Does anyone know if O.U. is still looking into building a new skating rink to replace Bird Arena?
I believe the idea was to build it next to or near Ping.
If that does happen, they could renovate Bird into a basketball practice facility.
I believe that is still in the plans. Your idea for renovating Bird, I think, is a good one!
Instead, they'll probably raze it, make it greenspace, and apply for funding for 3 separate projects instead of making it one project. Ahhh, the OU way.
The justification for a new Bird Arena near Ping was to save energy costs.
They never really explained that in any detail.
You'd have to save a lot of energy to make up for the cost of a new ice rink,especially given the soil conditions in the area near Ping.
Everything has to go on piles.
Never thought about the need for pilings but makes sense.
Would there need to be an even stronger base there for a facility housing an ice rink? Would the overall weight much more significant than the existing structures in Ping?
Ping was built on piles.
At least the main structure.
For some reason they didn't use piles, or extend the grade beams,for the outer walls.
Over time the underlying soil,which is primarily clay,settled.
That's why a couple of years ago they had to "shore up" Ping's outside walls.