KeaneyBlue - The URI Basketball Forum

URI Athletic and Recreation Facilities Advanced Planning – The Governor recommends $250,000 in University and College Funds to plan for removal or rehabilitation of aged and decayed facilities including the Slade Outdoor Track and Field, the Natatorium, and the grandstands at Meade Stadium. An architectural and engineering firm would be engaged in FY 2017.

Progress!

So here's an interesting factoid that somehow I never heard during my time at URI or since. Tootell is named after Fred Tootell who won the gold medal in the 1924 Paris Olympics in the hammer throw, becoming the first American-born athlete to do so. He became a coach at URI in 1925 and lasted for 30 years. He was also the AD from 56-62.

Rhowdy-is there an official release on this?

That was in the Governor's proposed capital budget submitted to the General Assembly for fiscal year 2017. I don't know if the General Assembly passed it. The URI stuff can be found on page 42 of the document/63 of the PDF, with the relevant passage I quoted found on page 46 of the document/67 of the PDF.

http://www.omb.ri.gov/documents/Prior%2 ... Budget.pdf

Saw the installation the other day. Look beautiful!

Wow-a lot of FBers stayed on campus to work out this summer.
I hope the field at Meade looks as good.

Meade looks beautiful. There was a big ESPN televised ultimate frisbee championship a few weeks ago.

ATP-really?? Did they put new turf in? Reseed?

For the practice field, they rolled in new sod and maybe new sprinkler system.

For Meade, it just looked really good after essentially getting no foot traffic for months and all the tender loving care the department could throw at it.

EDIT! I was watching from field level in the parking lot across the street while my 8 month old was sleeping. At that angle, the grass looked perfect.

However, you can watch the US Open Ultimate Frisbee competition from Fourth of July weekend on WatchESPN.com. There were some brown spots near midfield. By football season it will be fine, since that's better grass growing conditions.

Any improvement is an improvement.

Meade field has been terrible.
Will believe it when I see it.
You would thinks it is something they have more control over.

Considering we have a turf program, it should be pristine!

Confirming ATP, went by Meade today and the field was in the best shape in years. Please stay off the grass!

When I drove by this weekend I thought it looked good too, but didn't linger so I didn't want to say anything on the topic.

From elevation you see some rough areas, but most of the field is in very good condition.

If anyone wants to get a look at Meade's field up close, and has children between 9-14, the Patriots alumni are hosting a clinic on Thursday:

http://www.patriotsalumni.com/football-for-you-new/

RhowdyRam02 wrote:URI Athletic and Recreation Facilities Advanced Planning – The Governor recommends $250,000 in University and College Funds to plan for removal or rehabilitation of aged and decayed facilities including the Slade Outdoor Track and Field, the Natatorium, and the grandstands at Meade Stadium. An architectural and engineering firm would be engaged in FY 2017.

The Governor has released her latest capital budget, and this is still the plan.

RhowdyRam02 wrote:

RhowdyRam02 wrote:URI Athletic and Recreation Facilities Advanced Planning – The Governor recommends $250,000 in University and College Funds to plan for removal or rehabilitation of aged and decayed facilities including the Slade Outdoor Track and Field, the Natatorium, and the grandstands at Meade Stadium. An architectural and engineering firm would be engaged in FY 2017.

The Governor has released her latest capital budget, and this is still the plan.

This is kind of enormous news for the University, holy smokes.

Let's just hope this doesn't go the way that the fine arts building plans did.

Wow

I'm surprised that people are surprised. This is literally the same space we were at seven months ago when I started this thread

Any chance we see some of this money from the basketball teams run in the tournament go to some facilities upgrades for football? Meade Stadium perhaps? New practice field?

I hope not. We're not making enough to fix football's problems (Meade is a $20 million+ job), so if we move that money away from basketball we lose our chance to get basketball on another level plus we don't do enough to really improve football. That's a poor investment of resources.

RR2 is right....not happening.

Some of the money could go to areas that really need it, as long as that's not a lot of money like football needs.

Maybe down the road if we become a regular NCAAT participant.

I think the easiest way to fund a Meade improvement is to get it attached to any state spending on a new McCoy Stadium,though easiest is a relative term. Our donors can't afford it, our voters won't pass a bond initiative, and basketball will never make enough to fund it.

It seems that the new RI Senate President Ruggerio is open to helping the PawSox with a new stadium (see Projo Link below). The current Speaker of the House Mattiello had previously wanted to help with the downtown Providence stadium that ultimately fell through. It would therefore seem that the present state leaders have no issue in using taxpayer money for sports and entertainment for private entities (you could also add the P-Bruins and PC Basketball with the DDC to the list). Why then should URI, a state institution not get money for its athletic facilities? It is worth noting that the state picked up the majority of the tab for the 1998 McCoy Stadium renovation. The state support for McCoy Stadium was later used in part for justification for state financial support for the construction of the Ryan Center (which broke ground in 2000).


http://www.providencejournal.com/news/2 ... ox-stadium

Ruggerio wants anything that will help Laborers Union. I don't think the Laborers know how to get to Kingston.

