IPF

[smustatesman]

It's on a cocktail napkin that Gerry carries around in his suit coat pocket

[SMU 86]

Does Hart even want an IPF?

[couch 'em]

What does Hart want?

[mrydel]

Ya gotta have Hart.

[fifty]

We need the IPF but there is too much construction on campus right now. You can't even get through campus on SMU blvd or University blvd due to construction.
Why is there almost 0 progress on the tennis facility?
Also, I don't understand why people say how great SMU's athletic facilities are. Am I missing something? Dedman is far nicer than any of our "athletic facilities".

[Water Pony]

We need the IPF but there is too much construction on campus right now. You can't even get through campus on SMU blvd or University blvd due to construction.
Why is there almost 0 progress on the tennis facility?
Also, I don't understand why people say how great SMU's athletic facilities are. Am I missing something? Dedman is far nicer than any of our "athletic facilities".

Not to mention that the decision to fund a separate swimming pool for the Dedman had the unintended consequence of losing a possible and partial funding source for a new natatorium. Short sighted.

[SMU 86]

Hart might be thinking that they got along fine without an IPF at UT Chattanooga so why should SMU need one. By the way, Hart was interviewed and said that he has no current plans for an IPF.

[SMU_Alumni11]

We need the IPF but there is too much construction on campus right now. You can't even get through campus on SMU blvd or University blvd due to construction.
Why is there almost 0 progress on the tennis facility?
Also, I don't understand why people say how great SMU's athletic facilities are. Am I missing something? Dedman is far nicer than any of our "athletic facilities".

The rec center? If this is true we desperately need an upgrade. I laughed at go much they charge for alumni membership there. Ill stick with same quality 24 for a much lower price lol.

[Grant Carter]

Hart might be thinking that they got along fine without an IPF at UT Chattanooga so why should SMU need one. By the way, Hart was interviewed and said that he has no current plans for an IPF.

Where was that interview? I think I missed it.

[couch 'em]

Hart might be thinking that they got along fine without an IPF at UT Chattanooga so why should SMU need one. By the way, Hart was interviewed and said that he has no current plans for an IPF.

Where was that interview? I think I missed it.

Wasn't it on rivals? I remember it. Said there are no plans for an IPF at this time.

[SMU 86]

Hart might be thinking that they got along fine without an IPF at UT Chattanooga so why should SMU need one. By the way, Hart was interviewed and said that he has no current plans for an IPF.

Where was that interview? I think I missed it.

Wasn't it on rivals? I remember it. Said there are no plans for an IPF at this time.

That was it.

[ponyboy]

SMU already has an IPF, it is located at Highland Park High School.

That's reserved for the Green Bay Packers.

[SMUfrat]

So here is the deal with the IPF:

I have a friend that works at BECK and he is in the know somewhat to what is going on for the IPF.

1. Yes, SMU is currently trying to figure out where to put the IPF
2. Yes SMU intends to rebuild the Natatorium - before the IPF? Depends...

SMU is trying to decide where they can even put the IPF. The problem with removing Wescott field is the track... there is not a single logical place the track can go. If you keep it - and put the IPF in the middle - the structure that would surround both would be atrociuous.

So right now - SMU has NO IDEA where the IPF is going. One possible spot is where the intramural fields sit. There is just enough room there - but it would block view of the new moody/miller center.

Another options is moving the natatorium to another spot, and squeezing the IPF in there - tight fit - in consideration but not probable.

There just isnt a perfect place for it. BUT... SMU is working to figure it out. I hope they can soon. My guess is - once the residential commons and moody are done, they will start this planning a little more. Here is the order i would guess.

Going on currently (1 year timeframe):
* 5 Residential Commons * Bush library * Moody * Streets surrounding * Dublin Garage * Band Hall * Cafateria * Tennis Courts * Data center

2-3 years:
* Fondren Library redo * New health center * Soccer Field relocation OR reno * IPF * Clements Hall reno * Hyer hall reno * Mockingbird Plaza redo

4-7 years:
* New education building * New law school building * Meadows Redo * Ford expansion * Natatorium Redo

10 years:
* New frat houses *additional school added *campus growth - land purchase near communter lot

[Water Pony]

Thanks for the recap. SMU facility needs continue well into the future and the possible linkage between a new natatorium and a IPF is interesting, if for no other reason than to jointly fund and/or co-locate both for economic/site purposes.

As for a IPF being sited where Perkins Natatorium is today, you would need to demo the outdoor pool, as well, since more land is required. Today, the logic has been to build the new aquatic center there and tie indoor and outdoor facilities together.

The perfect location for IPF is Westcott, but relocating the Track & Field and Soccer Field is impractical due to the large footprint required for both.

In summary, something has to move across the Central Expressway, e.g. IPF (impractical?), Soccer (maybe), Swimming & Diving (maybe), Track & Field (impractical). And, building something on current practice field is too small for any of the above, except Swimming & Diving. Hmm?

With the right architecture and lower height requirements, this would work.

[Pony4Life]

One idea that has been floated around on here is putting the IPF and an adjoining outdoor practice field where Westcott is now, running across the existing soccer field and extending in to the parking lot behind the freshman dorms. Then the soccer field and track would move to the current Pettus football practice fields.

Does anyone have a clear answer why this wouldn't work? I know there's the constant worry about bricking it in to match the rest of the campus architecture, and University Park might have some hangups about the height of the thing, but if they OK'ed the new dorms, a soccer/track facility should be easy, shouldn't it?

Thanks