What would you do to improve Memorial Stadium?

#101      
skyIdub
I'm all for these proposals, but if it's this vs. finish the D1 Illini Hockey project (I don't have any idea if it competes at all)....give me hockey.
 
#103      
GoDucks349
Shief said:
Stadium Itself:
Some have already said this but I like the unique layout of Memorial Stadium and I do not want to change it too much. I agree with closing in the horseshoe, similar to the picture below, but leaving a tunnel. For the North Endzone, I would like to see that structure replaced with a curved structure like the South. I also like symmetry and am open to mirroring the wall and box into the East Side - this will help remove the ramps, allow renovated and larger restrooms to be built, improved food stands, allow space between the amenities and outside wall for people to walk around, etc. I liked someone's comment about moving food venders into the open space behind the SEZ and that sounds like a good idea. I'd also like to see the SEZ and updated NEZ areas have roofs over the concourses, that way people can be out of the weather for a bit.

Doing some rough math
- Removing ~25 row on the ESL will remove around 6700 seats but replace them with ~1500 box seats, resulting in a net loss of ~4200 seats
- Enclosing the SEZ will add ~2000 seats
- Removing the NEZ structure will take out ~4000 seats but add back in ~13500, for a net gain of ~9500
- So the new Memorial Stadium would have a capacity of ~68000, this feels about right and would get us close to the ~69,000 capacity pre-2008

Other Upgrades/Adjustments in the Area:
- Improved cell service - completely agree
- Restrooms and small food stands for the EZL Upper Deck
- Move/build scoreboard in the NEZ - avoiding the sun while watching the clock is helpful
- Improve drainage and level surface of lot west of Grange Grove - the lot can become a mud hole when it rains and vehicles get stuck
- Explore putting in a multi-level parking garage in E-14, potentially remove parking lots around Assembly Hall/State Farm Center and replace with grass on the northern lots and retail/restaurant/shop space in the southern lots (Wrigleyville/Ballpark Village style, also gives the Research Park more places to eat during the week)
- Relocate Central Receiving Building and Garage and Carpool and replace with a multi-level parking garage

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I haven't been to your stadium, but putting a roof on the side oposite the sky suites and moving the fans closer to the field would probably have a great impact on the volume on the field. Check out Husky stadium and Autzen.
 
#104      
SoCal Illini
Aesthetically speaking, something that highlights, or features, compliments or accents the 4 towers and columns. The most unique features and unmistakably Illinois.

Found this on Wikipedia, this would’ve been rad. How much are blocks of marble going for now?
1727318790770.jpeg
 
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#107      
Point-Illinois
When I was at the reliaquest bowl 2 years ago at Raymon James Stadium, I looked down at my phone and saw that it had automatically switched to some sort of Verizon WiFi.

I didn’t select it or voluntarily seek it out, and I couldn’t get off it for some reason. It was like RJS had a deal with Verizon that once a phone went inside the stadium it would transition to the WiFi or something.

It was very fast (I was able to browse the net) and clear (I got a phone call from my airline letting me know about a delayed flight).

I’m sure it’s PRICEY but that sort of internet service screams “we’re in the connected age”. Not being able to connect due to towers being overloaded should be a 10-15 years ago problem for a school like the UofI.
 
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