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Topic: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Topic: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

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Ted Thompson
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The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/22/2019 8:36:48 AM

Another article from The Post's special basketball issue: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

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SBH
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/22/2019 9:31:56 AM

My heart raced a bit when the author mentioned that all bathrooms will be renovated this summer...but then explained that it's the dorm rooms.

OU_Country
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/22/2019 9:45:34 AM

The article states there are classrooms in the building. I don't ever recall that being the case in my time on campus.

rpbobcat
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/22/2019 9:46:28 AM

Interesting article.

When I was at O.U., were we told that that original plan was to have the aquatic center and ice rink under the building, where the parking is.
But,because Beasley (although they never said his name) pulled out of the deal,they didn't have enough money.

There were all kinds of rumors as to why the deal with him fell through,but nothing concrete.

We were also told that original intent was for the Convo to be used exclusively as an athletes' dorm.

OU_Country
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/22/2019 9:48:45 AM

rpbobcat wrote:

We were also told that original intent was for the Convo to be used exclusively as an athletes' dorm.

This would actually make a lot of sense if they did it.

SBH
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/22/2019 9:59:12 AM

Beasley's kids intervened and threatened to sue the university for taking advantage of their enfeebled father.

No way they planned to put an ice rink UNDER the building - we're talking major flood plain.

I believe the dorm was a late addition to help justify the cost after Beasley money disappeared.

rpbobcat
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/22/2019 10:31:54 AM

SBH wrote:

No way they planned to put an ice rink UNDER the building - we're talking major flood plain.

That's what we were told.

Maybe they weren't that concerned about flooding after they moved the Hocking.
That was supposed to solve flooding along that waterway.

Until the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968,no one even knew exactly what a "flood plain" was.
It wasn't until the 1973 Flood Disaster Protection Act that flood insurance became mandatory for certain properties.
That made people pay attention.

I don't know about Ohio,but in northern N.J., FEMA didn't issue preliminary Flood Zone (FIRM) maps until around 1980.
Those were the first maps that delineated flood plains.

I can tell you we build structures in flood plains all the time.

We just fill the area where we're building so that the building's floor is above
the 500' year flood elevation.

As I tell my clients,if you have the money,we can solve pretty much any engineering design issue.

Last Edited: 2/22/2019 10:37:33 AM by rpbobcat

ts1227
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/22/2019 11:20:09 AM

OU_Country wrote:

The article states there are classrooms in the building. I don't ever recall that being the case in my time on campus.

I had a CS class in there in 06-07. I was living there as an RA too so it was nice (except you have to go outside and back in to access it)

SouthernCat
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/22/2019 12:56:46 PM

OU_Country wrote:

The article states there are classrooms in the building. I don't ever recall that being the case in my time on campus.

I had an Intro to Athletic Training in a conference room behind the hall of fame. I never saw an actual classroom there.

GoCats105
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/22/2019 1:01:44 PM

Is it just me or does $3.5 million seem like a lot to renovate bathrooms? They better watch some HGTV and figure out how to stretch that budget.

Bob Haldeman
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/22/2019 1:05:06 PM

GoCats105 wrote:

Is it just me or does $3.5 million seem like a lot to renovate bathrooms? They better watch some HGTV and figure out how to stretch that budget.

Need to take out those blow dryers and non-load-bearing wall, for more of an open concept.

.
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/22/2019 2:25:29 PM

(Montage of Rufus in a hard hat swinging a sledgehammer and accidentally taking out a urinal)

I do wonder if the Posts' renewed vigor in the sports section isn't directly tied to there no longer being a print product. Going exclusively online hasn't helped the content of most for-profit news organizations because they've been downsized and editors have been chopped, but I wonder with a student publication where workforce issues aren't a consideration that not having to worry about producing a print product hasn't opened things up for more and better reporting to be done.

Could also be they just have good people doing the work, too. But I think they've been great this season. Kudos to them.

Last Edited: 2/22/2019 2:39:27 PM by .

GoCats105
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/22/2019 2:45:46 PM

Bob Haldeman wrote:

GoCats105 wrote:

Is it just me or does $3.5 million seem like a lot to renovate bathrooms? They better watch some HGTV and figure out how to stretch that budget.

Need to take out those blow dryers and non-load-bearing wall, for more of an open concept.

I'm wondering if we go Mid-Century Modern or Contemporary.

.
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/22/2019 4:33:30 PM

The red M urinal cakes will be a nice touch, though.

IceCat76
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/22/2019 7:19:03 PM

SBH wrote:

I can attest to first hand knowledge that the original plan did include hockey. Not below but in the Convo. It was intended to be a mini-MSG. John McComb, the hockey coach told me he didn�t want it. He said we�d never be able to practice where we played. Also would have to schedule around MAC sports. He also said there were a couple donors that were ready to donate for a separate ice rink.
Probably would have happened except Bill Rohr screwed us over. Announced dropping hockey while we were on a road trip. We didn�t contribute to Reese Cup points so we had to go.

BillyTheCat
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/22/2019 9:52:13 PM

Yes, Hockey was in mind with the floor design, noticeable in the shape of the lower bowl.

Dorms were always in the plans, and classrooms have always existed. There are/were about 30 classrooms on the court level. The Athletic offices only occupy 1/4 of the lower level running from the South entrance to the East entrance. From the east entrance (main entrance) to the north and all the way around to the West entrance is classrooms, restrooms and faculty shower facilities. This space has held engineering, PT and some technology departments. This space has been vacant for several years. The Convo also housed the West Green Maintence Shops that services all of West Green.

