Welcome home, fellow Gator.

The Gator Nation's oldest and most active insider community
Join today!
  1. Hi there... Can you please quickly check to make sure your email address is up to date here? Just in case we need to reach out to you or you lose your password. Muchero thanks!

UF to Hire Architect for $400 million Renovation to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

Discussion in 'RayGator's Swamp Gas' started by Gator Mike, Jul 3, 2023.

Page 1 of 12
  1. Jul 3, 2023 #1
    Gator Mike

    Gator Mike All American

    446
    98
    1,793
    Apr 10, 2007


    The Florida Gators took a significant step toward renovating The Swamp on Monday when they announced they’re ready to start working with an architect to lead the $400 million project.

    The announcement — the upcoming launch of the formal bidding process through UF’s Campus Planning, Design and Construction Office — has been building for years. University Athletic Association officials have said the iconic Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is starting to show its 93-year-old age, despite modernizations like WiFi and new ribbon boards.

    “Whatever work we do there doesn’t need to be a Band-Aid,” athletic director Scott Stricklin said a few weeks ago during the SEC’s spring meetings. “It needs to be a multigenerational solution to continue to give that stadium for future generations a chance to come and watch the Gators there.”    ​
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Fistbump/Thanks! Fistbump/Thanks! x 2
    • Winner Winner x 1
  2. Jul 3, 2023 #2
    tegator80

    tegator80 GC Hall of Fame

    12,955
    21,063
    3,363
    May 29, 2007
    Richmond, VA
    I think this idea works.

    [​IMG]

    I mean, it is only money. Um, other people's money...
     
    • Funny Funny x 8
    • Like Like x 1
  3. Jul 3, 2023 #3
    Skink

    Skink GC Hall of Fame

    9,058
    3,742
    2,968
    Aug 14, 2014
    Latitude Margaritaville Daytona
    Gotta be done right
     
    • Agree Agree x 5
    • Winner Winner x 1
  4. Jul 3, 2023 #4
    Crusher

    Crusher GC Hall of Fame

    6,147
    1,402
    2,143
    Apr 19, 2007
    Why am somewhat sure that they'll eff it up like the O'Dome?
     
    • Funny Funny x 3
    • Like Like x 2
    • Agree Agree x 2
    • Winner Winner x 1
  5. Jul 3, 2023 #5
    Skink

    Skink GC Hall of Fame

    9,058
    3,742
    2,968
    Aug 14, 2014
    Latitude Margaritaville Daytona
    O’Dome wasn’t pretty from the start. Florida Field is iconic - can’t mess with its overall character
     
    • Winner Winner x 3
    • Like Like x 1
    • Informative Informative x 1
  6. Jul 3, 2023 #6
    bgator85

    bgator85 Premium Member

    5,632
    741
    368
    Apr 3, 2007
    Sarasota
    Yeah, I’ll be honest I don’t have a whole lot of faith.
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
    • Disagree Bacon! Disagree Bacon! x 1
  7. Jul 3, 2023 #7
    Crusher

    Crusher GC Hall of Fame

    6,147
    1,402
    2,143
    Apr 19, 2007
    It wasn't pretty and was outdated for the purpose as a Basketball facility, but it is iconic. They tried to put lipstick on a pig and made the venue worse. They should have left it as is for all the sports (indoor track?) it housed and built a stand-alone facility for Basketball.

    We'll see what they have in mind for a very iconic Florida Field, but one of the most special things about the stadium is how close to the playing field the majority of fans are. Ruining that advantage would be a terrible thing.
     
    • Agree Agree x 5
    • Like Like x 2
    • Fistbump/Thanks! Fistbump/Thanks! x 1
    • Winner Winner x 1
  8. Jul 3, 2023 #8
    gatorranger7

    gatorranger7 GC Legend

    593
    619
    1,988
    Jun 8, 2007
    The state of modern architectural aesthetics alone is sufficient to inspire my concerns for the final product.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Fistbump/Thanks! Fistbump/Thanks! x 1
    • Winner Winner x 1
  9. Jul 3, 2023 #9
    Gator Mike

    Gator Mike All American

    446
    98
    1,793
    Apr 10, 2007
    From ESPN's article on the renovation:

