The Dome

[The Dude]

When I heard that UNI had a dome and that UD was going to have to play there I didn't think much of it. Though our conference is strong there are plenty of teams who have weak turnouts for home games. After the game between UNI and UD I realized that if UNI were to fill in the corner of the end zones and possibily add a few more rows of seats that are closer to the field that your stadium could become the Cameron Indoor Stadium of college football. Every single player and fan from UD said that the noise level at 'The Dome' was like nothing they had ever heard. With your fan base and winning record there is no reason to believe that you couldn't add 2,000 more seats and make your home field advantage that much greater.

[Mountain Panther]

Re: The Dome

When I heard that UNI had a dome and that UD was going to have to play there I didn't think much of it. Though our conference is strong there are plenty of teams who have weak turnouts for home games. After the game between UNI and UD I realized that if UNI were to fill in the corner of the end zones and possibily add a few more rows of seats that are closer to the field that your stadium could become the Cameron Indoor Stadium of college football. Every single player and fan from UD said that the noise level at 'The Dome' was like nothing they had ever heard. With your fan base and winning record there is no reason to believe that you couldn't add 2,000 more seats and make your home field advantage that much greater.

I like your idea. Keep in mind that sellouts weren't all that common until this past year, so you saw the Dome at its best. If attendance like that keeps up then yes, I can see expanding (although I'm not sure where - space is limited).

[JayJ79]

Re: The Dome

if UNI were to fill in the corner of the end zones and possibily add a few more rows of seats that are closer to the field

I don't really see HOW any more seats could be added closer to the field, without it turning into arena league football where there are walls/boards right on the sidelines, and players getting knocked into the crowd.

Likewise, there isn't really any room for seats in the corner of the end zones, without taking out the south concourse (which is quite congested as it is.

in fact, I can't really think of any ways to expand seating capacity, aside from possibly a luxury box/suite or two in the north end, and of course, there will be some added standing room on the north side when they complete the concourse on the third level there.

[The Dude]

Re: The Dome

I've never been inside the dome I've only seen the inside from the tv. but it looked like there was room for seats in all four corners. Regardless though it's a great venue and a damn tough place to play.

[BCPanther]

Re: The Dome

I agree Dude...

I would think that there would be a way to extend the endzone sections all the way up to the back wall without losing any concourse space...

[BonduBluejay10]

Re: The Dome

Yea Brett thats a great idea it would definitely serve as a home-field advantage

[dustin86]

Re: The Dome

there is no space to add additional seat in the stands you cant put anymore in the south endzone because of the steps going down to the field and the north endzone the wall is right there. The corners you really can not place any seat there because there is no room.

[Matt Trump]

Re: The Dome

All the area in the south end zone is for storage. There is no way they can take that out. The Dome is maxed out and there is chance for it to change, especially with the wonderful administration

[JayJ79]

Re: The Dome

frankly, I'm not sure it NEEDS to be changed at the present time. At least in terms of additional seating.

Yes, we had tremendous attendance for football this past year. But until we have such sellouts year in and year out, I don't really think expansion is necessary.

Not that I'm against expansion, but I just think that there are more pressing financial issues than to invest a TON of money (which would be needed for the type of redesign needed to expand seating in any significant amount).

[Panthers to the Bone]

Re: The Dome

Additional seating could be added in the each of the south corners, but that would have to make the 'walkway' from the east to the west (especially the stairs) no longer open air. The south deck could still remain 'open air', but the stairs would have to be underneath the area where seats would be added. There would have to be some structural changes made that might not make it work with how old the Dome is (or it's original scale/purpose).

As they make the north end zone accessible from the east and west, they could make those luxury boxes. Luxury boxes could also be put where potential seating (as stated in paragraph 1) could be in the south corners.

Typically, when stadiums expand, they expand up and out. Unfortunately there are structures that prohibit such expansions. I can only see the capacity of the Dome expanded by literally hanging seats on the wall!

[JayJ79]

Re: The Dome

If anything, I'd like to see the east and west concourses (or whatever you call the areas with the restrooms and concessions) expanded or rearranged to make it a tad less congested.

Granted, it doesn't really affect ME too much, as I never buy concessions or use the restroom during football games (due to the congestion), but I know many people do.

But I'm not sure how those could be improved in that regard.

[Matt Trump]

Re: The Dome

If its too tight, people can always walk over to the McLeod center and use the facilities. Worked like a charm for me.

[UNI MadCat]

Re: The Dome

Adding crappy seats in the corners doesn't do jack for us.

Why do you add seats? To increase revenue. Paying millions of dollars to add seats that you can only make 15 bucks a game on is one of the stupidest ideas this University could ever do (and I realize, they aren't considering it... but if they did!!).

We COULD, on the other hand, manuever around to make corporate suites in the Dome. Now THAT would be a potential moneymaker, if done right. But, first things first, lets get some suites up in the Mac.

[jegbomb52]

Re: The Dome

One of the coolest things I have ever seen is at Oklahoma State in Stillwater. They have corporate boxes that can see both the football field and the basketball court.

[UNIPNTHR]

Re: The Dome

We COULD, on the other hand, manuever around to make corporate suites in the Dome. Now THAT would be a potential moneymaker, if done right. But, first things first, lets get some suites up in the Mac.

Not criticizing, but asking...

...if we can't fill the corporate seats, can we fill corporate suites (all other things equal)? I realize there's a big difference between a first row seat and a suite... but you'd figure dollar for dollar the value would be equal, no?