, they get to pick the Wizard's face. BUT THAT IS NOT ALL... we will set a booth behind the jumbotron encased in a curtain. The raffle winner will have the option of having a dedication to themselves or they can pick who they want as the man behind the curtain. Alums would go bananas for this opp. Who will be the Wizard and who will be the man behind the curtain? The best part? You could also put the controls to the (EDIT) Bologna cannons behind the curtain. (HOME) fans could then win another raffle for the naming rights to those and then you could sell the seat to the cannon throughout the game. Let them feel like a bigshot by taking turns firing off the Bologna to the fans... say $20 per turn at the seat.

-"Boot the Boards" campaign: Its time to get rid of the wood planks to sit on. We cannot expect people to find comfort in the stands, sitting on boards. We have (company) right there in (CITY) with all the ability to create nice resin chairs to give proper support to any fan from the (HOMETOWN) . How do you pay for them? Give a city tax credit to anyone buying one (maybe $100 each?). I'm betting you could sell 8,000 in short order to all of the businesses, fans, & alums in the city. You could easily add their name to the chair for free advertising, or just to let everyone know you particpated in the "Boot the Boards" campaign. This would be $800,000 total in tax credits upfront; however it would be easily offset by the additional sales tax revenue generated from 8,000 fans at 7 home games every year. They could even pump the ticket prices $2 for the comfort seats. This would be over $112,000 yearly alone to the bottom line for those 7 games. Not including what could be generated by hosting other events (playoff games, movies, etc). In other words, the city could recoup the tax deduction in a year and gain additional revenue for years to come with a facility such as that. IF we are lucky, we could possibly get an arena slated for demolition to donate the seats and still sell them. FREE revenue for us, free tax deduction for the arena.

-"(HEAD)liner Diner" campaign: Create the place to be seen at the (Stadium). A place designed to provide ongoing entertainment while enjoying exceptional concessions such as Pasta, (EDIT) Bologna sandwiches, Buttered popcorn, (MASCOT) Droppings (chocolate covered pastries), Turnover on Downs (4 pizza turnovers family pack), (MASCOT) Dogz, Fantasy Fries, Wizard Waffle cones, etc. They will come for the fun and come back for the food. All great event facilities have great food. The (HEAD)liner Diner will be the place to get fed all of the junk for the trunk one can stomach.

-"Fire the Hire" campaign: The (MASCOT) is one of the coolest mascots in all of football. It's been around for many years and is an icon to the glory days. The one on the band shell is nice but we need a legendary (MASCOT) to fire up the fans. Why not develop a mascot with the ability to actually breathe fire and provide entertainment? Could you imagine the excitement if we had a (MASCOT) run onto the field breathing fire when visitors boo? Shooting fire at the gates for pre-game? Making this mascot would not be cheap so you would need a way to pay for the mascot. This is where "Fire the Hire" comes in. How it works is simple... Anyone paying a fee can Hire our (MASCOT) and choose what/who/where the (MASCOT) will Fire up next. If sports teams can hire out their mascot for events, I challenge anyone to find one better than an actual Fire-breathing (MASCOT) to hire for kids events, meetings, parties, etc. This alone would go a long way to get the kids interested in the program again. "Fire the Hire" would be one of the best things, if not the best one thing, to immediately turn the image of the program and generate tons of quick revenue.

With these improvements to the facilities, we can expect the program to return to glory in short order. All easily done and paid for without reaching out to the taxpayers for additional funds.

[USSTEEL]

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE for not mentioning any names.

Although we are discussing a public facility owned by the citizens, please leave the names out. The objective is to gather additional unbiased expert opinions from the Huddle community to ensure we get it right, because of the neccessity for quick action.

[Moose73]

At time when many school districts a struggling to get levies passed to support the educational side of things, it's probably going to be hard trying to sell a tax issue for athletic facilities. If the Alumni base and community support are there, try raising the funds needed through private donations. If the program is as you say, "storied", then I would think your alumni would be among the first to pony up. If there's pride in the program in community, then it might be a little easier than you think.

If the place is in bad enough shape, you might be ahead to start from scratch rather than trying to renovate what could quickly develop into a money pit.

If you go with renovating, develop a wish list. Not just the niceties, but the necessities - like making sure the facility meets code. Plumbing, electrical, HCA compliant, etc. should be top priorities. You want to avoid having your place condemned. Or worse yet, having the school get sued after someone is seriously injured because of a blatantly hazardous situation. Good luck....

[USSTEEL]

I feel we are on the same page. There are so many ways to get it done IF you use a business sense.

In a nutshell... you have 3 options: 1) New at $2.5M taxes and flat out ugly, 2) REPAIR at $700K - 1.25M and a maintain the nice stadium look, and 3)... utilize donations and marketing to make it a great facility, no taxes, but requires admins to actually manage the operation. Of the 3... the 3rd is not only the best cost approach, it is the one that can bring fans into the seats for an event.

If you hire someone to perform a job, you expect them to deliver. This is my primary point. With proper effort and management, one could likely achieve a facility beyond expectation without going to the taxpayer well again and bail out a situation that could likely be fixed well within their control. You must step up to deliver the proper leadership needed to achieve the desired result. It will be nearly impossible to pass a tax levy in this environment, It's past time to think outside the box. Hell, most of the hard thinking is already in print above. At least its a place to start.

This is indeed a storied program with a significant history. It will take effort to deliver the proper management needed to get there. If it was easy, anyone could do it. If someone opts to be a part of the oversight, then one is obligated to provide the necessary leadership efforts to produce a solid plan.

[USSTEEL]

Please Vote


This is an important initiative that must be addressed ASAP (See quote below). It's important to get feedback to avoid months of unnecessary delays in repairs; as well as any additional costs associated with a failed request to increase taxes to cover the cost.

"Either way, We need to act quickly on our decision"

This thread will help shed light on what the general public would likely percieve as the right OPTION. Huddle experts' perception will likely be very similar to the perception of the voting public. IF the right approach is to get on the phones, then now is the time for the admins to jumpstart the aforementioned campaigns. Thanks for the help!

[USSTEEL]

Please Vote