Regents Approve $14 Million Yost Renovation
The U-M Board of Regents approved the $14 million Yost renovation project earlier today. Some additional details came out that weren't known at the time of the previous post on this topic—most notably the schedule:
The Board also approved a $14-million renovation of Yost Ice Arena that will begin after the 2011-12 season and be completed by the outset 2012-13 season. The project is not expected to affect the Wolverines' competition schedule.
The renovations at Yost will replace the bleacher seats, create ADA accessible seating and loge boxes. In addition, new premium seating opportunities will be created and a new press box area will be designed on the west side of the arena. There will be an upgraded concourse with improved concessions and more points of sale. The facility will get new exterior windows, similar to the Glick Fieldhouse, and lighting to create a more inviting atmosphere.
The above is from an mgoblue.com release.
Annarbor.com article has some details on the contractor for the work:
The board approved to contract Rossetti Architecture Inc. for the project, a Southfield-based company. Some Rossetti projects include the lower level box seats at Palace of Auburn Hills and suites at Michigan International Speedway. The firm is also working on Notre Dame’s new hockey specific arena, scheduled to open next season.
. . . and some quotes from Red, including:
"Along with the new HD video boards for this upcoming season, this next project will really spruce up the arena and dramatically improve the entire fan experience as far as seating, concessions, lighting and sound," Berenson said. "But at the same time people will sense that this is still Yost and it's still a special place to watch a game."
No schematic drawings yet of the renovation. Those will be approved by the regents at a later time.
....for Rossetti Architecture including Ford Field, Wayne State's Welcome Center, The Palace of Auburn Hills and the Greektown Casino Hotel. Many other impressive projects including several MLS stadiums (including the Home Depot Center) among others.
...tuition went up again today. I know, I know...the two are not linked. Just sayin'.
The UofM Athletic Department is one of the few in the country that gains a profit without a nickel of general university funding.
You're right. Like I said, the two are not linked. I just think it's a bit strange to celebrate the (admittedly needed) renovations to Yost in the same week (day?) as the Regents again hiked tuition. It's bad optics, that's all.
One could make the argument that hedging some bad news with some good news is positive PR strategy. I know it usually helps with my wife:
"Hey honey... sorry, I forgot to mention that I'm going to Vegas this weekend. Here, have a Snickers bar."
My wife is partial to TCBY.
...there's business to conduct and they need to have these plans approved so that the renovations will be completed aling the required timeline.
I just think it's a bit strange to celebrate the (admittedly needed) renovations to Yost in the same week (day?) as the Regents again hiked tuition.
There was a meeting of the regents today, during which there were a whole host of items on the agenda, including the tuition hike and the Yost renovation. Perhaps you should direct your ire toward a different project the regents approved, namely this one (from yet another annarbor.com article):
The University of Michigan Board of Regents authorized a $23 million expansion of the Institute for Social Research to increase the capabilities of the institute’s research facilities.
Seems unlikely the ISR is self-funded, unlike the athletic department. (Note that I have nothing against the ISR—just using them to contrast with the athletic dept.)
Good catch. I love the ISR and took some good classes there (they actually do some interesting research on a whole host of long term social trends. Check out their projects at http://www.isr.umich.edu/home/projects/), but why this project in the midst of a cost crunch? I dunno.
I think a lot of people would see social research as being more in line with the purposes of a major university, whereas athletics can be seen as a 'distraction.'
...you "just sayin'" if you know there's no relationship between these things?
Maybe this will help (from the same presrel linked above):
The athletic department projects an operating surplus of $11.4 million for FY 2012 based on total operating revenue of $121.2 million and operating expenses of $109.8 million.
Chief Financial Officer Jason Winters commented that Michigan Athletics' continued fiscal health has resulted in investment of nearly $440 million of construction projects over the past 10 years.
Michigan will fund 29 varsity sports to the full NCAA scholarship limit and provide for continued capital investment during FY 2012. The athletic department is a self-supporting unit that does not receive financial support from the University's General Fund.
Plus there's this from A2.com:
Two large reasons for the increase are the addition of an eighth home game for the 2011 football season and the fact that premium and box seats are, according to Brandon, “100 percent sold out, and a line is quickly forming.”The additional home game expects to bring an additional $4.63 million in revenue, while the premium seating revenue will bring in an additional $5.1 million.
Regent Andrea Fisher Newman pointed out that the athletic department contributes to the general fund in both tuition for scholarship athletes and through a donation, which this year will be $1.8 million according to Brandon, down from $2 million last year.
The windows on Glick look like shit compared to Yost please don't change them.
I'll be missing you, old Yost bleachers from the 20s. :\
I wonder if the new "premium seating" will be any more full than the current premium seating is. Because damn if those seats aren't half empty pretty much every game. I heard at one point, a lot of those people still had seats in the bowl and because the seats are so iffy in that new deck they choose to sit downstairs.
I cant wait to see the completed project. The greatest show on ice Baby!!