BroadwayVik
Active member
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I believe I know the reason why the new Viking Pavilion (Stott Center) will incorporate a mere 3,000 seats. See if this makes sense.
First, Portland State (as opposed to, say, Boise State), will have the challenge of first getting 3,000 fans in the stands, and the new facility should help in that respect. UO's Matthew Knight Arena is the state-of-the-art for university basketball arenas and has a capacity of 12,364, way too many people for the vicinity. A spate of even, say, 5,000 exiting the pavilion at game's end could also be just as overwhelming as there are only two sides on which fans could exit unhindered. So, 3,000 is a more manageable number for the area and Portland State will need to grow its fan base to justify a greater-sized facility.
Second, if game attendance exceeded 3,000, athletics administration is likely in a position to transfer the game to the lower bowl of the Moda Center. But, really, how often is this likely to happen, at least in the next few years? Ken Bone's teams with the likes of Will Funn (who, In 2005, led the NCAA Division I in assists per game, with 8.0, and helped Portland State win the Big Sky Conference championship) showed that the students would attend games when teams were winning and games were exciting to watch. The gym stands were virtually full. We have to first establish that level at 3,000.
Third, outside of sports, the 3,000 size appears optimal for its other uses: Symposia, TED Talks, small concerts, graduations. OHSU has no difficulty in fitting their graduations to the numbers, and PSU has the option, say, to divide up ceremonies between, say, graduate students and undergraduate students. Undergrads will likely continue to graduate at the Moda Center with addresses from famous celebrities. For them, Ph.D. hoodings and masters level graduates kind of get in the way of their celebration, putting a drag on things. There can be two ceremonies after the Viking Pavilion is constructed.
Fourth, for future games expected to exceed 12,000, again, there is the Moda Center. What about a 12,000+ seat arena? It remains a possibility for the future. It would require all four sides for leaving at game's end. It would either have to take up an entire city block or be placed down in the Waterfront area. City police will likely have to be called in to help manage the post-game people traffic with the possibility of fights breaking out. Can Portland State get there? It is possible for them to get there, but now they need to make it to 3,000.
I believe I know the reason why the new Viking Pavilion (Stott Center) will incorporate a mere 3,000 seats. See if this makes sense.
First, Portland State (as opposed to, say, Boise State), will have the challenge of first getting 3,000 fans in the stands, and the new facility should help in that respect. UO's Matthew Knight Arena is the state-of-the-art for university basketball arenas and has a capacity of 12,364, way too many people for the vicinity. A spate of even, say, 5,000 exiting the pavilion at game's end could also be just as overwhelming as there are only two sides on which fans could exit unhindered. So, 3,000 is a more manageable number for the area and Portland State will need to grow its fan base to justify a greater-sized facility.
Second, if game attendance exceeded 3,000, athletics administration is likely in a position to transfer the game to the lower bowl of the Moda Center. But, really, how often is this likely to happen, at least in the next few years? Ken Bone's teams with the likes of Will Funn (who, In 2005, led the NCAA Division I in assists per game, with 8.0, and helped Portland State win the Big Sky Conference championship) showed that the students would attend games when teams were winning and games were exciting to watch. The gym stands were virtually full. We have to first establish that level at 3,000.
Third, outside of sports, the 3,000 size appears optimal for its other uses: Symposia, TED Talks, small concerts, graduations. OHSU has no difficulty in fitting their graduations to the numbers, and PSU has the option, say, to divide up ceremonies between, say, graduate students and undergraduate students. Undergrads will likely continue to graduate at the Moda Center with addresses from famous celebrities. For them, Ph.D. hoodings and masters level graduates kind of get in the way of their celebration, putting a drag on things. There can be two ceremonies after the Viking Pavilion is constructed.
Fourth, for future games expected to exceed 12,000, again, there is the Moda Center. What about a 12,000+ seat arena? It remains a possibility for the future. It would require all four sides for leaving at game's end. It would either have to take up an entire city block or be placed down in the Waterfront area. City police will likely have to be called in to help manage the post-game people traffic with the possibility of fights breaking out. Can Portland State get there? It is possible for them to get there, but now they need to make it to 3,000.
