Strikers Stadium Thread

Discussion in 'Fort Lauderdale Strikers' started by drSoFlaFan, Dec 5, 2012.

  1. Smoke & Mirrors

    Jul 18, 2010
    Club:
    Ft Lauderdale Strikers
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    I don't know about those sky boxes beyond the endlines. Normally boxes like that are along the sidelines in the middle of the field. For what they cost, you have to give people a good view of the action, and those aren't going to cut it. I do howver see in the second deck right along the midfield stripe, about halfway up where my current seats would transpose to very nicely! :thumbsup:
     
  2. drSoFlaFan

    drSoFlaFan DEFEND THE FORT!

    Feb 25, 2008
    Plantation, FL
    Club:
    Ft Lauderdale Strikers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yes we did talk a bit about the stadium possibilities. They are working on it but right now are focusing more on getting everything in order for the start of the season at Lockhart. Once we kick off apparently Tim is going to go full force on the stadium issue.

    They have some locations they're looking at, and for at least one they have a potential partner intrigued in the project. "Everything is on the table" according to Tom. He said "if he could wave a wand" they'd want to be downtown by Las Olas, but obviously that's not an easy task. If it's something new and not Lockhart, the odds are good the permanent home won't be in Fort Lauderdale, but it will be somewhere in Broward County. Dade's just not feasible for a number of reasons as we already know, and Southern PBC would be redundant with FAU Stadium there.

    Where in Broward County, is anyone's guess. Could be anywhere from Pompano to Sunrise to Hallandale. All kinds of ideas floating around.

    There were some more specifics that we are not at liberty to discuss :D
     
  3. drSoFlaFan

    drSoFlaFan DEFEND THE FORT!

    Feb 25, 2008
    Plantation, FL
    Club:
    Ft Lauderdale Strikers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I don't think those are suites on the corners, those would be offices and party rooms if I understood his explanation correctly. The suites are in the middle. There would be more along the opposite sideline with expansion.
     
  4. Red Harvest

    Red Harvest Member

    Mar 5, 2001

    I just hope they don't change their name to South Florida Strikers or Broward Strikers or something along those lines.
     
  5. Smoke & Mirrors

    Jul 18, 2010
    Club:
    Ft Lauderdale Strikers
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    1000 times Yes to this! Gotta be Ft. Lauderdale Strikers. Nothing else. Ever.
     
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  6. Smoke & Mirrors

    Jul 18, 2010
    Club:
    Ft Lauderdale Strikers
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    And stay the hell out of Dade County! Even Hallandale which DR mentioned, is like practically across the street from Dade. It's too far south. The team needs to be located centrally in Broward. Lockhart's location is ideal, the only issue is the FAA. But otherwise, Sawgrass is a close second. Still centrally located, easy access to major highways that connect all of South Florida, one of the few places left in South Florida with space to build a stadium that meets the above criteria, and in an area with a lot of youth leagues and higher disposable income families close by. A renovated Lockhart will always be choice #1 for me sentimentally, but given the big picture, it would be hard to argue against Sawgrass being the best spot for an SSS in all of South Florida.
     
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  7. drSoFlaFan

    drSoFlaFan DEFEND THE FORT!

    Feb 25, 2008
    Plantation, FL
    Club:
    Ft Lauderdale Strikers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    [​IMG]

    Pompano Park could be a good fit. Only 2 miles north on Powerline from Lockhart, and there appears to be space. I remember for a brief while it was a potential Marlins site.

    There is also room at the Cricket Stadium in Lauderhill, where the old Kmart used to be:

    [​IMG]

    Parking would obviously need to be added(looks like there would be room). Location is really easy to get to from anywhere. Both of these images were made by taking screen grabs from the same altitude of Lockhart and the new site and putting the stadium in place, so it's more or less accurate as far as the physical space being there.

    Whatever happens the situation needs to be treated as if we were in England. Where moving a team out of a city and/or changing it's name is sacrilege. Perhaps the reason pro soccer has had such a spotty history in South Florida is that everyone has always tried to represent the ENTIRE South Florida area, wasting time and resources trying to bridge a cultural gap that is just too vast.
     
  8. Antique

    Antique Member

    Nov 11, 2008
    the river of grass
    Club:
    Ft Lauderdale Strikers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    How about Hallandale? Where could a stadium go there? Downtown near Las Olas? Where is there any parking there?

    I see giving up on all 3 counties as suicide. The two northern counties might be able to keep a D2 team alive, but any team will need all 3 to fill a 20K seat stadium anywhere near full. Your beginning to sound like a northern version of the *Miami only* crowd.

