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It says that when they announced we were going to the BE, they were going to expand the stadium to a possible 65,000 (I know ridiculous). Now it's apparently in limbo even after doing fundraising but is still under long term plans.

Has or does anyone know anything about this?

Not going to criticize, but seems inefficient use of money to buy two billboard spaces right near each other going 183 east bound near 35 merge. I'm glad they are buying billboards but they should be smart with it, plus need more merchandising throughout entire metro tired of seeing frogs crap near me....

Pretty sure the 65,000 number is using a number June threw out in the media at that point. Sort of like when he said going to SMU costs $60,000 per semester.

The official plans take Ford to 51,600 through filling up the bowl and building an east side upper deck.

CalallenStang wrote:Pretty sure the 65,000 number is using a number June threw out in the media at that point. Sort of like when he said going to SMU costs $60,000 per semester.

The official plans take Ford to 51,600 through filling up the bowl and building an east side upper deck.

I just dont see why. Playing A&M was about the most fans we will ever bring into Ford. Maybe if we had several 10 win seasons in a row and played them again we could pack it with a little more than current capacity.

agreed. we can worry about expanding Ford once we can consistently fill the 32k seats already available. Unless/until that south end zone grassy slope is reguarly inhabited by SRO ticket holders, it's just not a good investment.

Hard to believe we will need to worry about expanding Ford........even playing a team with a fan base the size of A&M, it was an empty sellout.

PonySnob wrote:Hard to believe we will need to worry about expanding Ford........even playing a team with a fan base the size of A&M, it was an empty sellout.

It was a meaningless game with outrageous ticket prices. If you wanted a sell out, price should have been $50 sideline and $35 end zone. An empty seat never bought a drink and/or a hot dog and cheered for its team.

The only thing an empty seat does at SMU is return for the next game.

Very true.

Noooo, don't ever fill in the bowl! upper deck, more boxes, great, do it. But DO NOT FILL IN THE BOWL.... ever! the open end makes for an awesome college atmosphere!

smubrooks wrote:Noooo, don't ever fill in the bowl! upper deck, more boxes, great, do it. But DO NOT FILL IN THE BOWL.... ever! the open end makes for an awesome college atmosphere!

I agree. Upper deck and boxes should come before filling in the bowl, not after as it is in the plans. That's because boxes and an upper deck would generate more revenue than more endzone seats. Ford has too many endzone seats as it is.

I thought it was expandable to around 40,000 or so. Maybe someone could edit the Wikipedia page.

CalallenStang wrote:

smubrooks wrote:Noooo, don't ever fill in the bowl! upper deck, more boxes, great, do it. But DO NOT FILL IN THE BOWL.... ever! the open end makes for an awesome college atmosphere!

I agree. Upper deck and boxes should come before filling in the bowl, not after as it is in the plans. That's because boxes and an upper deck would generate more revenue than more endzone seats. Ford has too many endzone seats as it is.

Probably can't do decks not enough room especially with new dorms

SMU_Alumni11 wrote:

CalallenStang wrote:

smubrooks wrote:Noooo, don't ever fill in the bowl! upper deck, more boxes, great, do it. But DO NOT FILL IN THE BOWL.... ever! the open end makes for an awesome college atmosphere!

I agree. Upper deck and boxes should come before filling in the bowl, not after as it is in the plans. That's because boxes and an upper deck would generate more revenue than more endzone seats. Ford has too many endzone seats as it is.

Probably can't do decks not enough room especially with new dorms

No, it's in the plans. The road behind the east side is going to be moved (really replaced by the road on the other side of CVS) which would free up the necessary space for a future upper deck

The deck would be small and is currently planned to add 6,600 seats

Would an upper deck conflict at all with the UP building restrictions?

It would not be higher than the press box which obviously is already within the guidelines. Upper decks are more out than up. Like an awning.

38,600 + the grassy hill would be over 40,000. Only problem, if the deck is empty it will look terrible on television.