The Ideas Are Starting To Roll In

This past week, many supporters of Roberts Stadium have received a jolt in momentum with Mayor Winnecke announcing the 15 member task force that will study the facility over the next three months.

Since I am one of those 15 members, an honor that I am both excited and proud of, local residents have been sending me some of their ideas, thoughts, and questions about the facility.

First of all, I would like for everyone to know that you will have plenty of opportunity to express your ideas to the task force during the public hearings that will be held over the course of the next three months. Those hearings have not been scheduled yet, but when they are I will pass along the dates on this blog. For this reason, any additional ideas that are submitted to me will be stored in a folder that I will bring to the meetings.

For now, I will be sharing one submitted idea on this blog in an effort to get the thought process going here in Evansville. These ideas come from a long time fan of this blog who would like to be known as "We The People."

So with all of that being said, I will now share with you the ideas submitted to me by We The People...

"Here are some ideas for repurposing Robert's with a raised floor (height of floor raising determines options both ways).  Also in this email I essentially remove options of competing with the Ford Center (FC, here forward) such as concerts, football, basketball (individual teams such as USI, UE, high school, or pro/semi pro teams.  I think the floor / ceiling height would prohibit soccer also. 

I have ruled out the Home Show, the religious group that rented Robert's as they are in negotiations from what I understand with the FC.  Also I have ruled out large trade shows that would be better served by the FC and the Centre.  The Shrine Circus, monster trucks, and Guns and Hoses.   I have also removed the thought of a natatorium due to probable prohibitive cost. Also I would do nothing with the par 3 golf course unless it meant an improvement of course visitation.

I envision just the upper level and maybe 5 -10 rows of seating below ground level for maximum floor space.  We have to keep in mind the seating is nice to have, but maximum floor space is key for versatility and success.  I also would imagine the "fill" for the bowl floor would be obtained from the pavement removal and ground for fill use.

Here are some "event style" possibilities of a large floor space facility.

1.)     Swim event weekend (3-day for competitions or weeklong for city use or weeklong competitions?) -  This could be done anytime of the year.  Yet, would hinge on cost of  access to a portable pool that could be erected on the floor.

2.)     Cheer and or gymnastics competitions ( youth events equal hotel rental, shopping, and eating by traveling teams)

3.)     Boy Scout event ( possible easy connection with the Buffalo Trace Council being so nearby)

4.)     Skateboard - x-sport  events -

5.)     Tennis - determined by ceiling height

6.)     Go cart racing - family  trade show space inside, with racing outside

7.)     Lacrosse tournaments unless being served by other local outlets already

8.)     Gun shows

9.)     Flea and Craft shows

10.)    Semi-State Wrestling if not cost prohibitive for FC

11.)    Marching Band event - I have never attended so I am not sure of the space they need or the possible seating needed.

12).    Fitness events -  Cheer and gymnastics may fall under this heading also
                A.) Cycling start and end point with trade show inside or post celebration
                B.) Running start and end point with trade show inside or post celebration
                C.) MMA events with trade show inside and out
                D.) Urban marathon with trade show inside and out
                E.) Climbing course with trade show space inside and out
                F.) Not sure if ceiling would be high enough for a winter, fall, or early  spring BMX course event that would not compete with the USABMX at Burdette Park (This event could be ran by USABMX)

 Here is my only option  should demolition be the result of this committee  I do not support a softball/baseball centric facility.

1.)     Removal of nearly all pavement except for parking and winding roadway through the park with family rental units.  Include total 4 softball / little league baseball fields, 2 basketball courts, sand volleyball,  and a playground could be included as this is still a neighborhood park (this would include the removal of the current basketball, soft/base ball fields and current playground being reconfigured more efficiently with a central concession, storage, and restroom area).  I would also include a water feature such as a minimum 2 acre lake.  I would also include a walking path with fitness stations throughout the park.  I would consider an expansion and/ or replacement in the park of the skate park and Hartke pool."

Thank you for the ideas and LET'S SAVE ROBERTS STADIUM!