    Of course, getting some advertising and marketing going to let folks know that the team exists would help. The number of people that ask me about my Strikers jersey is beyond count. So many people have no idea that a pro soccer team exists here is incredible. The 1st thing that needs to be done is eliminate that ignorance.
     
  9. drSoFlaFan

    drSoFlaFan DEFEND THE FORT!

    Feb 25, 2008
    Plantation, FL
    Club:
    Ft Lauderdale Strikers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'm just being realistic. And staying in Broward County is about preserving the history of the team, and staying where, as history shows us, the bulk of the pro soccer support is.

    The team needs to forge a strong connection with fans locally, meaning in and around Fort Lauderdale first and foremost. It's gotta be focused. As you get further and further out that becomes more difficult. Is there a universal message that will connect with someone in Boca, Sunrise and Little Havana? It don't know that there is or ever will be. This isn't the Big 4 sports where they are the best leagues in the world and it's easy(ier) to get people to watch. Even with MLS you're not even close to the best soccer product you can consume. If you don't make that emotional connection to people, you'll never get them. I don't think you can make that emotional connection with people, especially those with preexisting soccer loyalties, by being some kind of generic, all encompassing club.

    I believe I recall our friend Pieter Brown petitioning Davidson on the Strikers name issue after one of the last MFC games, saying something along the lines of "if you try to appeal to everyone, you appeal to no one".

    It's a big, culturally diverse place, and on top of that it has more than one major city for people to rally around. It's unlike any other major metro area in the country.

    You've got in Broward County alone a metro area that is larger than Liverpool's, it's bigger than 5 current MLS markets. You've got the numbers to work with. Do the right things to get Broward excited about our team, the only team that has ever been truly it's own, and you can easily fill a 5-7K stadium in NASL and someday a 18-20K stadium in MLS. Anything you get from south of the county would be gravy.
     
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  10. drSoFlaFan

    drSoFlaFan DEFEND THE FORT!

    Feb 25, 2008
    Plantation, FL
    Club:
    Ft Lauderdale Strikers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Now don't go lumping me in with those clowns.

    I'm adamant in my desire for pro soccer to remain named after and closely tied to Fort Lauderdale because I'm supporting a team and it's history that actually exists. I've put a lot of my own time, effort, and money into dedicated support of the Strikers and under no circumstances do I want to see them go away, change their name, move or anything of that sort.

    There's a difference between that attitude and being a whiner who doesn't want to drive 45 minutes for soccer and would rather do email campaigns and pester celebrities with the goal of seeing the likes of Kenny Cooper trot out on a plastic pitch.

    See you Saturday at the Panthers game :D
     
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  11. Smoke & Mirrors

    Jul 18, 2010
    Club:
    Ft Lauderdale Strikers
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    I know you meant this for DR, but I'm gonna jump in here too! ;) I don't think anyone is advocating giving up on any of the three counties. But resources and money, especially at D2, demand you prioritize your efforts. If you're smart, focusing your limited resources on what will give you the most return for your investment is wise. Given the history of lack of support, plus the annoying snobbery and disdain of anything not called Miami down in the 305, I think it would be very foolish of the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers who play in Broward County to not focus their efforts in Broward #1, Palm Beach #2, and Dade #3. It's just good business sense. Traffic decided to turn down this path, it would make no sense whatsoever to go back to where they were as Miami FC.

    The other key component as you mentioned is advertising. Something we know the team has done precious little of. But when they did do it, it certainly seemed to payoff with larger crowds. This needs to be a bigger effort, and more consistent. Having different plans to target all three counties would be smart. Finally making a concerted effort to market thoroughly at every single college in all three counties would be huge in my opinion. If they want to up their spending in Dade on marketing, doing it at all of the colleges down there would be the way to get the most return on their money I believe. You've got to know who the right target audiences are for your marketing efforts, especially when you're on a tight budget.

    Finally, I know it seems like some of us Striker Likers can be almost "reverse" snobs in treating Dade the way they like to treat us up here. But here's the important difference - We aren't clamoring for an NFL, NBA, or MLB team to come into Broward and try to compete, most likely to the detriment of both franchises, for this market in those pro sports. We just want to keep what we already have, love, and enjoy the hell out of. The Strikers are already here. They have a history and tradition fans can be proud of as well. When a few snobs rant, rave, shout, and beg that they want a team in Miami instead, effectively giving us a big frack you we don't care if your team survives, then it causes friction. I know that not every MLS Miami activist falls in this category, but enough do, and they spare no opportunity to proclaim all over the place that the Strikers aren't good enough for them for countless reasons.
     
