When the SLU arena is done, let me know. I have never been to a Billikens game. Can I support SLU if I go to UMSL, or is that not allowed?
- 2,005
The long anticipated arena is finally moving forward. It's capacity is now 10,000 and the cost will be $77 million.
It's A Go: SLU approves plan for arena
By Tom Timmermann
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
02/18/2006
>>Link to Article
It's A Go: SLU approves plan for arena
By Tom Timmermann
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
02/18/2006
St. Louis University will break ground on its long- awaited on-campus basketball arena by September, with the building ready for the 2008-09 season.
>>Link to Article
This is awesome. SLU students really deserve to have the opportunity to walk to some of the games, instead of having to arrange transportation to SAVVIS. Also another major project is officially going to begin construction, outstanding.
Rich by lindenwood park.
Rich by lindenwood park.
Great job by SLU on the website for this project.
I love the aerial views of the stadium area and hope that SLU takes steps in coming years to make the eastern end of its campus more urban.
I love the aerial views of the stadium area and hope that SLU takes steps in coming years to make the eastern end of its campus more urban.
This looks to be really cool for the SLU campus. Definitely an advantage to have games within walking distance.
However I do have some concerns. First, when I look at the aerial views on the website, the very first thing I notice is how there is a gigantic area of midtown with zero density due to the SLU fields/arena and the highway interchanges. Secondly, the location precludes the ability to open sports bars or other related retail within walking distance of the stadium. Maybe they intended this to be the case, but I see it as a missed chance to create some more vibrancy in the area. Any thoughts?
However I do have some concerns. First, when I look at the aerial views on the website, the very first thing I notice is how there is a gigantic area of midtown with zero density due to the SLU fields/arena and the highway interchanges. Secondly, the location precludes the ability to open sports bars or other related retail within walking distance of the stadium. Maybe they intended this to be the case, but I see it as a missed chance to create some more vibrancy in the area. Any thoughts?
- 10K
I think it's the best that they can do considering that their options were limited as far as site selection goes. Since the original plan would have put the arena north of Olive, which would have required the demolition of many historic buildings, the Compton location is a much better option.
I think that while the arena is a few blocks from any kind of bars, restaurants, etc., most people will either be parking in the Olive garage to the north or the Laclede garage to the west, which will necessitate having to walk several blocks to the arena. People parking in those garages will have their cars parked close to bars and restaurants, so I think those establishments will see a nice spike in business on game days. Who knows, we might even see some new places spring up, hoping to get in on the action.
And we know everybody will just be going back to Humphrey's after the games anyway, right?
I think that while the arena is a few blocks from any kind of bars, restaurants, etc., most people will either be parking in the Olive garage to the north or the Laclede garage to the west, which will necessitate having to walk several blocks to the arena. People parking in those garages will have their cars parked close to bars and restaurants, so I think those establishments will see a nice spike in business on game days. Who knows, we might even see some new places spring up, hoping to get in on the action.
And we know everybody will just be going back to Humphrey's after the games anyway, right?
BTW, the new plans are going to be a little different than those shown on the web site.
The new plans include:
- 10,000 seats instead of 13,000 (a good move, in my opinion)
- One concourse instead of two - no upper deck (another good move)
- The inclusion of coaches' offices, training facilities, and practice courts (the best move of all - the original plans had the teams still practicing at West Pine Gym).
I am so excited about this project!
The new plans include:
- 10,000 seats instead of 13,000 (a good move, in my opinion)
- One concourse instead of two - no upper deck (another good move)
- The inclusion of coaches' offices, training facilities, and practice courts (the best move of all - the original plans had the teams still practicing at West Pine Gym).
I am so excited about this project!
I, personally, can't wait for this project. How exciting, now SLU will really have a chance to contend in being a great college basketball program. And I wouldn't worry about the bars and restaurants, they'll find their way around.
Does anyone have a mapped location of exactly where this will go?
Does anyone have a mapped location of exactly where this will go?
- 1,768
Jeff wrote:However I do have some concerns. First, when I look at the aerial views on the website, the very first thing I notice is how there is a gigantic area of midtown with zero density due to the SLU fields/arena and the highway interchanges. Secondly, the location precludes the ability to open sports bars or other related retail within walking distance of the stadium. Maybe they intended this to be the case, but I see it as a missed chance to create some more vibrancy in the area. Any thoughts?
The Linen lofts building and many other projects headed by Integration and others centered around the olive/compton; locust/compton area will be easily within walking distance. The Linen Lofts project already has a Jazz club callled LOFT, while a Greisedick BrewPub-high end sports bar, is planned for the majority of space on the bottom floor. During our tour the guide repeatedly pointed out from the back lofts how you could see the site.
Don't forget about Seven and Art Bar, among others sprouting up.
The walk from Olive/locust to the site is probably similar to the trek from the dorms/western campus.
- 1,649
SLU unveils arena details
Work scheduled to start in September
Associated Press
ST. LOUIS - Construction will begin in September on a new on-campus sports arena at St. Louis University, a project that has been delayed by rising construction costs, lagging fundraising, even Hurricane Katrina.
Details of the new 10,600-seat arena were announced Monday.
"I am excited we will have such an outstanding facility that will serve the needs of the university and the entire St. Louis community," university president Lawrence Biondi said.
The arena is expected to be complete by March 2008 just off of Interstate 64, on the east side of campus. The project will cost about $80 million.
>>> read more
Work scheduled to start in September
Associated Press
ST. LOUIS - Construction will begin in September on a new on-campus sports arena at St. Louis University, a project that has been delayed by rising construction costs, lagging fundraising, even Hurricane Katrina.
Details of the new 10,600-seat arena were announced Monday.
"I am excited we will have such an outstanding facility that will serve the needs of the university and the entire St. Louis community," university president Lawrence Biondi said.
