Construction of the IPF

[dpdoughbird06]

this argument makes perfect sense to me .. and helps us stay within budget !!

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I’m curious what building codes are as far as restroom requirements for the bubble. They want to rent it out to the public when not in use by ISU, which - if it’s even allowed - would mean opening (and staffing) Kaufman or Horton at such times.

As a bar owner/restaurateur, I obviously can’t tell staff and customers “go to La Bamba’s” when nature calls (although they do have the highest pressure toilet flush in town…) so I’d be surprised if a facility this size can be built without restrooms, but who knows?

Horton is also not the most ADA-friendly facility, so Kaufman/Hancock would have to serve as restrooms for the indoor. The latest requirements for new construction and remodels require a 5 or 6-foot turning square of open space for wheelchairs to maneuver, so even Hancock and Kaufman - having been build over a decade ago under previous codes - may not comply with the latest changes (which is fine, until you seek to extend its use to cover a new facility).

 

[fourthandshort]

I’m curious what building codes are as far as restroom requirements for the bubble. They want to rent it out to the public when not in use by ISU, which - if it’s even allowed - would mean opening (and staffing) Kaufman or Horton at such times.

As a bar owner/restaurateur, I obviously can’t tell staff and customers “go to La Bamba’s” when nature calls (although they do have the highest pressure toilet flush in town…) so I’d be surprised if a facility this size can be built without restrooms, but who knows?

Horton is also not the most ADA-friendly facility, so Kaufman/Hancock would have to serve as restrooms for the indoor. The latest requirements for new construction and remodels require a 5 or 6-foot turning square of open space for wheelchairs to maneuver, so even Hancock and Kaufman - having been build over a decade ago under previous codes - may not comply with the latest changes (which is fine, until you seek to extend its use to cover a new facility).

all above my pay grade .. which is why I consulted George Constanza

 

[Dmills]

I was curious on the feasibility of deflating the bubble and constructing a brick and mortar facility in the future. I would imagine the foundation was built to support that. I decided to take a look at NDSU who had a bubble prior to their new practice facility. I looked to see if they built their practice facility over the existing turf and they did not. I didn't realize (or I forgot) that their old bubble was a temporary bubble that went over the soccer game field. That was the case until 2022. While their new structure is impressive, our current situation is better than theirs was 2 years ago as far as a practice field goes. They did obviously have the FargoDome as well to practice in, if needed.

 

[fourthandshort]

I was curious on the feasibility of deflating the bubble and constructing a brick and mortar facility in the future. I would imagine the foundation was built to support that. I decided to take a look at NDSU who had a bubble prior to their new practice facility. I looked to see if they built their practice facility over the existing turf and they did not. I didn't realize (or I forgot) that their old bubble was a temporary bubble that went over the soccer game field. That was the case until 2022. While their new structure is impressive, our current situation is better than theirs was 2 years ago as far as a practice field goes. They did obviously have the FargoDome as well to practice in, if needed.

Good question ... but foundations are where all the site prep work is, so I don't imagine they did a dual purpose foundation for bubble or brick .. thats more time and money. But that's just my presumption.

Given everything going on with college football and our program results (fans, donors, win-loss, etc) .. I think this bubble is our long term solution, and I'm 98% ok with this.

 

[BJJ guy]

The bubble is miles ahead of what most FCS schools have. Heck, Montana State even has to practice outside and their stadium, facilities, and fan support are way ahead of ours. I don’t see many kids at this level basing their decision on whether an indoor facility is a permanent or bubble type structure.

 

[cicada_jimmy01]

I haven't seen it in person yet, so just curious. Are there any type of facilities (trainer's room/bathroom/equipment, etc.) inside or attached to the IPF or would they still use Kaufman/Horton for all that?

There were bathrooms (I'm not sure how big exactly) in the initial drawings but they were cut out for cost purposes

 

[cicada_jimmy01]

The tone of the article suggested to me that there is more to come. As is the case in so many of these situation, it would be interesting to know who knew what, and when did they know it.

I believe the accountants use the term “revenue recognition” when determining what goes on the financial statements. It is hard to imagine that anyone other than the CFO could post (or unpost) $3MM. If someone knew that the $3-6MM had evaporated and failed to immediately advise the Board of Trustees, that might come close to a criminal matter.

Upper management in Advancement was advised to ditch the Rossi pledge prior to the 22 audit but decided to keep it. An obviously poor decision in hindsight. This is a fact and if you want to know more you can message me.