  12. markmcf8

    markmcf8 Member+

    Oct 18, 1999
    Vancouver, WA, USA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Never Offside, I'm a little confused by that drawing. There's a huge space in the middle of the North West? stand. The area with no seats is really a prime seating and viewing location, so why no seats there? Even if you plan to put the team benches there, you could still have lots of seats above the benches.

    It does look like a cool stadium.

    Oh, and how did you arrive at the cost estimate? That's really inexpensive, so I'm curious.

    thanks,

    - Mark
     
  13. RalphsMom

    RalphsMom Member

    Feb 26, 2011
    Plantation, FL
    Club:
    Ft Lauderdale Strikers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Mark I actually designed that stadium. I work in the construction business as a Plumber and I see construction numbers ($$$) all the time. I have also done a lot of research on small stadiums 10k and under and their construction costs in relation to their capacity and design, as well as bigger stadiums (20 - 25k).

    As for the "huge space in the middle of the north stand" its actually not as big as it may seem. There are only 10 rows in the lower bowl and with the rows being a pretty standard 2'-6" wide, that means the open space for team benches is only about 25' x 100'. That is about the same dimensions as the area at Lockhart designated for player benches, and the distance from the front row of spectator seats to the benches would be very similar if not better. If seats were added in that area, it would probably be about 1-2 rows adding only 20-40 seats and crowding the player benches, team staff, and emergency staff.

    Also the second stage of the construction adds 16 more suites and over 1,000 more midfield seats. I hope that clears things up. :D
     
  14. RalphsMom

    RalphsMom Member

    Feb 26, 2011
    Plantation, FL
    Club:
    Ft Lauderdale Strikers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Stadium Design By Zach Reese
    Stadium Seating Capacity : 14,508
    Estimated Stage 2 Construction Cost : $10 - $14 Million

    Estimated Total Construction Cost : $22 - $32 Million[​IMG][​IMG]
     
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  15. Taly

    Taly Member

    Feb 25, 2001
    Big Al's Brewery, WA
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Love the design and covered seating.
     
  16. Antique

    Antique Member

    Nov 11, 2008
    the river of grass
    Club:
    Ft Lauderdale Strikers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think that is just phase 2 of 4 phases. Completing this phase should give seating for about 14K, if memory serves. What will phases 3 & 4 give us? More endzone seating? Possibly by double decking? Would that be roofed, too? What is the projected final capacity supposed to be?

    I like the design so far. It is a bit different and certainly looks "do-able". I'm just wondering how it will look when completed and if the City of Sunrise & it's residents would like it at the corner of NW 136 Ave and Sunrise Blvd.....;)

    As for the other 2 posters, I want this team, my team, to survive. I'm willing to give a bit to insure that. To me they need to get the word out to do that. That is job #1. Don't do that and, with any name or location, they will die. If ever they get to MLS they'll get free ink and airtime from the media. Until then they must generate their own. Job #2 is the SSS. With it they control their own destiny. It's location must be in a central location. That is somewhere in Broward County. If they wish to have it close to M-D, like I was told in the meeting I attended, that is fine, but that must include being easy to get to from at least 2 counties. That kinda kills Hallandale, but keeps Sawgrass and the location near the Cricket Stadium as possibilities. There may be others (Pembroke Pines, south of Pines Blvd, adjacent to I-75 for one). The third thing is to have a consistent winner on the field. The Dolphins should indicate what will happen if they don't. And, be honest & truthful. Don't be like the Marlins FO and lie, or the Dolphins and their FO's delusions.

    We'll see how all this plays out over the next few years. All we can do is try to grow the fanbase on our own in any way we can. I hope to see some of you nice folks Saturday at the Panthers 1st game. Wear Striker stuff over your warm clothing to help spread the word. Do the same at Heat games, if you can score a ticket, and Dolphin games, and Marlins games. Do it everywhere. Even, or especially, in M-D county (kinda wish I'd gone to Curtis Park last night...:cool:...).
     
  17. Smoke & Mirrors

    Jul 18, 2010
    Club:
    Ft Lauderdale Strikers
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    Now this I'm really liking!
     
