Looking forward to 2011?
The UCLA men's basketball team will play all of its games away from Pauley Pavilion as it will be closed for the season during construction. The teams will probably play at the Forum, Staples Center and Honda Center. He's hoping to get the USC-UCLA games at Staples Center. Of course, scheduling games at Staples Center gets tricky because of all of regular tenants like the Lakers, Clippers and Kings.
``We'll probably play some of our non-conference games (at Staples Center),'' Guerrero said. ``It'd be great to get the USC game there. I think it would be fantastic to fill it.''
"He's hoping to get the USC-UCLA games at Staples Center."
Who are you referring to? Guerrero? There's no attribution for that quote....
You will probably be playing your games at the forum unless it is plowed under.
I think UCLA should just skip its nonconference schedule that year. Seriously, can you image how pathetic it's going to be with 5,500 fans at the Forum for UCLA-Metro State in December?
Trust me, Guerrero and Howland will screw this up. This could be the best marketing road show ever...games in San Diego, Anaheim, Bakersfield, Fresno, San Francisco, Las Vegas...but they won't do it. They'll continue the parade of cupcakes and make a bad situation worse.
I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH I HATE THE RENOVATION PLAN! Sorry to shout, but I GUARANTEE UCLA is going to dump a ton of money into this and not even come close to solving the problem.
USC does well at the Staples Center.
Why not schedule a few games at the NEW Citizens Bank Arena at Ontario (off the 10 Freeway)? There's hardly anything scheduled there (other than concerts and minor league hockey). I'm certain the local alumni in the Inland Empire would attend games, no matter who UCLA is playing. Plus, a LOT of potential recruits live around that area.
So do they have all the money yet or they're just hoping it comes in by 2011?
Steve
I was going to ask the same question as Steve.
Since they only have 28% of the cost in pledges (52M of 185M), what happens if it's not there by 2011? It's nice to have dreams - and blueprints to show recruits - but that doesn't make it happen.
Actually, they are 52.5% of the way there. $25M is coming from the University and $60M is financed. $100M is the private pledge target. I seriously doubt they will not be able to raise the difference. Remember, the fund raising was 'private' until they hit the 50% mark. All along, the Athletic Department has said it would enter the 'public' phase once that percent had been reached. There are plenty of options at their disposal. I am sure they have two or three contingency plans. One may be corporate naming rights. Another may include personal seat licenses. Another may be increasing the Wooden Athletic Fund donations. Etc. It is essential that Pauley is revamped if UCLA hoops is to remain competitive. Apparently, one-and-done'ers like 'bling' arenas to showcase their talenst for 1 year. (Otherwise, they go to Duke of UNC).
As for the plans themselves, it is an OK remodel. For $185M, there is going to be substantial infrastructure added. It appears as if they are going "underground" on the North side of Pauley adjacent to the IM field to add this 60,000 of locker rooms, media rooms, etc. etc. The extra toilets will be nice, too. But, there will not be a drastic change in the above ground arena. New bowl, seats, electronics, sounds system, and concessions. I am mixed. I think for $185M, a tear down and rebuild could have been done. Galen cost what -- $165M? Then again, to keep some of the feel of the old Pauley will be nice for tradition sake.
I agree with Point Spread that they should play a game (probably non-conference during winter break) at the new Ontario arena. It is a beautiful arena and I'm sure there is a large fanbase in the IE that can't make it to Pauley. If I remember correctly it was the only Lakers preseason game to actually sell out.
Pakiruin where are you? It's ok I have your address.
Tradition comes from continued excellence. People wondered whether the Boston mystique would disappear with the new arena. Now, fans clamor about how much better the new facilities are than the old Boston Garden. It's much more expensive to retrofit a building than to start over. So much money for a modest facelift. Pauley seats are terrible. The viewing angles are horrific compared to other places out there. I remember sitting near the TV camera area for an Oregon State game and I couldn't see squat. The TV camera was in my view. Slap lipstick on a pig and it's still a pig.
Maybe Floyd can hand Liewicke a bag of cash to make the staples center game happen?