State Budget Committee OKs funding for Hulman Center project

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what does lowering the ceiling do and does that affect what other things can happen there like concerts ect?
 

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what does lowering the ceiling do and does that affect what other things can happen there like concerts ect?

Would improve sound quality and give a little more intimate feel. It was on their wish list I believe. It's not on the top of my list, but would be nice if we had the money.
 
I disagree about Mackey. Yes, it has bleachers for a lot of the seating. But, all the video, lighting and scoreboard updates make it a great fan experience. And the concourse has all been updated. They purposely left the old feel in place. The exterior of Hulman Center is falling apart. The concourse is in desperate need of updating. I agree with what you want inside, although I'd lower the ceiling and reduce seats. Diehard basketball fans may not care about lights, video boards etc. But, most of the up and coming generations do, or you wouldn't see most arenas constantly updating.

Well I'm part of the up and coming generation and I care more about my back and butt not being sore for 2 hours than the lights and the video boards. And doesn't ISU have a video board over center court and a fancy scoreboard? Sitting on hard benches is something I'd expect at a high school game, not a Big Ten game. Sorry, but I was not impressed at all with Purdue's arena. On the other hand the University of Illinois renovated their arena and it is really nice as I went there for an NIT game last season.
 
Well I'm part of the up and coming generation and I care more about my back and butt not being sore for 2 hours than the lights and the video boards. And doesn't ISU have a video board over center court and a fancy scoreboard? Sitting on hard benches is something I'd expect at a high school game, not a Big Ten game. Sorry, but I was not impressed at all with Purdue's arena. On the other hand the University of Illinois renovated their arena and it is really nice as I went there for an NIT game last season.
To each his own. I don't think our video board and scoreboard is comparable to what Mackey has.
 
What exactly is so bad about our scoreboard / video board and what exactly makes theirs so great?
Ours isn't that bad, but there's is brand new and bigger and can do more. They also have apps to download on your phone that can be synchronized with the video boards. They can also now display graphics on the court. I like Hulman center but it's 40 some years old and needs updated and those updates will enhance the experience.
 

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Yes, bigger more high tech video boards would be nice. So would lighting that allows big time player introductions. Mechanical improvements are likely the most need improvements of all. A sound system that makes hearing and understanding what is being said is desperately needed. Lots of things like this would truly enhance the experience.

But you know, if the product on the floor isn't improved along with the physical environment it won't really make a big difference. We need only look at Evansville for evidence of this. Will the environment help? Well, it very-well could aid recruiting. But even that's not guaranteed.
 
Is something wrong with the Arena where they currently practice?

Compare it to the $8mil practice facility at Drake, and yes there's things wrong with it.

The current practice facility is absolutely adequate. But if they were to be able to tie-in a new practice facility to HC, with all the amenities a player/coach/recruit would love to see...then it could ELEVATE (see what I did there) our program.
 
It seems to me that ISU is at a chicken or the egg dilemma when it comes to basketball. (leaving aside investment in other sports).

Renovate the Hulman Center to update it and make a better fan experience (which hopefully results in more revenue via attendance and things like luxury suites). This increased revenue could be used to then invest in salaries for coaches, amenities for student athletes, and that sort of thing.

Renovate the facilities that the teams use that might attract "better" players who will then push ISU further up the standings, which may increase attendance and hopefully revenue. This revenue could then be used to improve HC, add salaries for coaches, that sort of thing.


I don't know which is better. Or if even feasible.
 

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WTHI has a poll asking folks about a tax for a convention center. Not going well.

https://www.facebook.com/WTHITV/posts/10155824710571343

Not a surprise. Most in this city have no vision or desire to think outside the box. And we wonder why we don't get more community support. Some of these people are probably the same ones who complain about ISU taking over the downtown. No vision. But, in there defense, the idea of a convention center needs to be sold better. Are people gonna come here for 3 or 4 days for a convention? probably not. But, there is a need in this area for a place that can seat 1,000 or so people for a 1 day conference or dinner, etc.
 
Why do we even need a convention center? As someone that has traveled all over North America I can tell you first hand that Terre Haute is a dump (sorry to be blunt) and I doubt there are too many people that are going to want to have a convention here. Honestly Effingham, Illinois might be a better place to hold a convention. And besides that what exactly is so bad about having a convention in a local high school (THN or THS) or on the Hulman Center floor? What about building it in the new casino? Oh wait, nevermind. We never get anything in Terre Haute that might actually benefit the community. Instead we need new jails and a new convention center that no one will use. Just wait, they'll raise taxes to build the new jail when they get around to it.

Raising taxes to do it is also a huge no for me. I was against the Hulman Convention Center as well for the same reason. Just another excuse to steal some money from taxpayers to give Greg Gibson some more money since supposedly he owns the land they plan to build it on (surprise, surprise).
 
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I thought it was still gonna be downtown and possibly connected to Hulman Center. If it's not downtown, I wouldn't support it. I do think it would get used for smaller conferences.
 

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I thought it was still gonna be downtown and possibly connected to Hulman Center. If it's not downtown, I wouldn't support it. I do think it would get used for smaller conferences.

From what I've heard it is supposed to be built north of Wabash between 8th and 9th St. The land of course is owned by Fontanet Holdings LLC (aka Greg Gibson). Maybe I'm missing something, but why couldn't they use the Indiana Theater as a "convention center"? Maybe that's too easy.
 
What Terre Haute is sorely lacking fits in two categories. First, a vision for the future that goes beyond political kingdom building. Terre Haute needs to decide what it wants to be, and then create a comprehensive economic development plan to make it happen. I believe Terre Haute could attract small conventions and has the amenities to begin to make that happen. They aren’t going to hold these things in Dresser, and downtown actually has a nice, compact footprint with nice eateries, art museums, entertainment venues, and of course, ISU. A casino complex could really add to that vibe. A comprehensive plan is essential to have a roadmap laid out to get to where you want to go. Bringing a casino to town is NOT a comprehensive economic plan.

The second thing that Terre Haute sorely lacks is leadership. The political leadership is corrupt, small-minded, completely lacking in the ability to think 20 years in the future, and are economically inept. And that’s the nicest thing I can say about Terre Haute’s political leaders. They are so inbred and their little webs are wound so tightly together that I’m not sure that the chain can be broken. It will take a special political talent to break the stranglehold that these crooks have on politics in my hometown. The entirety of the city and county leadership (boy, I use that term lightly) needs to be replaced by more civic minded people who are not simply looking to grow their bank accounts and grow their political power. The power of the police and fire unions over local politics must be broken. In short, if you are involved in local politics at all, you should be disqualified from any position of political power, no matter how small.

Terre Haute needs leaders with the “20 years in the future” vision, and the ability to articulate that vision. The ability to say “Yes, we need an entertainment venue like a casino, but we also need to capitalize on Amazon if they come to Indy. And we need to sell our location and transportation capabilities to become a distribution hub. And we need to leverage an incredible educational system to become an incubator for new, cutting edge businesses.” Leadership that realizes that a casino isn’t the end game, nor is a convention center, but rather each is a piece of a larger plan to expand and diversify Terre Haute’s economic base. Sell THAT to the people, and you might have something.

I also have no doubt that anyone who challenges the status quo could inspire a real life version of the original “Walking Tall” movie. It will take a particularly strong person to be Terre Haute’s Buford Pusser.
 
If you think Terre Haute is a 'dump' why not move to Indy or Georga, or some other paridise....and ...QUITCHERBITCHIN'. We palinly have a mediocre university with mediocre athletic programs at the present time. Complaints from non-rersidents fall on deaf ear as they should.:razz:
 
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