Gift accounting and actual accounting are very different. Gift accounting is much looser there is no revenue recognition they can basically do what they want with gift accounting. When you see the headline "ISU raises xx million dollars this year" you have to understand a lot of that amount is not audited.

 

[Reggie Redbird]

Upper management in Advancement was advised to ditch the Rossi pledge prior to the 22 audit but decided to keep it. An obviously poor decision in hindsight. This is a fact and if you want to know more you can message me.

Gift accounting and actual accounting are very different. Gift accounting is much looser there is no revenue recognition they can basically do what they want with gift accounting. When you see the headline "ISU raises xx million dollars this year" you have to understand a lot of that amount is not audited.

You are spot on. Development staff will claim nearly anything in that total makes their figures look good. That largely ignores what impacts the day-to-day operations: cash received.

That is not to say that pledged gifts aren’t important. Illinois has a lot of mail net coming in that was planned decades ago. In 10-20-30 years, we’ll reap more of those too. However, athletics has had some tough times with major facilities gifts.

One can understand why Brennan and Mulhauser pushed those gifts. They can go to their next employers and point to raising $X and building Y facility. Will that next employer do their due diligence or hire a competent search firm to look into what the results really were?

There is no reason ground should have broke on that facility without at least having started receiving parts of those major gifts. Now the university will need to reallocate money from other projects to cover the debt service or expend significant resources trying to cultivate major donors or many donors to cover the massive shortfall in IPF costs.

I am happy we have an IPF, but it’s important to learn a lesson from this to what the opportunity cost will be. I can’t see how that doesn’t involve having to allocate all CEFCU naming rights funds to help cover the shortfall, then either raising millions more or selling the rights again in 10 years.

 

[Dmills]

SIU making moves

 

[BJJ guy]

No idea why you would do that instead of a bubble? I know the weather is milder down there, but still.

 

[Total Red]

SIU making moves

"plan that includes an indoor football practice facility"

kinda, sorta, but not really. It's a COVERED football practice facility. Indoors means walls. Minor detail.

 

[fourthandshort]

SIU making moves

my jury is still out, giving how far south they are .. odd choice for sure , but I need to think this one over

 

[PurpleRedbird]

Grew up down there. Not really that much warmer than here. They get more ice down there so wonder if that would make a bubble out of the question. Don't know.

 

[fourthandshort]

No idea why you would do that instead of a bubble? I know the weather is milder down there, but still.

all I got is this .. it is cheaper than full brick & mortar, and much more tornado-proof than a bubble. Note when you look at their stadium ... basically an erector set, but very practical from a cost perspective.

I'll give them credit ... they are trying to move forward but recognize their limitations. And they have also been much more competitive consistently of late .. other than their coaches boneheaded decisions on the last drive against Idaho last week, to milk the clock, instead of trying to get a shorter FG for their weak backup kicker !!!

But I digress ... again.

 

[fourthandshort]

I’m curious what building codes are as far as restroom requirements for the bubble. They want to rent it out to the public when not in use by ISU, which - if it’s even allowed - would mean opening (and staffing) Kaufman or Horton at such times.

As a bar owner/restaurateur, I obviously can’t tell staff and customers “go to La Bamba’s” when nature calls (although they do have the highest pressure toilet flush in town…) so I’d be surprised if a facility this size can be built without restrooms, but who knows?

Horton is also not the most ADA-friendly facility, so Kaufman/Hancock would have to serve as restrooms for the indoor. The latest requirements for new construction and remodels require a 5 or 6-foot turning square of open space for wheelchairs to maneuver, so even Hancock and Kaufman - having been build over a decade ago under previous codes - may not comply with the latest changes (which is fine, until you seek to extend its use to cover a new facility).

Isn't Kaufman the only thing holding up the west side stands .. and vice versa ??

p.s. might be a good "loophole" in the whole compliance with latest codes dilemma.

 

[Bird Friend]

SIU making moves

I think you can get one of those buildings from Morton Buildings.

 

[Total Red]

Isn't Kaufman the only thing holding up the west side stands .. and vice versa ??

Horton is attached to the west stands.

 

[BJJ guy]

Regardless of how the whole IPF thing went down, it’s great to see that they are able to use it now.

 

[fourthandshort]

Regardless of how the whole IPF thing went down, it’s great to see that they are able to use it now.

real surface with real footing is such a big thing during offseason when youre stuck inside for 5 months, especially for all position groups outside of DL and OL. Horton was in no way remotely similar or adequate surface.

 

[cubird]

Coach said the IPF will really help the passing game. It will be more ready when Spring practice starts.