The Bradley Dome

[tornado]

A fan asked me this morning if I had heard anything new on the proposed dome Bradley was going to build.

Recall - starting in 2011 it was said that one of the next projects with the money from all the fundraising back in 2005-2011
was to build a domed practice facility on land next to Shea Stadium...and it would be used as an indoor practice facility
for soccer, tennis, baseball, etc....

Here are some earlier references to this dome being discussed....
(click on the icon next to the poster's name if you want to be directed right to the very thread & read the context....)

As I understand it, the next project will be a dome for all of the outside sports (soccer, baseball, softball, etc...)

isn't BU in the planning stage for a large, inflatable practice facility that will give indoor fields for baseball, tennis, etc....?
Is this what you are referring to as the dome?

BTW -- There's extremely little out there officially on this planned "dome"...and it's been mentioned, I believe, only once by Dr. Cross
in March of 2012.... and never mentioned or reported in the newspaper...

http://www.1470wmbd.com/pages/12412950.php?

However - it actually was mentioned and discussed here on BradleyFans LONG before it was ever revealed anywhere else
http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread...813#post238813

http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=22161

Dr. Cross confirmed the project and discussed it in 2012 - then, except for a few threads on the message board since then - everything has gone silent....
and in the meantime we've even dropped one of the sports that was going to utilize the dome (tennis).
There's been no further mention of it, no evidence of any surveying or construction, and no hint that it's going to proceed - especially now that we've got far more serious financial issues than we had back in 2011 & 2012.


Anyone hear anything? it would be hard to keep such a project completely silent if it were still on, because so many people would have to be involved in the planning, design, construction...so I have to believe this has been shelved or round-filed....

[mexicobufan]

I had an opportunity to see a drawing of the project and believe BU still wants to build it. I dont know anything but would assume as you have that the financial issues have it on hold.

[tornado]

how long ago was that?

if it was before last December then things have likely changed because of the plans for a dome out by Grand Prairie

but...if you recall - Peoria also is going to get a new baseball complex thanks in large part to a sponsorship from Louisville Slugger..but other independent investors
like Petersons who have hotels - want the out-of-town business that such a ball facility would draw!

http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/story/d/story/play-ball-louisville-slugger-complex-officially-co/16530/20AZ155p_UqKN9yYlumeyQ

http://www.cinewsnow.com/home/Peoria-may-be-getting-its-own-sports-dome-235163401.html

this new facility currently plans a big dome similar to the Avanti Dome in Pekin that used to be called the Dragon Dome
I have to think if another dome gets built first - then a huge hunk of the contract business, sponsorships, and the leasing out of it for use to make a little extra $$ to pay for it...
would go largely to the guys who build it first, and make it less appealing for BU to build one unless they get more outside $$.

[AZ BU Fan]

BU could have bought the Pekin Dome, or whatever it is being called now, on the cheap a couple years ago and moved it to Peoria.... Missed opportunity!

[tornado]

I had an opportunity to see a drawing of the project and believe BU still wants to build it. I dont know anything but would assume as you have that the financial issues have it on hold.

any further word?
..is this project still as planned - after all people gave money during the fund drive with the promise it was going to be built

[Old Coach]

any further word?
..is this project still as planned - after all people gave money during the fund drive with the promise it was going to be built

I suspect that it has been put on hold due to the financial constraints in the athletic department.

[tornado]

FOUR years ago - there was said to be an $11 million+ surplus in what was raised vs. what was needed for the other projects that have been built.
I suspect the surplus might even be more now although some big gifts have been yanked...
But - That should leave $11 million in the coffers, and this dome was hinted at just $2-3 mil -

However - Bradley does have a longstanding relationship with Avanti's and just a couple years ago - a release hinted that since Avanti's now operates the Pekin Avanti Dome maybe that's what going to be used and any competing dome might not be built.

[Vent]

Once the dome is completed at the Louisville Slugger complex, it would make sense for Bradley to enter into an agreement with them, as opposed to wasting money on their own facility, that would sit unused most of the year. It would be another non revenue producing facility on campus. With one being built at the Louisville Slugger complex, it makes no sense for BU to build one now. Especially with their financial position. Maybe if they do build one, they can drop women's softball. Just like they dropped tennis after they built a state of the art tennis complex.

[molar50]

The Bradley tennis facility is nice, but not state of the art. It has 6 outdoor courts with lights. There are high schools (Dunlap, for example) that have better facilities. Many public courts are nicer. At one time, Bradley was supposed to get 6 indoor courts, but David Markin got divorced and lost about 50% of his estate, approximately 75 million dollars. University of Illinois has state of the art tennis courts, 6 indoor and about 20 outdoor.

[bstall]

I watching them tear down the houses where the courts are now built. I used to live at 1622, the last house before the school parking lot.

[tornado]

Once the dome is completed at the Louisville Slugger complex...

The completion of the "Louisville Slugger Complex" is delayed again
Fields won't be done 'til October - the dome hasn't started construction yet
When first discussed in 2013 - the projection was to have the facility completed in 2014!

http://www.1470wmbd.com/another-delay-for-louisville-slugger-sports-complex/

as you recall, they "sold" the idea to Peoria with the projections like the museum, of hundreds of thousands of visitors yearly plus other promises - but the museum's projections were way, way overblown and false - so will this project that has gotten taxpayer funds also be?

How many projects come with great promises of success, generate tax revenue, employ people - then ask for city money, become a drain on taxpayers or go under?
Pekin Dome, Firefly, Peoria Museum, Mitsubishi, downtown hotel projects, etc.
I have no problem with private ventures or private dollars doing what they want - but it always ends up a little of a sham and costs the taxpayers plenty.

And once again - Dr. Cross spoke publicly in 2011 & 2012 about Bradley building a dome for the use by Bradley's various teams...
then things went silent - nothing and no word since...
Our newspaper went on a 1-year tirade ripping Bradley when they felt the plans for the Fieldhouse demolishing and new arena weren't hand carried and given to them - wonder if they're interested in Dr. Cross' project?

[tornado]

just heard some new info on the dome -
there have been other unexpected delays including some personnel changes but they are planning to have the dome up and operational by next January- February and plan to host a large volleyball tournament, plus local sports teams (highs chool, travel teams..) will utilize it, and the dome will also house a museum..
"...will be home to sports memorabilia exhibits and more.
???Louisville Slugger will be hosting a merchandise center there, and a museum, an extension of the Louisville Slugger Museum in Louisville..."

???You??™ll be able to see memorabilia from Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and many other baseball greats.???

http://www.1470wmbd.com/louisville-slugger-complex-preparing-now-for-winter-events/

one event that was supposed to there late this summer - had to be moved to EastSide

[tornado]

well finally - the dome is in place and up at the sports complex....more than 2 years behind schedule...
(AND - FOUR to FIVE years since Dr. Michael Cross had promised that a dome - supposedly next to the soccer field on Nebraska Ave. was the next project that would get built)

https://twitter.com/hoijim/status/763050356825808896