JMU Bridgeforth Stadium construction webcam

[89Hen]

I think this is your Phase I...

[JMU2004]

I think this is your Phase I...

That is an old rendering. Here is the actual design

[89Hen]

That is an old rendering. Here is the actual design

That just looks a lot bigger than 25,000 to me.

[BlackFalkin]

Why hasnt there been any work done the past 2 days?

[bandl]

Why hasnt there been any work done the past 2 days?

June 3rd & 4th are religious holidays for Mennonites.

[JMU DJ]

That is an old rendering. Here is the actual design

That just looks a lot bigger than 25,000 to me.

I think the most addition is in the deck/endzone, I don't think there's any real expansion on the lower levels. Current capacity is around 15K, the deck and permanent end zone adds about 10K. Looks about right to me if you compare it to other large football stadiums with complete decks. The rendering of this deck makes it look smaller than a lot of the larger stadiums upper decks: UGA, Ohio state, Penn State, etc.

[BlackFalkin]

That just looks a lot bigger than 25,000 to me.

I think the most addition is in the deck/endzone, I don't think there's any real expansion on the lower levels. Current capacity is around 15K, the deck and permanent end zone adds about 10K. Looks about right to me if you compare it to other large football stadiums with complete decks. The rendering of this deck makes it look smaller than a lot of the larger stadiums upper decks: UGA, Ohio state, Penn State, etc.

The renderings are misleading.. JMUDJ is right, JMU already had 2 sideline & 1 endzone seating, when the lower part of the stadium is finished the cap. will probably be around 15k still... the real 'expansion' comes from the 2nd decks. IMO thats why they're only finishing one deck for now... to see how it goes.

[GannonFan]

I think the most addition is in the deck/endzone, I don't think there's any real expansion on the lower levels. Current capacity is around 15K, the deck and permanent end zone adds about 10K. Looks about right to me if you compare it to other large football stadiums with complete decks. The rendering of this deck makes it look smaller than a lot of the larger stadiums upper decks: UGA, Ohio state, Penn State, etc.

The renderings are misleading.. JMUDJ is right, JMU already had 2 sideline & 1 endzone seating, when the lower part of the stadium is finished the cap. will probably be around 15k still... the real 'expansion' comes from the 2nd decks. IMO thats why they're only finishing one deck for now... to see how it goes.

I agree too - the renderings make the place look ginormous, but then the reports are that the capacity will only be a shade under 25k. Obviously if they go to all 3 phases it really will be something, but the drawings make out the place to be much bigger than it initially will be.

[tribefan40]

ODU bashing AND a reason to point out even Towson beat Rhody! I love you man!

Well Andy, now that football season is over, at least you have Towson basketball to turn your attention to.

ODU switches the conversation from Football to Basketball in less than 25 posts. Might be a new record!

[DukeJack]

Yeah, Bridgeforth's permanent, non-end zone seating is roughly 13,500 between the two stands. Give or take 6750 for each side, times 3 for each stand and the upper deck, puts us at about 21000. The extended end zone seating has been said to be about 4000, which gives us 25k capacity.

[89Hen]

I think the most addition is in the deck/endzone, I don't think there's any real expansion on the lower levels. Current capacity is around 15K, the deck and permanent end zone adds about 10K. Looks about right to me if you compare it to other large football stadiums with complete decks. The rendering of this deck makes it look smaller than a lot of the larger stadiums upper decks: UGA, Ohio state, Penn State, etc.

I guess. I've always been pretty bad on judging capacity (insert punch line here). I know the seating in the new lower bowl is going to have a lot of chairs, which take up more room than bleachers. That could be part of it too. You will actually have less seating between the 40's in the lower bowl.

BTW, I rode down 81 two weeks ago and was pointing out the stadium to the folks in the car. Can't see much at 70mph through trees and the east stands though.

[JMU DJ]

BTW, I rode down 81 two weeks ago and was pointing out the stadium to the folks in the car. Can't see much at 70mph through trees and the east stands though.

If you're just driving by on 81 looking over, you'd be hard pressed to realize that was the football stadium considering the buildings that surround it, you can barely make out the stands. After the remodel though, no one will mistake it.

View from across the interstate:

[JMUDuke2002]

The renderings are misleading.. JMUDJ is right, JMU already had 2 sideline & 1 endzone seating, when the lower part of the stadium is finished the cap. will probably be around 15k still... the real 'expansion' comes from the 2nd decks. IMO thats why they're only finishing one deck for now... to see how it goes.

I agree too - the renderings make the place look ginormous, but then the reports are that the capacity will only be a shade under 25k. Obviously if they go to all 3 phases it really will be something, but the drawings make out the place to be much bigger than it initially will be.

The existing student section side of the stadium (~5,000) is actually smaller than the sideline that was just torn down. Using the seating estimates supplied by the architect, the new lower seating bowl that includes new endzone seating accounts for 12,238 and the upper deck accounts for 8,870. So, the new sections when complete will account for 21,000 seats for fans. So, contrary to what is frequently reported, actual capacity will be closer to 26,000.
http://www.moseleyprojects.com/ActivePa ... 3595243393" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Let's put it this way. The new phase will seat slightly less than Delaware Stadium's total capacity, yet only be half of the total stadium.

Anyway, people saying that it's huge has nothing to do with seating capacity but all to do with the size of the thing. If you are heading down 81, take some time to go over and look at it. Take a look at Oregon State's Reser Stadium addition. That will give you an idea of size. It is a large facility that is going to be the class of FCS, and will, in all honesty, be better than quite a few FBS facilities. I just hope it will have a profound effect on the football program and propel JMU to great heights. But, time will tell.

