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Post by jsullivan on Oct 28, 2011 12:06:32 GMT -5
Guy, Iam aware that both Fairfield and Siena moved to local facilities, and I also realize that Iona deosn't have such a poossibility. I think, however, it would be doable to perhaps add a couple thousand seat to the present gym. It might help with attracting recruits, interest in moving to a better conference etc. Hynes is a beautiful facility and it's wonderful to have it on campus. I go back to the days when we played at Mt St. Michael. I think that with the tremendous strides taken by the college over the last few years,it makes having,at least, a conversation about the possibility.
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Post by GuyF on Oct 28, 2011 15:37:05 GMT -5
JSully, first off--welcome to the board! Second, when you're in a thread, you can "reply" right in that same thread is you scroll to the bottom of it.
Third, Iona doesn't have the cash or the space to add onto Hynes, and neither do the donors.
Maybe we'll get lucky one day and the once-proposed Mount Vernon arena will be built or the vastly outdated County Center will get a huge facelift, and we'll have a locale to at least host bigger schools.
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Post by ic59 on Oct 29, 2011 8:18:57 GMT -5
My understanding is that the AA would like to turn the court, with seats all around. And also raise the roof, with a mid court scoreboard. There are pro's and con's:
1. Con-As Guy pointed out this would be a major fund raising investment. And it wouldn't be cheap.
2. Pro-We have, as of yesterday, a new President. And there seems to be only one new "brick and mortar" project on the books, an additional dorm. After that, I haven't heard of anything. And presidents usually like to have building projects on their resumes. Though I'm guessing building up the college's endowment, is his top priority.
3. Another pro is that Dr. Nyre seems very pro athletics.
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Post by IONA86 on Oct 29, 2011 10:41:55 GMT -5
I thing Guy is correct. In this economic climate the only chance we have at a bigger facility would be a complete modernization of the WCC or the construction of the Mount Vernon Arena.
For the Arena to happen we would need the City, County and the County IDA to all get together and fund the project. You need a political guru to back you ... Iona had it back in the day.... I do not know if they could pull this off today as the driving force behind the project is semi-retired.
An Arena over the Bronx border, shared by Fordham, Iona, Manhattan and able to provide a premier facility for the high school playoffs and special events could be done... the city could float the bonds and it could help the economy.
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Post by ghostofwillard on Oct 29, 2011 11:58:56 GMT -5
Me thinks Iona missed the boat on this one, but what Monroe College did at New Roc would have been a nice little set up for the Gaels.
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Post by IONA86 on Oct 29, 2011 19:30:10 GMT -5
Maybe the Rooney's would partner with the Westchester IDA to put an arena at the Raceway. An Arena along the North Western corner of the Property could work. It will give them an expansion for shows to grow Empire City since they could bring in some decent shows. It does not need to be too large... 8 to 12K would work. They have enough parking and additional parking could be worked out at the Cross County Mall with shuttle service if needed. The Rooney's are experts at obtaining cheap financing from the state and they are strong supporters of Catholic Schools.... could work. Opening game could be Iona vs Duquesne since the Rooney's have sent many of their kids and grandchildren to Duquesne. Rooney Arena has a certain ring to it.
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