Hilton is pathetic

[jtaconutz]

This has nothing to do with what goes on inside the coliseum because that is awesome and nationally respected and one of the many reasons I love being a Cyclone. It has everything to do with the outside appearance and integrity.
More times than not, when I attend a basketball game I am seeing how fast I can get to my seat and get ready for the action. A lifetime of attending games and the hurry to get inside has allowed this hubris to develop.
This afternoon I brought my 2 year old daughter with me who wanted to walk,thank god, and it slowed me down to enjoy the moment with my child. It was enjoyable and brought me back to my childhood memories of walking under the roadway, witnessing the crowd of Cyclone faithful marching towards a packed basketball environment, and savoring(hopefully) a victory.
It was a great walk until we started climbing the stairs and began dodging potholes, making sure we didn't grab part of a crumbling handrail column. I don't think it is a sign of the coliseum's main structure being flawed, because I would hope that is being inspected on a regular basis. But from an asthetic and safety standpoint, it is completely being ignored. There was even a part of the handrail that was completely missing and replaced with yellow construction tape.
I would hope that they take the recruits to Hilton through a different passageway that the normal fan would use because it is not an advertisement for a successful basketball program.
I love going to the games but I hope they have some plan in place to update Hilton's exterior before we do anymore with Jack Trice. That is my rant.

I love Iowa State.

 

[Clones21]

i love the way hilton looks like

 

[ISUAlum2002]

I agree. I've noticed the same thing the past few years. The stairways and walkways leading into the coliseum all need to be ripped up and re-paved/reconstructed. The main stairway on the south side is the worst.

 

[jaretac]

JP needs to set his grand plan of expanding Hilton aside and work on some of the basics.

 

[HandSanitizer]

I think they should just do a lower bowl and not do the upper deck....oh wait.

I hear ya. I am sure its on the list of "to dos"
Its just too bad we are not Texas.

 

[vmbplayer]

After we get the end zone Bowled in I think exterior repairs needs to be the top of the priority list. All the Donor lots and the Walkways around Hilton and the rest of the the Iowa State Center need to be replaced/repaired.

I've been noticing that the last couple years myself. The beauty of this project is it can be done in such small steps. First off you gotta do the stairs and walkways. After that start repaving the tailgating lots one lot at a time.

 

[theshadow]

All the Donor lots and the Walkways around Hilton and the rest of the the Iowa State Center need to be replaced/repaired.

A good idea, except the ownership of the lots between Hilton and JTS is divided between multiple entities.

 

[Tornado man]

Just my .02 - they could raise quick money for repairs by charging for parking, which is what 99.9% of all other similar venues do. No, at Hilton, it's all free.

 

[farmerbrent]

I'm sure they would accept a big donation from you to fix all the problems that you spelled out.

 

[jtaconutz]

I'm sure they would accept a big donation from you to fix all the problems that you spelled out.

Some day....

 

[ISUAlum2002]

Just my .02 - they could raise quick money for repairs by charging for parking, which is what 99.9% of all other similar venues do. No, at Hilton, it's all free.

A modest fee for basketball parking wouldn't be a big deal, IMO. $5, maybe even $10 each would raise a lot of money and not alienate the fanbase. Or you could charge $22 like what we paid to park at Arrowhead and anger everyone.

 

[vmbplayer]

A good idea, except the ownership of the lots between Hilton and JTS is divided between multiple entities.

Is it?

I was under the understanding that all the Iowa State Center is now owned and operated by the Athletic Department.

I assume you were referring to Iowa State center being the second owner, or is there someone else I'm not even aware of?

 

[mcblogerson]

I think the walk into Hilton is one the most inspirational walks into any stadium of any sport I've ever enjoyed. The walk into Ohio state's horseshoe before a game is unforgetable, yet the stadium isn't that well maintained. I don't like the Buckeyes but I got chills walking in there, but it's nothing like the feeling I get walking into Hilton when they're playing a conference game that matters.

 

[Tornado man]

A modest fee for basketball parking wouldn't be a big deal, IMO. $5, maybe even $10 each would raise a lot of money and not alienate the fanbase. Or you could charge $22 like what we paid to park at Arrowhead and anger everyone.

Or even just charge at non-Cyclone events!
It was hilarious at the All-State Music Festival last night at Hilton, watching car drivers turn off University, roll their windows down, money in hand, expecting to pay for parking.

 

[mj4cy]

I think you are confusing appearance with maintainence. The appearance of Hilton is 2nd to none. I challenge you to go to google maps, go to the street view and look at all the big time school's appearnace of their venues. Cameron Indoor, the North Carolina's dome, the Phog and many others are average at best looking. Don't confuse some weather of concrete and chipping that is easy to fix with overall appearance.

 

[Prone2Clone]

It is looking pretty ratty on the outside these days.

 

[HiltonMagic]

That was supposed to be taken care of with the addition of the practice facility. Since the PF got moved away from Hilton, all the renovations/repairs got put on hold.

 

[ISUAgronomist]

It definately is in need of some serious repairs/upkeep. I hope that it will happen soon before it is too late. We certainly don't want to be faced with serious structural issues that require complete reconstruction of the stairs, etc.

 

[Skyh13]

Let's just start small... and get some decent hot dogs in that place. Good Lord, those things are awful.

 

[Ficklone02]

I guess I haven't noticed these things, but I'm sure JP is well aware of them if they are serious issues. You can see what he is doing though.....the first things he has placed a priority on investing in is to create assets (new suites at Jack Trice). Then the money flowing in there can fund such repairs that you mention. Or, he could raise money with parking too. I like the direction we're headed though.