Important to note the $250K recommended by Raimondo comes from University funds.
Not a red cent from state. Just grand standing (no pun intended). I confirmed.
The only way this happens is thru major capital campaign-school gives $10M,state matches (an example). Last one under Carruthers brought in over $100M. I don't think a bond would pass (slight chance). New track $4-5M,upgrades to Meade-$10M. Solid $15M right there.

HK-when you need to know!!

I'm not sure it is important to note that. For instance the same thing is being done in regards to Fine Arts.

"The Governor recommends expenditures of university funds totaling $56,930 in both FY 2017 and FY 2018 to complete advance planning efforts for a full-scale renovation of the URI Fine Arts Center"

It seems that it might be standard and a necessary part of the larger funding process.

The Fine Arts building is a crumbling disgrace and a much higher priority for our school than a football field.

hrstrat57 wrote:The Fine Arts building is a crumbling disgrace and a much higher priority for our school than a football field.

I agree wholeheartedly. That corner of campus between the Fine Arts building and the parking lot needs an overhaul both on its own merits and also due to the fact that that area is increasingly becoming a main entrance and exit point for our University. In terms of importance I would put that right at the top along with anything necessary to make sure the historic buildings on the Quad remain viable.

That said, we have to acknowledge that the East stands really aren't safe, are passed their useful life span, and any repairs made after the stands were condemned in 2009 could also be approaching the end of their life span. If we are going to continue fielding a football program as Thor has been adamant about then we must make massive repairs, totally redo the stands or find an alternate place to play our games. Continued inactivity is just no longer an option with the condition of those stands.

The new multipurpose facility Spartan Stadium at Castleton State should've been looked at. Soccer/football. Seriously awesome. Exactly what we need. Soccer also deserving of upgrade no? That building /stands coupled with the seats on the RC side maybe slightly increasing in number would get it done.

I'm renaming the East stands to the 6/10 Connector. I still say those stands are more of a priority and more affordable than the Fine Arts renovation. Not sure how athletics over academics looks to whoever's paying the bill, but the stand are needed more than the arts building. Safety concerns could put it over the edge.

The whole thing is getting out of hand.
Would a bond pass? Most think no?
What about a capital campaign? Ask state to match?

I'll take URI theater, music and art over our current football program all day....

Just sayin.....

hrstrat57 wrote:The new multipurpose facility Spartan Stadium at Castleton State should've been looked at. Soccer/football. Seriously awesome. Exactly what we need. Soccer also deserving of upgrade no? That building /stands coupled with the seats on the RC side maybe slightly increasing in number would get it done.

Soccer's facility is in good shape as far as I know. If you combined soccer and football the facility would have to have artificial turf to accommodate three teams in the fall and soccer sucks on turf. So I don't see soccer and football ever having a combined facility unless they're trying to hurt the soccer programs.

hrstrat57 wrote:I'll take URI theater, music and art over our current football program all day....

Just sayin.....

Weird. It's almost like academics should be more important than athletics at a college

hrstrat57 wrote:I'll take URI theater, music and art over our current football program all day....

Just sayin.....

Oh boy

RhowdyRam02 wrote:

hrstrat57 wrote:The new multipurpose facility Spartan Stadium at Castleton State should've been looked at. Soccer/football. Seriously awesome. Exactly what we need. Soccer also deserving of upgrade no? That building /stands coupled with the seats on the RC side maybe slightly increasing in number would get it done.

Soccer's facility is in good shape as far as I know. If you combined soccer and football the facility would have to have artificial turf to accommodate three teams in the fall and soccer sucks on turf. So I don't see soccer and football ever having a combined facility unless they're trying to hurt the soccer programs.

Yep I believe Castleton actually uses the stadium for all field sports. Fabulous facility I was astounded when we took our visit there. Crazy nice for D 3

Hrstat-take your first communion money and go donate to arts and sciences then. Be a nickel more than you spend on athletics.
Can use the $$ to start their own forum.

http://www.castletonsports.com/informat ... dium/index

Seems high school caliber to me. But Soccer Football should be combined, and that means the Site where Meade Field is , is too small.

Why should football and soccer be combined? How does that benefit any of the three sports? Why would we actively look to harm soccer when they already have proper facilities?

CT Rhody wrote:

RhowdyRam02 wrote:So here's an interesting factoid that somehow I never heard during my time at URI or since. Tootell is named after Fred Tootell who won the gold medal in the 1924 Paris Olympics in the hammer throw, becoming the first American-born athlete to do so. He became a coach at URI in 1925 and lasted for 30 years. He was also the AD from 56-62.

Hey, I know that guy! He also coached the US track and field (field component) during the Olympics in Germany. As my grandma used to tell me the story, he was the one that determined and raised the issue that Hitler's crony's were cheating with lesser weights during the weight competitions like shot put, hammer throw, etc.