    Proposed upgrades are sure to include wider concourses, less bench seating, more concession options, larger video boards, a new sound system and improved lighting throughout. Capacity is expected to be reduced by thousands.​

    Florida takes 1st step in $400M Swamp revamp
     
  10. Jul 3, 2023 #10
    gatordavisl

    gatordavisl VIP Member

    32,361
    55,060
    3,753
    Apr 8, 2007
    northern MN
    It's often been suggested that due to the nature of the concrete, they could never increase leg room. I can imagine more seatbacks and reduced capacity, but wonder if they might do anything about space between the rows. Those little seatbacks that folks rent/buy for their season seats are awful.
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
  11. Jul 3, 2023 #11
    antny1

    antny1 GC Hall of Fame

    5,443
    2,837
    2,698
    Dec 3, 2019
    That would probably be my biggest fear but I don't think there would be any reason to do so. Who knows at this point.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  12. Jul 3, 2023 #12
    TJtheGator

    TJtheGator GC Hall of Fame

    11,538
    1,971
    2,628
    Apr 3, 2007
    Orlando, FL
    Remember when ol’ TJtheGator kept saying a minimum of $250 million for the Swamp over the last 6+ years? Remember when you gave him negative points on his posts and called him crazy?

    Not so crazy now that the bill went up.

    Look at what aTm spent on theirs, Bama since 2009, UGA in thenlast decade, Texas while in the Big12.

    That’s what we’re up against.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Funny Funny x 1
  13. Jul 3, 2023 #13
    cheatng8tr

    cheatng8tr Junior

    196
    163
    193
    Dec 10, 2021
    I'll donate if they promise to allow the "Gator Bait" chant.
     
    • Winner Winner x 8
    • Like Like x 5
    • Funny Funny x 4
    • Fistbump/Thanks! Fistbump/Thanks! x 2
  14. Jul 3, 2023 #14
    62gator

    62gator GC Hall of Fame

    11,415
    4,291
    3,303
    Dec 4, 2007
    Tampa, FL
    Absolutely! That is one of pillars of what makes the Swamp such a treacherous gator pit for opposing teams. Thankfully it would take some massive structural changes for that to happen, and they’re not going to do that. I understand what they want to do, BHGS definitely needs a refresh. Scott sounds like he understands what not to do though, we’ll see if that holds true.

    Just don’t muck up what is so special about Steve Spurrier - Florida Field, please!

    IMG_6146.jpeg
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
    • Like Like x 1
    • Winner Winner x 1
  15. Jul 3, 2023 #15
    tegator80

    tegator80 GC Hall of Fame

    12,955
    21,063
    3,363
    May 29, 2007
    Richmond, VA
    Also, personal back-of-chair chilled beverage dispensers with cup holders would also be appreciated!
     
    • Funny Funny x 3
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Wish I would have said that Wish I would have said that x 1
  16. Jul 3, 2023 #16
    dave_the_thinker

    dave_the_thinker VIP Member

    1,085
    431
    1,813
    Dec 1, 2019
    Milton, FL
    We need ziplines for reintroducing the "Pass the girl up" tradition in a safe and reliable manner.
     
    • Funny Funny x 9
    • Like Like x 3
  17. Jul 3, 2023 #17
    Crusher

    Crusher GC Hall of Fame

    6,147
    1,402
    2,143
    Apr 19, 2007
    And if you have seen the new building where the old police station used to be you would have a perfect example :(
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  18. Jul 3, 2023 #18
    KronoGator

    KronoGator GC Hall of Fame

    2,229
    7,592
    2,913
    Apr 10, 2007
    That's exactly what they would have done if the current AD was in charge.
     
  19. Jul 3, 2023 #19
    TJtheGator

    TJtheGator GC Hall of Fame

    11,538
    1,971
    2,628
    Apr 3, 2007
    Orlando, FL
    Pics?

    This thread is worthless without pics.
     
    • Funny Funny x 2
    • Agree Agree x 1
  20. Jul 3, 2023 #20
    Go2gtr

    Go2gtr GC Hall of Fame

    13,791
    72
    508
    Apr 8, 2007
    They did okay with the new baseball stadium.
     
    • Agree Agree x 8
Page 1 of 12