  18. Smoke & Mirrors

    Jul 18, 2010
    Club:
    Ft Lauderdale Strikers
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    We're on the same page Antique, I think you know that. I tend to get a bit frustrated by the MLS to Miami stuff, because it is a plan that gives the Strikers the shaft. There is no way this market would support two pro teams. I know some fantasize that it could, but it won't happen. There would be a huge division amongst the fans, and it would hurt both sides in the end. Dade is 1000% wrong for American pro soccer. And I would be as bold as to say that South Broward is less than ideal as well, especially if the reason for choosing it is because it is the first opportunity that comes along. This needs to be planned out right. If they get it wrong, there won't be another chance I think for this market.

    Day by day I feel more and more stongly about a significantly renovated Lockhart or out in Sawgrass being the only two real candidates. I know some think downtown Ft. Lauderdale as well because of all the hipster stuff. But my mentality as a sports fan was first shaped by being a fan of the Chicago Cubs. There aren't gimmicks and coffee bars, and fancy scoreboards when it comes to being a Cubs fan. Oddly enough it isn't even about winning and losing. It's about history, tradition, and just a simple love of the game and your team. People don't go to Wrigley for the hipster scene around the stadium. They go to watch the Chicago Cubs, and to some degree the nostalgia of Wrigley itself. If we get a good stadium in the right place, and we field a respectable team (let's face it, winning does matter here! LOL) the product should stand on its own. It doesn't need bars and restaurants across the street just to get people to think it's worthwhile to show up.

    You are spot on with your #1 priority being to get the word out. The best way to grow this fanbase is proper marketing. We know this costs money, and that's why we haven't seen much of it so far. But if the Strikers are truly committed to this community, and if they are willing to build their own SSS that tells me they are, then they've got to step up. Don't wait. Don't say, well, 4,000 is enough right now while we are in the process of settling the stadium situation. Be aggressive now. Get people on board and excited with the team and the prospects of what is to come just down the road. Money has to be spent on marketing and to put a competitive product on the field. Those have to be top of the list. And I'll say it for like the umpteenth time - they have got to put a plan in place to target the local colleges with advertising and ticket specials. It is a huge completely untapped resource. You package a student discount ticket with a video of some of the Tailgate Show's best tailgate moments, and that parking lot will get swamped every Saturday! LOL
     
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  19. markmcf8

    markmcf8 Member+

    Oct 18, 1999
    Vancouver, WA, USA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yes it does! And thanks much for the information. It's cool to have someone posting who has more than just guess work going for them.

    - Mark
     
  20. onegoalatatime

    onegoalatatime New Member

    Apr 18, 2006
    miami
    Club:
    Juventus FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Peru
    I always wished there was true 2nd division where one or two teams could move up to the MLS even if its for just a year and give the fans and teams and investors a chance to see if is a viable investment.
     
  21. Antique

    Antique Member

    Nov 11, 2008
    the river of grass
    Club:
    Ft Lauderdale Strikers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    How would that work? Pro/rel? Or do the 2nd division teams just take turns?
     
  22. RalphsMom

    RalphsMom Member

    Feb 26, 2011
    Plantation, FL
    Club:
    Ft Lauderdale Strikers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'm glad you guys like my stadium design! I hope to complete the third and final stage soon if my computer allows me too. (Memory issues on my iMac)

    Just so you know, here are a few hints regarding the third stage. The estimated final seating capacity would be around 20k, which I personally think is the perfect number for this market, and the final construction costs would end up in the 50 - 60 million dollar range. (Similar cost to BBVA Compass)
     
  23. onegoalatatime

    onegoalatatime New Member

    Apr 18, 2006
    miami
    Club:
    Juventus FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Peru
    I think it can work if no MLS gets sent back. Instead a 2nd division team that won the championship the previous season, replaces the current 2nd division team that played in the MLS to see how well it works for then and so on each season. In a way, you earn yourself a season of MLS soccer by winning the 2nd division championship, and if things turn well maybe a permanent franchise.
     
  24. onegoalatatime

    onegoalatatime New Member

    Apr 18, 2006
    miami
    Club:
    Juventus FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Peru
    Imagine, The Strikers win the division and are promoted to MLS for a season, during that time investors flock, fan interest goes up and everyone is pulling for the Strikers to be successful because more MLS teams with great attendance mean a growth for the sport and business in general.
     
  25. Antique

    Antique Member

    Nov 11, 2008
    the river of grass
    Club:
    Ft Lauderdale Strikers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The biggest surprise we got at the Strikers Town Hall meeting was the Mayor of Ft Lauderdale telling us that the Schlitterbahn waterpark with a SSS is still a possibility. Evidently the FAA may grant an extended lease - rumored to be in the 50 year range - for or this. More meetings are planned next month between the FAA and the interested parties involved. Interesting development.....:thumbsup:
     
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