RhowdyRam02 wrote:

RhowdyRam02 wrote:URI Athletic and Recreation Facilities Advanced Planning – The Governor recommends $250,000 in University and College Funds to plan for removal or rehabilitation of aged and decayed facilities including the Slade Outdoor Track and Field, the Natatorium, and the grandstands at Meade Stadium. An architectural and engineering firm would be engaged in FY 2017.

The Governor has released her latest capital budget, and this is still the plan.

I'm not sure this happened and this is more money looking into all of this or if the project was pushed back. Based on the wording of the Fine Arts portion I get the sense it was pushed back and is not additional funds. From the latest capital budget:

"URI Athletic and Recreation Facilities Advanced Planning – The Governor recommends $250,000 in FY 2018 university funds to engage a specialized architectural and engineering firm in planning for the removal or rehabilitation of outmoded and deteriorating athletic facilities, including the Slade Outdoor Track and Field, the Natatorium, and the grandstands at Meade Stadium."

RhowdyRam02 wrote:

RhowdyRam02 wrote:

RhowdyRam02 wrote:URI Athletic and Recreation Facilities Advanced Planning – The Governor recommends $250,000 in University and College Funds to plan for removal or rehabilitation of aged and decayed facilities including the Slade Outdoor Track and Field, the Natatorium, and the grandstands at Meade Stadium. An architectural and engineering firm would be engaged in FY 2017.

The Governor has released her latest capital budget, and this is still the plan.

I'm not sure this happened and this is more money looking into all of this or if the project was pushed back. Based on the wording of the Fine Arts portion I get the sense it was pushed back and is not additional funds. From the latest capital budget:

"URI Athletic and Recreation Facilities Advanced Planning – The Governor recommends $250,000 in FY 2018 university funds to engage a specialized architectural and engineering firm in planning for the removal or rehabilitation of outmoded and deteriorating athletic facilities, including the Slade Outdoor Track and Field, the Natatorium, and the grandstands at Meade Stadium."

Evaluation of the grandstands at Meade Stadium ==> Replace them.
There, done. Now, all I want for that assessment is $10 out of the $250K....

RhowdyRam02 wrote:

RhowdyRam02 wrote:

RhowdyRam02 wrote:URI Athletic and Recreation Facilities Advanced Planning – The Governor recommends $250,000 in University and College Funds to plan for removal or rehabilitation of aged and decayed facilities including the Slade Outdoor Track and Field, the Natatorium, and the grandstands at Meade Stadium. An architectural and engineering firm would be engaged in FY 2017.

The Governor has released her latest capital budget, and this is still the plan.

I'm not sure this happened and this is more money looking into all of this or if the project was pushed back. Based on the wording of the Fine Arts portion I get the sense it was pushed back and is not additional funds. From the latest capital budget:

"URI Athletic and Recreation Facilities Advanced Planning – The Governor recommends $250,000 in FY 2018 university funds to engage a specialized architectural and engineering firm in planning for the removal or rehabilitation of outmoded and deteriorating athletic facilities, including the Slade Outdoor Track and Field, the Natatorium, and the grandstands at Meade Stadium."

When Thorr was giving ESPN a tour of the Ryan Center (the video was on twitter a couple of weeks ago), everything looked great EXCEPT the view of Meade from the Ryan Center. I cringed at how 2nd rate it looked. The stands against the Ryan Center are new and I'm sure they look great, but you couldn't see them in that view.

"URI Athletic and Recreation Facilities Advanced Planning – The Governor recommends $250,000 in FY 2018 university funds to engage a specialized architectural and engineering firm in planning for the removal or rehabilitation of outmoded and deteriorating athletic facilities, including the Slade Outdoor Track and Field, the Natatorium, and the grandstands at Meade Stadium."

Very curious about the removal part of the "planning for the removal or rehabilitation of outmoded and deteriorating athletic facilities". Are they preparing to remove the natatorium? No need to remove the outdoor track as our track team consistently win's A-10's and obviously they are keeping the football team. Our state school near the ocean won't have a swim facility?

RhowdyRam02 wrote:I think the easiest way to fund a Meade improvement is to get it attached to any state spending on a new McCoy Stadium,though easiest is a relative term. Our donors can't afford it, our voters won't pass a bond initiative, and basketball will never make enough to fund it.

So as we know, Meade improvements weren't included in the new PawSox stadium deal, but that doesn't mean an opportunity doesn't exist, assuming the administration and boosters are ready to seize it. There is a growing school of thought that the PawSox will not accept the state's deal and will move to Worcester and the announcement is being delayed in an effort not to tank ticket sales this summer.

The state was already willing to fund, along with Pawtucket, $38 million of the cost for the new park. We probably need $20-30 million for a proper Meade revamp. Let's say students fund $1.5 million for the lights and turf allowing them to use the facility for intramurals. Next, earmark all state sales taxes collected from the campus and Emporium to the project just like they set up for the PawSox stadium. Could the University, athletic department, and boosters make up the difference to get this done?