How an arena campaign should be done

[Green Cookie Monster]

http://www.oregonlive.com/vikings/index.ssf/2012/05/portland_state_unveils_plans_f.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Does Gonzo have the backbone to do something like this?

 

[superhornet]

The obvious drawback to any comparisons here is that this proposal is NOT a new facility but a major renovation of an already existing (albeit considered locally to be disgusting) building. Unless we plan to do something like this to The Nest (I'm not even sure that's even possible, given that it is contiguous with a classroom building at the pool), this would be impossible.

But that's just the facility. The other half of this slick campaign is how it is to be financed, and this is probably where GCM is going with this. PSU is to be declared an "education urban renewal area" and will therefore get some serious funds for various projects around campus. The arena project is separate from that and therefore will not tap into those funds, but would benefit from the publicity surrounding it anyway. The fact that PSU athletics would barely contribute a third of the scheduled events is an attractive feature because it will continuously generate revenue instead of lying dormant. This would likely include graduations, which (if something similar is done at Sac) would eliminate the expense of renting Power Balance Pavilion. PSU's plans are not really all that ambitious, but would treble what they already have, which would leave some room for growth while not making the place look empty on TV should they get bad attendance for whatever reason while they are building the program.

I like this. Given our history, I say "good luck." We'll need it. But the model is DEFINITELY something to look at. Thanks for the link, GCM.

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

I know economy, economy, etc.
But Oregon is just as bad off and the reason I posted this is PSU is a peer school who's leader is thinking outside the box and will get it done.

With all the money floating around from the failed Kings arena, why not tap into some of these people willing to finance the Kings and have them assist with the Sac State arena?
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/09/4476416/ailene-voisin-arco-builders-want.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

With almost 200, 000 alumni, it baffles me that there aren't a strong group of financiers, professional developers & construction types within the alumni ranks to organize and get this done.

Gonzo hasn't shown this leadership and so we wait for money to fall out of the sky. Which it won't.

 

[superhornet]

We can't blame it ALL on the economy, GCM, although that IS a major problem. This admin (and even going back to the Fat Man) has a history of getting skittish on projects, even with completely outside financing. Exhibit A is the baseball/softball complex INTENDED AS A FLAT-OUT GIFT that didn't happen because the admin got cold feet.

But everything else you say is correct. It's sorta like being a SF Giants fan with that punk Bruce Bochy as manager. Get a guy on base and sit and wait for the jack that often never comes instead of doing something creative like actually running the bases (i.e. playing small ball Billy Martin style). The results are the same: a whole lot of NOTHING.