In 5 years or so we will not recognize the RAC.Thete are a few models being explored and they all,as they should involve luxury boxes which are true money makers. All but one were sold out last night at the Pru. The site will be the same. But it will be a re-build up and not out. My hunch is 10000 seats.
A New RAC
- Thread starter RU72
- Start date
None of the builds should include luxury boxes.
The RAC isn’t a place you go to sip on wine and eat catered chicken fingers.
We’re going to sell our souls for a few extra bucks and it’s going to **** the RAC up.
Just add sections in the corners where you can get waiters and waitresses to bring food that you order on your phone and call it a day.
It has to be a rebuild out to get more space for rest rooms,refreshments and a new entrance to the RAC along with seating reaching 10.000 .
do we even fill those seats we have behind the basket as is.
I dont like this idea. The RAC has its own charm being the ugly bandbox. Making it something its not will be something that we will regret
I dont like this idea. The RAC has its own charm being the ugly bandbox. Making it something its not will be something that we will regret
Even if we added seats, where would they come? The corners by the student sections?
This is not idle speculation. The money will be raised and bonds will be floated. The model is what was done at Assembly Hall. Luxury boxes are mandatory from a financial perspective. Obviously,the refreshments and bathrooms will be far enhanced and expanded.I agree with such a project.
Is adding sections to the corners really feasible with the huge support columns in the four corners? I’m not an expert on the subject by any means but those look structurally important.
I see no downside to the improvements mentioned, and as a 30-year season ticket holder I would welcome them. The real unique aspect of the RAC is the steep vertical incline of the seating. If that’s maintained then I say bring on the rebuild. If that has to go then I would not be as enthused.
That seems like the easiest win to me.
The sloped ceilings limit how much seating you could realistically add behind either of the baskets anyway, and the number of seats really isn’t the issue here. It’s the lack of amenities and space we have when the arena is sold out at its current capacity that is an issue.
That was my question
A renovation might require the steep verticality to be changed due to codes
If so, forget it
Im no engineer, but RU is supposed to be pretty damn good for that, so they should be able to figure it out.
You can maintain the structural integrity and build around it.
It’s not about adding more seats, it’s about closing gaps to make the place louder.
I’d also close the open space above 118.
The problem is they’re going to look at a fix and it’s going to be ways to increase revenue, which I understand. The issue is the revenue you’d been generating is really a drop in the bucket. Focus on improving the experience from an atmosphere perspective and the revenue will be there.
I feel this way about football too. Eventually when you decide to add seats we should be closing gaps and focus on creating a hot ticket, not more seats. Supply and demand; the lack of seats in an amazing atmosphere will generating more revenue.
Luxury boxes are a must to monetize an arena properly.
They need to do something with the outside look. It’s brutal.
The downside is if we are the 28 years of the past 30 years and there is low demand for luxury seating and the athletic budget just got bigger without enough of an increase in revenue.
The probability of athletics ceasing at Rutgers in the next 15 years increases with this type of idea.
Are those offices still used or can they just turn those into some bootleg luxury boxes?
I don't disagree with the sentiment but it's not realistic.
It's been said plenty of times. RU does not have a athletics spending problem (despite what the faculty union wants to people to think). The key difference with our competitors is we don't generate the same amount of revenue.
The options are:
- Sell alot more t-shirts and hot dogs
- Expand the seating capacity
- Raise ticket prices
- Build and sell luxury boxes
Luxury boxes will only work in an arena in downtown New Brunswick, you cut deals with corporations to purchase them. People take the train in after work to catch a game.
Rutgers’ target demographic is blue collar right now, not white collar IMO.
I like it. Feel like it makes visiting fans coming for the first time think “Wtf am I about to walk into?” as they approach the arena.
It will definitely be built out at the entrance. Not sure why you don't think so. That is the space that we have and will build a new entrance and expand it.
Best of Luck,
Groz
Haha. Yeah I can see that. Psychological warfare starts before the even get in the building.
Gotta invest in the future. We’re in the B1G now, with more B1G money on the horizon. Can’t cheap out now.
agree there is no excuse that they couldnt come up with ideas to make it more pleasant looking with landscaping as well...I realize that they are probably waiting for a bigger plan but geez its been dystopian since the 80s
That is the alternative POV. Investing in something doesn't create demand that isn't there.
Is demand there?
There is a ton of money out there, at least for now (SPOILER ALERT)
Serious question had the AD been measuring the decibel level two seasons ago and this year? Wonder what it averages and reaches and then separately if it’s considered at all In any renovation plans
Rutgers also supposedly has a good agricultural school , but yet couldn’t figure out how to grow proper grass in piscataway.
Yes, there is enough demand there, enough to justify this investment. What’s the alternative? Just let the RAC rot and hope that whatever demand we may have just dries up? I don’t understand this defeatist view, coming from a fan.
That's a full-blown rebuild, not renovation, and I believe the luxury boxes will be placed behind the basket opposite the student end of the building.
Most of the potential revenue that can be had is based on the product on the floor. I don't think there is a ton of demand lost because of what the building looks like.
Open question as I have no idea......is the Audi club 100% filled with season tickets?
Above 118 is where the handicap section is, and I think there is a rule in place that we can't take that away
There were people that came around with meters to all areas of the arena 2 years ago to measure noise, etc. Haven't seen any this year yet.
Best of Luck,
Groz
It's like shooting fish in a barrel on this board.
Prudential Center: SHU is again thinking small. Why won't they open up the upper deck? Who cares if it ruins their home court advantage - they are REFUSING money! Thinking small again.
Adding luxury boxes to RAC: NO!!!!! The RAC isn't a place for luxury boxes. Who cares if it'll bring in much needed additional money.
I mean, we could just become a better team on the court and not have to rely on the RAC to win games.
Plenty of other teams seem to win games and have successful programs without the RAC.
Prudential Center: SHU is again thinking small. Why won't they open up the upper deck? Who cares if it ruins their home court advantage - they are REFUSING money! Thinking small again.
Adding luxury boxes to RAC: NO!!!!! The RAC isn't a place for luxury boxes. Who cares if it'll bring in much needed additional money.
I mean, we could just become a better team on the court and not have to rely on the RAC to win games.
Plenty of other teams seem to win games and have successful programs without the RAC.