[GannonFan]

I agree too - the renderings make the place look ginormous, but then the reports are that the capacity will only be a shade under 25k. Obviously if they go to all 3 phases it really will be something, but the drawings make out the place to be much bigger than it initially will be.

The existing student section side of the stadium (~5,000) is actually smaller than the sideline that was just torn down. Using the seating estimates supplied by the architect, the new lower seating bowl that includes new endzone seating accounts for 12,238 and the upper deck accounts for 8,870. So, the new sections when complete will account for 21,000 seats for fans. So, contrary to what is frequently reported, actual capacity will be closer to 26,000.
http://www.moseleyprojects.com/ActivePa ... 3595243393" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Let's put it this way. The new phase will seat slightly less than Delaware Stadium's total capacity, yet only be half of the total stadium.

Anyway, people saying that it's huge has nothing to do with seating capacity but all to do with the size of the thing. If you are heading down 81, take some time to go over and look at it. Take a look at Oregon State's Reser Stadium addition. That will give you an idea of size. It is a large facility that is going to be the class of FCS, and will, in all honesty, be better than quite a few FBS facilities. I just hope it will have a profound effect on the football program and propel JMU to great heights. But, time will tell.

I've actually been to Oregon State's stadium - it's tall, but it's also pretty smallish. Trying to balance the steepness versus the slope is kinda tricky - you don't want it too steep (i.e. too tall) and you don't want the slope to be too flat (like Nickerson Field used to be on the home side). I'll have to see it when it's done. If it does anything to the program, however, it will be to move it to FBS territory - you don't build something like that (with the luxury amenities) to stay in FCS.

[BDKJMU]

I think the most addition is in the deck/endzone, I don't think there's any real expansion on the lower levels. Current capacity is around 15K, the deck and permanent end zone adds about 10K. Looks about right to me if you compare it to other large football stadiums with complete decks. The rendering of this deck makes it look smaller than a lot of the larger stadiums upper decks: UGA, Ohio state, Penn State, etc.

The renderings are misleading.. JMUDJ is right, JMU already had 2 sideline & 1 endzone seating, when the lower part of the stadium is finished the cap. will probably be around 15k still... the real 'expansion' comes from the 2nd decks. IMO thats why they're only finishing one deck for now... to see how it goes.

The 15.5k 08'-09' capacity didn't have the endzone corners bowled in. That should raise the lower level to around 17-18k would be my guess. That would leave 7-8k for the upper tier.

[89Hen]

Hey, I'm too lazy to reread the thread... what is the plan for seating for the 2010 season? Will the lower deck be ready?

[JMU2004]

every thing you see on the webcam will be ready.

temp seats will be brought in for the lower rows and endzone. Total capacity should be similiar to years past.

[BlackFalkin]

why no work being done? dont tell me today it a holiday for mennonites!

[JMU DJ]

why no work being done? dont tell me today it a holiday for mennonites!

Possible they are working under the stadium? Looking just a second ago, I saw a couple of guys in the club level seating. They are gone now, but there are people there doing something.

[mcveyrl]

http://www.jmu.edu/bridgeforthstadium/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Timeline was updated today to show what's going to be done in July. Looks like they are wrapping up and I would guess they will stop early to mid-August so the field can be uncovered and the team can practice a little bit on it.

Wouldn't it be a kick in the head if they uncovered the turf and it was just this molded, crusted mess? (or turned purple, Andy?).

[State Line Liquors]

If you are heading down 81, take some time to go over and look at it.

Ha! Yeah, if you just happen to be driving your 18 wheeler through the middle of nowhere this Summer, pull your rig over at the nearby Big Boy with the extra large parking lot for trucks and give the super large looking, yet remarkably small seating addition to Bridgeforth a once over.

[JMUDuke2002]

If you are heading down 81, take some time to go over and look at it.

Ha! Yeah, if you just happen to be driving your 18 wheeler through the middle of nowhere this Summer, pull your rig over at the nearby Big Boy with the extra large parking lot for trucks and give the super large looking, yet remarkably small seating addition to Bridgeforth a once over.

How's Delware's new stadium coming along...oh wait

[mcveyrl]

If you are heading down 81, take some time to go over and look at it.

Ha! Yeah, if you just happen to be driving your 18 wheeler through the middle of nowhere this Summer, pull your rig over at the nearby Big Boy with the extra large parking lot for trucks and give the super large looking, yet remarkably small seating addition to Bridgeforth a once over.

First, I haven't driven by it recently, but I don't think it's that big. You can't even see it from interstate...

Second, within a few years Harrisonburg will be a suburb of D.C....as will Newark...

[mcveyrl]

If you are heading down 81, take some time to go over and look at it.

Ha! Yeah, if you just happen to be driving your 18 wheeler through the middle of nowhere this Summer, pull your rig over at the nearby Big Boy with the extra large parking lot for trucks and give the super large looking, yet remarkably small seating addition to Bridgeforth a once over.

First, I haven't driven by it recently, but I don't think it's that big. You can't even see it from interstate...

Second, within a few years Harrisonburg will be a suburb of D.C....as will Newark...

[State Line Liquors]

Ha! Yeah, if you just happen to be driving your 18 wheeler through the middle of nowhere this Summer, pull your rig over at the nearby Big Boy with the extra large parking lot for trucks and give the super large looking, yet remarkably small seating addition to Bridgeforth a once over.

How's Delware's new stadium coming along...oh wait

Didn't you catch those fancy looking finalized and shovel ready Crayola blueprint sketches we just released and gabbed about for a couple weeks?

Anywho...if you happen by UD in your near future travels (and Newark is most assuredly a Summertime hotspot, swing by our AD's office and we'll have Bernard show you them. He might even be able to squeeze a few dollars out of you.