New Facilities

[Peoria Lion '77]

You forgot one other interested party; i.e. the taxpayer. We're being stuck with too many white elephants as it is. It will NEVER happen!

I would agree with you if the PCC was a white elephant. It has been profitable. Otherwise, it would never have expanded like it recently did. IF BU would contribute to the costs, that certainly would keep more of the burden off the taxpayer. That's part of the win/win. I also agree that it should be done right. If that means a 18,000 size arena, then let's do that.

[mike radigan]

I would agree with you if the PCC was a white elephant. It has been profitable. Otherwise, it would never have expanded like it recently did. IF BU would contribute to the costs, that certainly would keep more of the burden off the taxpayer. That's part of the win/win. I also agree that it should be done right. If that means a 18,000 size arena, then let's do that.

I never said the Civic Center was a white elephant. I'm referring to the museum, Gateway Building, Riverplex, zoo...

As Squirrely said your idea was floated 8 years ago. That would have been the time to do it. Since it wasn't done then I'll repeat, it will NEVER happen. Just my opinion.

[Beninator]

This was something in the conversation oh about 8 years ago when they began talking about Civic Center expansion. . .I believe that the entire facility is now completely (or at least very close to it) entirely paid off, so it's essentially all profit.

Ideally, they wanted to have an arena that meets NCAA host site requirements (I think 17.5-18K minimum I believe). I believe it's important to do it right, so its ok to take their time, pick the right place and the right size.

In so doing, you could actually make a play at possibly even hosting the BXII or Big Ten tourney in one arena and continue hosting the IHSA tourneys or something like the Summit League or Horizon League tourney in the other. . .

Would do wonders for this basketball-mad town.

I would think that if this were to be done, than additional infrastructure improvements around the Peoria area would have to be done to support this.

I agree with Mike Radigan... not going to happen.

[numbr_9]

Actually, the PCC expansion isn't really close to being paid off, it was done on a loan and our tax dollars will be paying it off for years to come. It also ran waaay overbudget (40% by some accounts).

And I would love to see an on-campus arena, but it's probably not going to happen anytime soon. there's not the infrastructure available to support 11k+ people going in and out of the campus area (only University and main), nor is there the parking. There's also not the same access to restaurants / bars / hotels that there are downtown. And finally, it's ridiculously expensive, and Bradley is (rightly) largely putting their money in academic facilities with the new campaign.

Plus, we can drink at the PCC and wouldn't be able to at an on-campus facility.

[squirrel]

A new on-campus arena is impossible. A larger downtown arena is impossible.

I refuse to accept impossible. At some point in the not-too-distant future, something will need to be done for not only Bradley to sustain its competitiveness, but also for Peoria to continue to draw in top-level tournaments and conventions as well.

I know it's not going to be easy, but the serious discussion must start sometime and somewhere.

[Peoria Lion '77]

I also refuse to believe it is impossible. Even if on campus and downtown can't be worked out for a new arena, there is always another option if we are willing to think out of the box. The only other choice is to keep playing in an arena that really was built for hockey, not basketball. That has been good but not the best that it can be.

[Beninator]

A new on-campus arena is impossible. A larger downtown arena is impossible.

I refuse to accept impossible. At some point in the not-too-distant future, something will need to be done for not only Bradley to sustain its competitiveness, but also for Peoria to continue to draw in top-level tournaments and conventions as well.

I know it's not going to be easy, but the serious discussion must start sometime and somewhere.

personally:

Would love to see an on-campus or near campus arena.

realistically and politically:
Not going to happen as long as the civic center is active to say the least.

personally:
a separate larger arena isnt going to happen. Infrastructure needed to support more than one large attraction at a time is cost prohibitive and would take years to complete.

realistically and politically: see above...

What will probably happen down the road:
Gradual expansion of the current Civic Center facilities.

[dogsrus]

As long as there is a Civic Center that the city operates good luck getting an on campus arena. They would do everything they could to block that from happening IMO.

[dogsrus]

personally:

Would love to see an on-campus or near campus arena.

realistically and politically:
Not going to happen as long as the civic center is active to say the least.

personally:
a separate larger arena isnt going to happen. Infrastructure needed to support more than one large attraction at a time is cost prohibitive and would take years to complete.

realistically and politically: see above...

What will probably happen down the road:
Gradual expansion of the current Civic Center facilities.

I Would like to see the Civic center expand like this. Make two seperate arenas. You have one for Hockey seating about 5-6 k and gut the current multi purpose arena making it hoops only seating about 16k. Yeah a lot of work but you'd be in line for some womens NCAA's and some first round mens games.

The hockey could be multi purpose hosting some other events, smaller concerts, practice hoops, etc.

16 k would get you bigger acts/concerts.

Sure its a dream but thats where it all starts....

[real fan]

If there was any possibility of Bradley building an on campus arena then the new facility would not be built to seat only 5 to 6000 ; there is no room for expansion so the mens program will continue to play downtown.

[mike radigan]

If there was any possibility of Bradley building an on campus arena then the new facility would not be built to seat only 5 to 6000 ; there is no room for expansion so the mens program will continue to play downtown.

Exactly! There are very few windows of opportunity for such projects. The Civic Center window passed with its expansion and the BU window passed with its expansion. The windows are closed.

[Rusty 54]

Exactly! There are very few windows of opportunity for such projects. The Civic Center window passed with its expansion and the BU window passed with its expansion. The windows are closed.

That is something that scares me. Our practice facilities have been outdated for a long time, and we are just catching up to other schools in that area. Looking at the other arenas around the MVC Carver, are we in danger of facing the same sort of situation? Creighton, Drake, and Missouri St all have new arenas, and Wichita St and Evansville remodeled. Is Bradley going to be perpetually behind the other MVC schools in terms of Basketball facilities?

[78Brave]

I actually agree with squirrel on this. It is not only possible that a new arena will be built downtown, it is inevitable. What's important now is that people start to discuss it seriously so that it is done right. It is important that Bradley get involved to make sure it is a first class basketball first arena. Many arguments against it are similar to the arguments made against the Civic Center years ago. Fortunately civic leaders with vision and courage stood up to the opposition and doubters and got it done. Think about it - the Fieldhouse was 33 years old when the Civic Center opened and had been considered outdated long before that. The Civic Center is 26 years old now. Not terribly outdated yet but the conversation for a new arena needs to start.

[2bradleyfans]

That is something that scares me. Our practice facilities have been outdated for a long time, and we are just catching up to other schools in that area. Looking at the other arenas around the MVC Carver, are we in danger of facing the same sort of situation? Creighton, Drake, and Missouri St all have new arenas, and Wichita St and Evansville remodeled. Is Bradley going to be perpetually behind the other MVC schools in terms of Basketball facilities?

Drake does not have a new arena.

[Rusty 54]

Drake does not have a new arena.

Opened in 1992, I guess your right but its still 10 years after Carver was built.