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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on May 18, 2016 18:54:07 GMT -5
rickii, looking at the rest of the campus in Google satellite, lots of cars in the lots, so the imagery is likely about this time in May. The dead spots are possibly crab grass or other annual grass that died off. In other years, with commencement, you couldn't reseed until early June, which is late. So the new grass likely would get torn up during the season. Which reminds me, with Fitton under construction, where is graduation this year....or was it already held ? At the DCU Center this year and next. That's because the Hart is not available in the event of inclement weather. The rated seated capacity of the NFH is 6,370, allowing for 30 percent of the floor area being used for circulation, and each seated person occupying 7 sq ft. .
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Post by crusader12 on May 19, 2016 7:52:51 GMT -5
I know that handicap accessibility at Fitton has held back major renovations to the stadium. One improvement (lights, locker rooms etc.) and HC would have to pour much more money in to bring it up to code. However, new grass surface does not seem to trigger this mandate. If they used turf do we think that would have been considered an upgrade and would force HC to bring Fitton up to code?
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Post by Dean Wormer on May 19, 2016 8:59:58 GMT -5
Moved posts related to graduation to a new thread under General HC discussion.
Won't do this often as we love to digress on Crossports, but felt this needed it's own thread as more will be discussed as graduation nears.
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Post by rgs318 on May 19, 2016 9:00:00 GMT -5
I know that handicap accessibility at Fitton has held back major renovations to the stadium. One improvement (lights, locker rooms etc.) and HC would have to pour much more money in to bring it up to code. However, new grass surface does not seem to trigger this mandate. If they used turf do we think that would have been considered an upgrade and would force HC to bring Fitton up to code? I must confess that I do not understand why this seems to have gone on for so long. A local high school had no press box for a few years because of the need to make it accessible when new stands were installed and an elevator was just too costly, especially since no one who had ever used the press box had needed one. The town eventually agreed to waive that requirement and the new res box is a nice one. Is making the overall stadium handicapped accessible really something HC does to want to do?
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Post by crusader12 on May 19, 2016 9:52:15 GMT -5
I know that handicap accessibility at Fitton has held back major renovations to the stadium. One improvement (lights, locker rooms etc.) and HC would have to pour much more money in to bring it up to code. However, new grass surface does not seem to trigger this mandate. If they used turf do we think that would have been considered an upgrade and would force HC to bring Fitton up to code? I must confess that I do not understand why this seems to have gone on for so long. A local high school had no press box for a few years because of the need to make it accessible when new stands were installed and an elevator was just too costly, especially since no one who had ever used the press box had needed one. The town eventually agreed to waive that requirement and the new res box is a nice one. Is making the overall stadium handicapped accessible really something HC does to want to do? I'm with you. My guess is at some point in the future they will do a complete overhaul of the stadium (will cost a lot of money) and would rather not do it peace-meal. With updates to Hart and the $400M campaign HC is on, my guess is they want to hold off on Fitton until at least the campaign is over.
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Post by CHC8485 on May 19, 2016 13:10:13 GMT -5
And just like that, the twitter-verse responds ...
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Post by gks on May 19, 2016 14:01:48 GMT -5
Incorporate game day locker rooms into the baseball field. Plenty of room under the stands. Should have done infrastructure for lights when the baseball field was built by Tornadoes. Big missed opportunity when work was already being done. Grass at Fitton has been a horror show last couple of years. Glad to see something being done.
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on May 19, 2016 14:35:55 GMT -5
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Post by matunuck on May 19, 2016 15:07:44 GMT -5
Nate Pine has stated that Fitton will need a significant upgrade down the line. How far down? Good question.
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Post by rgs318 on May 19, 2016 16:01:18 GMT -5
Nate Pine has stated that Fitton will need a significant upgrade down the line. How far down? Good question. Hopefully in my lifetime...I won't hold my breath.
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Post by sarasota on May 19, 2016 16:46:09 GMT -5
To be clear.....it's grass. Despite all the disclaimers, including from the fball coach, who after all is an employee, it is clear to me that TPTB do not want to have the utilization of Fitton--including for fball games--significantly increased. It cannot be simply a money consideration. The new grass is throwing good money after bad. Smelly latrines, inadequate concessions, high cost maintenance of grass, embarrassing locker room for visiting teams, lack of permanent lighting despite many other lighted fields on campus, embarrassing press box, etc. The only thing improved--and done well--was the public address system, which is excellent. The only rational reason for this neglect is that TPTB don't want maximum utilization there.
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Post by hcgrad94 on May 19, 2016 19:36:08 GMT -5
When a facility can only be used for football games and Commencement without major changes, what's the point?