The arena is expected to be complete by March 2008 just off of Interstate 64, on the east side of campus. The project will cost about $80 million.
>>> read more
From the horse's mouth-SLU.EDU (8 may 2006)
Source: http://www.slu.edu/readstory/more/6905
SLU Arena on Target for September Groundbreaking
Saint Louis University?s Board of Trustees has approved a resolution giving authority for construction of the University?s new $80 million on-campus, multipurpose Arena project. At their meeting May 6, the Trustees also gave approval for the University to begin taking steps to issue bonds for the project. The Arena will be funded through fund raising, $8 million in TIF funding and bonds, which will be paid off with revenues from the Arena.
Source: http://www.slu.edu/readstory/more/6905
I can't wait to see a game there. IMO, it's going to completely revolutionize SLUs basketball program.
Exciting for SLU basketball fans.
Exciting for SLU basketball fans.
- 10K
Very exciting, and the addition of the practice facility and offices is key. The original plans had the teams practicing at West Pine Gym - not an enticing proposition for potential recruits.
- 1,649
Groundbreaking Set For New SLU Arena
created: 7/6/2006 12:40:04 PM
updated: 7/6/2006 12:46:22 PM
Ground will be broken August 28 for Saint Louis University's new $81 million dollar arena.
>>> read more
created: 7/6/2006 12:40:04 PM
updated: 7/6/2006 12:46:22 PM
Ground will be broken August 28 for Saint Louis University's new $81 million dollar arena.
>>> read more
- 10K
It will be nice to have the new building open to coincide with our run to the Final Four in 2008. 
I think this new arena will be great for the campus and put the school really on the map in the midwest. Do we know how long construction will take and when we expect it to open? I also think while they are it they should throw some money towards the baseball field as well. Coming off a tournament appearance they deserve a little better.
- 10K
MOFORGOV wrote:I think this new arena will be great for the campus and put the school really on the map in the midwest. Do we know how long construction will take and when we expect it to open? I also think while they are it they should throw some money towards the baseball field as well. Coming off a tournament appearance they deserve a little better.
The construction should take a year-and-a-half and be completed in March 2008.
You're right, we do need a better baseball facility. Unfortunately, SLU's athletic dollars are spread pretty thin right now. If you'd like to help, you can join the Billiken Club, which helps fund athletic scholarships and pay for athletic expenses.
I have attended the baseball booster club meetings on and off since I have left school and have given on occasion. The results have been minimal in my opinion but I would hope the new arena brings revenue and sparks more interest into the entire athletic department. It would be nice for at least a locker room in the new arena for the baseball team. The closest we had in west pine was less than glamorous.
For all it's historic charm, West Pine is not really a recruiting tool.
West Pine is historic but you are right it definitely hurts in the recruiting process. That is why other sports need to reap some of the benefit of the new stadium too.
- 10K
I was invited to a lunch with Brad Soderberg a few months ago, and he was talking about West Pine and its history. Apparently Cupples built the building as stables for his horses before the university bought it and converted it to a gym. Shimmy Gray, the coach of the women's team, said that it's been a huge detriment to recruiting since her team has to play all of its games there. It has no A/C, and there are no bathrooms in the locker room. If her players have to use the restroom at halftime during a game, they have to wait in line at the main restroom that the fans use. Crazy.
I'm interested to see what happens to West Pine once the new arena is done. With the practice facilities in the new arena and the existing courts at the rec center, we really won't need it. I wonder if the building can be reconfigured and renovated to serve other purposes - a computer lab, or classroom space for the School of Communication or if it will be torn down with something else built in its place. The facade is pretty cool, and it interacts well with the campus, so ultimately, I'd like to see at least the facade saved.
I'm interested to see what happens to West Pine once the new arena is done. With the practice facilities in the new arena and the existing courts at the rec center, we really won't need it. I wonder if the building can be reconfigured and renovated to serve other purposes - a computer lab, or classroom space for the School of Communication
or if it will be torn down with something else built in its place. The facade is pretty cool, and it interacts well with the campus, so ultimately, I'd like to see at least the facade saved.I agree with you, Deb. The building is horribly obsolete, but I love walking by the front because it is open onto west pine mall. I wonder if the theater could be moved from the basement of Xavier Hall into that space. Would make the theater and associated programs much more prominent instead of being tucked into a basement. There would probably still be room left for some other uses as well.
If there is some other use identified for the land, I would also be for it as long as the front facade is preserved, or something even better is put in it's place. The last thing SLU needs is more greenspace, especially with the pond and creek right across the concrete walk.
If there is some other use identified for the land, I would also be for it as long as the front facade is preserved, or something even better is put in it's place. The last thing SLU needs is more greenspace, especially with the pond and creek right across the concrete walk.
- 10K
We always called that creek the "Lazy River." I was always tempted to go out there with an innertube.
I think the idea of moving the theater to West Pine is a very good one. It probably would not be all that hard to reposition the building as a performing arts center.
And as much as I like the eye candy, they really should come up with a better use for the land that is currently home to the outdoor pool. When I was an undergrad, there used to be an old 4-5 story apartment building there that was used for married students. It looked like the buildings in DeBaliviere Place - long and narrow, and about the same age - and had a little pharmacy on the first floor. It really fit in well with the campus - I kinda miss it.
I think the idea of moving the theater to West Pine is a very good one. It probably would not be all that hard to reposition the building as a performing arts center.
And as much as I like the eye candy, they really should come up with a better use for the land that is currently home to the outdoor pool. When I was an undergrad, there used to be an old 4-5 story apartment building there that was used for married students. It looked like the buildings in DeBaliviere Place - long and narrow, and about the same age - and had a little pharmacy on the first floor. It really fit in well with the campus - I kinda miss it.