Buckeye to Bobcat
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/22/2019 10:02:38 PM

IceCat76 wrote:

SBH wrote:

+1

Can attest as well. Hence the big door at the one end of the arena.....was built with a zamboni entrance in mind.

OhioCatFan
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/22/2019 10:20:21 PM

IceCat76 wrote:

SBH wrote:

It wasn't Bill Rohr that screwed you up, it was President Sowle. Bill Rohr just carried out his orders like a good soldier. I've often summed up Sowle's presidency as making the worst out of a bad situation. He also did away with the architecture school, and tried -- unsuccessfully -- to close the College of Engineering. He also let the Portsmouth branch be transformed into Shawnee State. A strong leader could have prevent all or most of these things. It was a bad time, but was a weak leader, as well as an alcoholic, and things went from bad to worse under his leadership. When Charlie Ping took over, the ship began to be right almost immediately, but it did take some time.

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BillyTheCat
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/23/2019 9:35:38 PM

OhioCatFan wrote:

IceCat76 wrote:

SBH wrote:

Sowle didn�t let OU Portsmouth be turned into anything. Some guy named Vern Riffe willed that and created Shawnee State over years of building it up after leading the split from our university system. Vern was the engine that brought the Appalachian Highway through the region and single handily created Shawnee State (aka. Vern Riffe U). When you are the most powerful man in Ohio you do things like that, the independence of O.U. Portsmouth happens to coincide with Speaker Riffe becoming Speaker. From the beginning the most powerful man in Ohio politics.

Last Edited: 2/23/2019 9:44:16 PM by BillyTheCat

GroverBall
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/24/2019 12:49:55 AM

rpbobcat wrote:

SBH wrote:

No way they planned to put an ice rink UNDER the building - we're talking major flood plain.

Well, "building" engineering design issue maybe. But you're not really solving an engineering design issue by using fill in the flood plain to raise a building out of the 500' year flood, you're filling the flood plain and pushing more water to your downstream neighbors to deal with. You haven't solved the problem of flooding, you've just passed it on and made it worse.

giacomo
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/24/2019 2:40:25 PM

The dorms were in use during my time 1977-81. I seem to recall that at some point when they didn�t need the space, Hocking Tech students occupied those dorms.

rpbobcat
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/24/2019 3:10:21 PM

GroverBall wrote:

Actually,no.

My post only dealt the fact that you can put a building in Flood Zone,without it flooding.

I didn't want to bore people with the "mechanics" of doing this.

But,since you brought it up.

Building in Flood Zone,when done properly, will not adversely impact downstream properties.In fact it will actually make their situation better.

I can only speak about New Jersey.

In what are known as Fluvial (non tidal) Flood Zones, we have what is known as "Zero Net Fill".

That means that,for every cubic yard of fill we place in a Flood Zone for a building,parking lot etc.,we have to remove an equal volume of material.

Its called a "Net Fill Compensation Area",the design of which must be approved by the State.

In addition to "Zero Net Fill",we also have to provide a drainage system that reduces,by up to 50% ,the volume of existing runoff.
Again, the design of this has to be approved by the State

So,from a runoff volume perspective,a project like this not only doesn't make flooding worse for people downstream,it makes it better.

For projects that are 1 acre or more,the design must include a Water Quality System.
This system has to remove 80% of the "Total Suspended Solids" from surface runoff.
So,not only is there less runoff,its cleaner.

We also,depending on soil conditions, put some of the runoff back into the ground,to recharge aquifers.

We must also prepare an "Operation and Maintenance Manual".
The Operation and Maintenance Manual must be approved by the engineer for the town where the site is located.
The Manual must have signed log sheets confirming that the system is maintained.
The signed sheets must be kept on site and are reviewed by the Municipality.

OhioCatFan
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/24/2019 4:41:38 PM

BillyTheCat wrote:

OhioCatFan wrote:

IceCat76 wrote:

SBH wrote:

I know all about Mr. Riffe and his role in this thing. But, I maintain that a stronger president could have prevented this from happening. I know others who were close to the process, who have told me that while Sowle did not have the strongest hand at that time that he didn't play his political cards very well, and that a more politically savvy president could have probably prevented the Portsmouth Branch from becoming Vern Riffe U., as you put it. I agree that Vern did the things you mentioned, and overall he was very helpful to this part of the state, but Vern Riffe U, was not necessarily a given at that time. Vern didn't always get his way, even as the most powerful man in the state. But, I'll grant you of all the Sowle failings I mentioned, this is the one that might have been the hardest. If he'd failed at this, and not the others, I would judge his presidency a success.

An interesting side note on the Appalachian Highway Corridor D through Ohio was that the original plans called for it to follow Rt.50 through Ohio, as it did in W.Va. It would have gone directly from Athens to Chillicothe. However, Gov. James A. Rhodes, the second most powerful man in Ohio, was a native of Jackson County, born in Coalton, and he wanted it to go through this home county.

BillyTheCat
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/24/2019 5:39:38 PM

OhioCatFan wrote:

BillyTheCat wrote:

OhioCatFan wrote:

IceCat76 wrote:

SBH wrote:

So, please provide historical proof of your opinion, because I can provide proposed and passed legislation and facts to discredit your revisionist history. And you really believe the President of the University could stand up to that political pressure of the man who held the purse strings? Please!

Last Edited: 2/24/2019 6:34:30 PM by BillyTheCat

SBH
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RE: The Post: The struggles and successes of the Convocation Center

Posted: 2/24/2019 6:02:41 PM

It's OCFs version of history. Be wary.

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