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Post by lou on May 19, 2016 20:18:52 GMT -5
Strangely enough, I really enjoy watching football at Fitton Field
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Post by A Clock Tower Purple on May 19, 2016 21:12:27 GMT -5
To be clear.....it's grass. Despite all the disclaimers, including from the fball coach, who after all is an employee, it is clear to me that TPTB do not want to have the utilization of Fitton--including for fball games--significantly increased. It cannot be simply a money consideration. The new grass is throwing good money after bad. Smelly latrines, inadequate concessions, high cost maintenance of grass, embarrassing locker room for visiting teams, lack of permanent lighting despite many other lighted fields on campus, embarrassing press box, etc. The only thing improved--and done well--was the public address system, which is excellent. The only rational reason for this neglect is that TPTB don't want maximum utilization there. If anyone in radio booth in the press box has to leave to hit the head or to grab a soft 'zel - everyone to his left has to get up and go out the door so he can pass by.
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Post by sarasota on May 19, 2016 21:54:30 GMT -5
Its potential uses would increase if it were upgraded.
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Post by hcgrad94 on May 20, 2016 5:53:48 GMT -5
Its potential uses would increase if it were upgraded. You can't play any other sports on that field - it's too small.
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Post by sader1970 on May 20, 2016 6:51:09 GMT -5
What other sports, besides football, would someone want to play on Fitton Field? There is a (extremely) nice soccer stadium on top of the hill. I believe they play lax, field hockey up behind the Hart Center as well. The baseball field is gorgeous for our level of play. The softball field was created a few years back on Freshman Field. The Hart Center is being renovated. What am I missing? Isn't a football stadium for football? I guess if you wanted it for an outdoor concert, you could still use it for that with temporary lighting at night, just like we have used for night football games. Once the Luth AC is finished, graduations will again be done on Fitton Field.
I totally support that the stadium needs an upgrade to the bathrooms and locker rooms and a nice big jumbotron and permanent lights for night games would be great. All those are nice-to-haves and await a rich alum or friend of the program to finance these things. Like, lou, I enjoy watching football games at Fitton and have for years. I bring my folding stadium seat and my wife and I enjoy the company of "the regulars" who watch with us. Even better when our team wins. Even better, better when we beat Harvard or Colgate.
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Post by joe on May 20, 2016 9:43:33 GMT -5
Hey if we're going for an old school approach where only football is played at Fitton and with the grass we're planning to tout our field as the best natural grass venue to watch football in the Northeast I am all for it. . . If this is the approach.
I also am one who thinks Fitton is a great place to watch a football game as it is. Although the ancillary facilities are worn, the bowl itself is always meticulously clean and new-looking, and with great sightlines all around. I have been saying ad nauseum all we need is to put some lipstick on the old dame.
1st stage - Lights, jumbotron, visitor side TV shelter (for "home side" game day TV optics) and more purple coverings for the unused seats which can be removed on game day based on actual attendance.
2nd stage - Locker room upgrade and real seat backs on the home side.
3rd stage - Close in the exposed endzone. Someone said earlier, some sort of red brick border. I agree, and high and with arches, and with some wrought iron details and ivy so it Fitton looks a little more "grown-in." Have a wall of fame of some sort.
4th stage - "Football House" for all meetings, practices, and work-outs, attached to Fitton with a winter bubble. See Harvard. This may be a non-starter given the Hart renovations and the natural grass, unless the latter is just a temporizing measure.
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Post by sarasota on May 20, 2016 9:58:38 GMT -5
I'm thinking also of non-sporting events that could draw locals to the stadium, get them used to going to the campus--to attend sporting events! There is no similar venue in the whole area. It could help enhance the relationship between HC and the community.
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Post by Wormtown Railers Fan on May 20, 2016 10:23:49 GMT -5
Loosen up the tail gaiting restrictions. At least allow a couple beers after the game.
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Post by sarasota on May 20, 2016 13:48:34 GMT -5
Do they serve wine--or beer--in Ciampi?
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Post by rgs318 on May 21, 2016 6:19:53 GMT -5
Loosen up the tail gaiting restrictions. At least allow a couple beers after the game. With the exception of the designated driver, I am sure.
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Post by hc6774 on May 21, 2016 6:44:14 GMT -5
Do they serve wine--or beer--in Ciampi? not when I have eaten lunch there...but at a cocktail party off campus a former rector of the community remarked that one of his main duties is to ensure selection of wine in the house.
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on May 21, 2016 7:50:50 GMT -5
Any Chateau d'Yquem perhaps? _____________________________
On the other board we discussed potential renovations ad nauseum.
As HCGrad94 has repeatedly reminded, if HC undertakes major renovations, then ADA requirements come to bear, and one is talking about spending very substantial sums.
So any improvements will be incremental, each limited in scale. None will involve the stands, or enlarging the field area.
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Post by rgs318 on May 21, 2016 9:22:14 GMT -5
Is it just me, or do the ADA requirements (for "reasonable" accommodation) seem to be delaying actually doing anything to help people with disabilities? If one improvement means ALL must now come up to code, but ignoring everything things can continue as is, it would seem only to hinder actually addressing equal access.
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