PonyFans.com

Pony4Life wrote: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

The track wouldnt fit at pettus

Move soccer and track to a brand new stadium across Central. Tie it in with the existing restaurants and bars over there and you have a pretty nice little scene. Build a semi below ground IPF at existing Westcott to reduce potential sightline impact. New natatorium complex in its existing location.

ponyboy wrote:Move soccer and track to a brand new stadium across Central. Tie it in with the existing restaurants and bars over there and you have a pretty nice little scene. Build a semi below ground IPF at existing Westcott to reduce potential sightline impact. New natatorium complex in its existing location.

That is probably the most likely end result. Finding the space across central will be $$$ expensive tho

Actually - I might take that back. Finding a place for the new track is near impossible. Its basically the size of Ford...

This problem just shows why there is no easy solution here

SMUfrat wrote:

ponyboy wrote:Move soccer and track to a brand new stadium across Central. Tie it in with the existing restaurants and bars over there and you have a pretty nice little scene. Build a semi below ground IPF at existing Westcott to reduce potential sightline impact. New natatorium complex in its existing location.

That is probably the most likely end result. Finding the space across central will be $$$ expensive tho

Everything would be expensive:

- Relocating and building new Soccer Stadium with Track & Field somewhere with sufficient acerage.
- Building a competitive IPF (more so, if you wish to put the playing surface below ground level, as suggested.)
- Building new Natatorium on existing site or new location.

The current FB practice field appears too small for any alternative use, except Aquatic Center.

SMUfrat wrote:That is probably the most likely end result. Finding the space across central will be $$$ expensive tho

Would it? SMU built a track throwing "field" over there and owns the parking lot to what once was the UA Cine movie theater. I wonder if those two, combined, would be enough space?

Look at google maps or google earth...

Then imagine placing the track somewhere over 75... Unless buildings are torn down, there isnt the room.

No reason track can't go at a remote site like golf or equestrian. Find a remote site, build it right.

Same with swimming. Wouldn't they prefer a top of the line site you drive to rather than a second class facility on campus?

Hell, move soccer to the cotton bowl. First class facility that had a world cup not long ago. Also we can market easier to the soccer-loving Hispanics down there easier like we should be doing. 'Dallas' Team not just HP's team right?

SDSU has their soccer field on top of a parking garage. Put our new one on top of the IPF. It would be a great home field advantage too because the other teams would be freaked out but we would be used to it.

As for the track, put a small one somewhere and just run more laps!

I mentioned this before, but I heard from two coaches that the IPF would be where the Parking garage is north of the soccer field. In other words, they would use the structure and convert it to the IPF … it would also include a speed Lab. This comment was made when SO was still here. I have not asked for an update since then … not sure where that idea still stands.

Why not dig out the current practice field like you would a parking garage and go down with the IPF …. Either make it a one story building from outside appearance …. Or, dig a little deeper, make the roof the current practice facility and still have the outdoor one on top of it. Could be costly, but kind of unique and saves space.

Below ground ipf where existing track - build new track above grnd

The savings on ac/heat will payback in million yrs

I suck at math and know nothing about architecture, but I still think you could put an IPF on the area next to Ford where the current football practice fields are, and then leave soccer where they are now. The structure itself could just be a shell surrounding the field outfitted in SMU brick. Remember, the IPF itself doesnt need to be a full 120 yard field...I think TCU's IPF is 100 yards long total. Then you could leave soccer & track where they're at and upgrade that stadium.

PSCA wrote:I mentioned this before, but I heard from two coaches that the IPF would be where the Parking garage is north of the soccer field. In other words, they would use the structure and convert it to the IPF … it would also include a speed Lab. This comment was made when SO was still here. I have not asked for an update since then … not sure where that idea still stands.

where would people park for Moody though? I think a lot of students use that lot as well, I imagine.

PSCA wrote:I mentioned this before, but I heard from two coaches that the IPF would be where the Parking garage is north of the soccer field. In other words, they would use the structure and convert it to the IPF … it would also include a speed Lab. This comment was made when SO was still here. I have not asked for an update since then … not sure where that idea still stands.

The structural layout for a parking garage is totally different from that required for an IPF. They would have to tear it down and start over to put an IPF there. Besides that, they just built that garage a few years ago. I think your coaches were having wet dreams or pulling your leg.