I understand that there is going to be a massive multi-million dollar renovation for Ben Hill Griffin Stadium coming up next year... late 2023? This will be a major undertaking, etc. One example, all throughout the stadium, the aisles are not within code and will need to be widened. Also, the East Stands surface facing the field will be upgraded but I am not too sure what will happened regarding this. Some kind of roof or shade over the East Stands to protect those facing that western sun during games? Does anyone have any input, ideas, etc regarding this? Thanks!
They are also doing much needed Wi-Fi upgrades and sound system upgrades. both are horrendous currently
Paint all concrete Gator Blue.... blue stands with orange walls would be awesome... if not concrete, then replace all metal benches with blue benches. Any empty seats early in game would blend in with crowd on TV or to recruits in South end zone. We need to modernize the look of the stadium. Shade sails over East, North, and South seating would be nice.
So basically reduce the number of seats. Might as well change all the risers since they don't meet code either and put in a bunch of rails and get rid of some more seats.
My guess (this is just my guess strictly from a potential revenue point of view) is that there will be an enhancement of premium seating areas, especially on the West side stands. It will probably include removal of a few rows to make wider aisles and installation of wider chair back seats. It will also likely result in a reduction of seating capacity. This seems to be the new trend in college stadiums. I believe Bama is about to do this in several sections including roughly between the 40 yard lines on at least one side. I'm sure others are doing this as well. I've said for a while that I think the new trend in stadium renovations will be capacity reductions and enhanced seating. I think schools have learned that there's far more money to be made in reducing capacity and being able to charge a premium (plus donations for the right to buy seats) than there will ever be in increasing stadium capacity. I don't think there are many practical solutions for the East stands. Not sure you can effectively block late afternoon sun.
I think in general metal bleachers have to be a reason why Tuscaloosa home games are almost unbearable during Aug/Sept. Place is like a damn microwave, day games are absolutely brutal. I haven't been to the swamp in years, is that bad in G'ville? The heat in Tuscaloosa is ridiculous with no shade. you can't even drink a beer, it instantly gets warm and disgusting to drink
Renovated bathrooms..modern ones...those bathrooms are gross I want a huge and I mean huge jumbo high definition video boards. Especially one I can see from my seats...with stats and down, time and distance easily seen..
I changed my seats 5 years ago to south end zone lower tier because at my age I’m concerned about falls. In our section this season a man younger than me fell and sustained a nasty gash on his head. Several people were trying to help the man but, it seemed to me it took longer than it should have for EMT’s to reach him. Rails down the aisles would be a Godsend for us old folks.
Do we have LED stadium lights? If not we really should. Would be cool to turn off the lights during the singing with all the phone lights. Atlanta Braves do that for the chop and it's really cool.
I LOVE BHG just like it is. I love the fact that our shrine does NOT have all the bells and whistles. To me, "the gameday experience" is stopping Auburn, or whomever we are playing, on 3rd and short and forcing a punt. Our stadium is an old school home field advantage. I love the oppressive humidity and blistering heat at 4pm in early September. And the noise. The shaking. I do NOT ever want to see this shrine diminished. Many here attended the 1995 game at home vs UTKnoxville. Brothers and sisters.....THAT was the essence of Gator Country.
I would love to get the LED lights and turn off the white lights for the Petty Tribute song. The color lights, one at a time, with the cell phone lights would be epic-ly cool.
painting would be a huge undertaking and will chip /peel over time. I agree with the blue seats. This would be ideal.
