Beerball Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/8-ways-Ralph-Wilson-Stadium-already-looks-different/64a3485e-bc4b-43a1-835d-cb506c0fd670 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fingon Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 (edited) It's a shame that the Ralph won't have a team regularly playing in it within a decade. It's actually starting to look nice with all the work they are putting into it. Edited May 22, 2014 by Fingon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarkLessWagMore Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Thanks for posting that. The changes look great. Long way to go to be completed on time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy10 Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Yeah, looks great, but what a mess it'll be if not finished in time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebandit27 Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 I know it looks like a mess now, but honestly they look pretty darn far along. No question they'll be done by mid-July even if weather conditions are horrible throughout the summer (in which case they'd simply bring more crews on site). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Day 10 Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 whats with the black? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chandler#81 Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Can't help thinking this is such folly. Why bother with all this expense and upgrade if the League is mandating a new venue. This seems so foolish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebandit27 Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Can't help thinking this is such folly. Why bother with all this expense and upgrade if the League is mandating a new venue. This seems so foolish Because they are still going to play there for at least 6 more years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Can't help thinking this is such folly. Why bother with all this expense and upgrade if the League is mandating a new venue. This seems so foolish Gotta get through the lease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chandler#81 Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Gotta get through the lease. Well, sure, I get that. But it's still a concrete relic from a bygone era. All the expensive lipstick in the world doesn't disguise this fact. I just remember all the serious bitching from the late '60's/early '70's about the ridiculous cost of Rich Stadium and how economics alone thwarted a dome back then. These upgrades trump the initial cost (pun) for what amounts to possibly no more than 48 games/hours of use through the next 6 years.. Nice? Absolutely. Just ridiculous, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted May 22, 2014 Author Share Posted May 22, 2014 Well, sure, I get that. But it's still a concrete relic from a bygone era. All the expensive lipstick in the world doesn't disguise this fact. I just remember all the serious bitching from the late '60's/early '70's about the ridiculous cost of Rich Stadium and how economics alone thwarted a dome back then. These upgrades trump the initial cost (pun) for what amounts to possibly no more than 48 games/hours of use through the next 6 years.. Nice? Absolutely. Just ridiculous, IMO. Hindsight though. Would we be having this conversation if Ralph didn't pass? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevewin Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Also don't get the black. Have to wait I guess to see the completed paint job. Not sure "monumental" would be the first thing to pop into my head to describe the new stairs - but any change for the positive is good. Looking forward to more bathrooms more than anything... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Cat Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 whats with the black? I mean, it'll look sharp...but DAMN...now THAT'S a change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy10 Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Can't help thinking this is such folly. Why bother with all this expense and upgrade if the League is mandating a new venue. This seems so foolish I really don't think "the league" is "mandating" anything. The Gingerhammer made comments in favor of a new stadium. He works for all the owners collectively. Owners will always be in favor of new stadiums. I really don't think a retrofit is off the table. Yet. But we've got a lot to get through before it's worth being concerned about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrags Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 I also don't like the black but I guess I'll just have to see it when it's finished. I'm thinking the black we see now looks like a lot but the amounts of blue, red, and white that'll be in there are going to drown it out a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy10 Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 I'm sure the black is just a base for something else. I am not a structural engineer, but I would think black paint would soak up too much heat and possibly do damage to the structure that already goes through enough harsh elements in the wintertime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 I'm sure the black is just a base for something else. I am not a structural engineer, but I would think black paint would soak up too much heat and possibly do damage to the structure that already goes through enough harsh elements in the wintertime. ...but you DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy10 Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 ...but you DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Marriott Courtyard (ducks and runs) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotAGuy Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Well, sure, I get that. But it's still a concrete relic from a bygone era. All the expensive lipstick in the world doesn't disguise this fact. I just remember all the serious bitching from the late '60's/early '70's about the ridiculous cost of Rich Stadium and how economics alone thwarted a dome back then. These upgrades trump the initial cost (pun) for what amounts to possibly no more than 48 games/hours of use through the next 6 years.. Nice? Absolutely. Just ridiculous, IMO. "Refurbishing The Ralph is slapping paint on a crumbling pile of rocks". (Jerry Sullivan, 5/22/14) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chandler#81 Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 I really don't think "the league" is "mandating" anything. The Gingerhammer made comments in favor of a new stadium. He works for all the owners collectively. Owners will always be in favor of new stadiums. I really don't think a retrofit is off the table. Yet. But we've got a lot to get through before it's worth being concerned about that. A retrofit may not be officially off the table, but it's so far back-burner that it's not even on the stove anymore. Does a day go by where there's no media outlet reporting named League sources, NYS politicos or prospective new ownership NOT talking about a new stadium? Pay rolled committees are formed with this sole purpose in mind. Orchard Park is a nice community, but would ANYONE plan to go there, were it not for Bills games? Of course not. Buffalo city proper or Niagara Falls are the big cities in the area and they make the most sense for a new stadium being erected there. Personally, I never understood the Southtowns location, with the exception of egress, because there's NOTHING there. The Ralph is a wonderful football arena. The locale it's in is forgettable at best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabattBlue Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 I agree that some enhancements had to be done in the interim, it is just unfortunate that it took so long to make improvements that the majority of fans can enjoy, instead of pouring millions over the years into club seating/suites(which have been undersold), and other amenities not seen by the majority of fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy10 Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 A retrofit may not be officially off the table, but it's so far back-burner that it's not even on the stove anymore. Does a day go by where there's no media outlet reporting named League sources, NYS politicos or prospective new ownership NOT talking about a new stadium? Pay rolled committees are formed with this sole purpose in mind. Orchard Park is a nice community, but would ANYONE plan to go there, were it not for Bills games? Of course not. Buffalo city proper or Niagara Falls are the big cities in the area and they make the most sense for a new stadium being erected there. Personally, I never understood the Southtowns location, with the exception of egress, because there's NOTHING there. The Ralph is a wonderful football arena. The locale it's in is forgettable at best. I don't disagree and am personally in favor of anything that makes my drive to and from ROC easier on game days. I'm just pointing out that the commish HAS to beat the drum for a new stadium. While everyone IS talking new stadium, the issue is too far down the line for anybody to worry about too much right now. The ownership question needs to be settled first. I'm sure the stadium question will follow soon after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oman128 Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 The Black is used for covering up the aged stadium and its many faults, plus it is cordinated with the store front and the gates. I think it makes The Ralph look a bit more intimidating for visiting teams, not that Tom Brady will be scared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkington Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Gotta get through the lease. Not to mention, it takes a minute to build a new modern stadium. Especially in areas that might have weather challenges during construction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papazoid Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 the black is a new stealth technology to enhance wireless accessibility throughout the stadium. totally made that up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 "Refurbishing The Ralph is slapping paint on a crumbling pile of rocks". (Jerry Sullivan, 5/22/14) "Why are we wasting money on a new stadium when the old one is perfectly fine?" (Jerry Sullivan, 2020) Can't help thinking this is such folly. Why bother with all this expense and upgrade if the League is mandating a new venue. This seems so foolish Most of the $$$ being spent is on stuff you can't see like plumbing and structural support. Want another sewer line rupture during a game? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purple haze Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 (edited) The Black is used for covering up the aged stadium and its many faults, plus it is cordinated with the store front and the gates. I think it makes The Ralph look a bit more intimidating for visiting teams, not that Tom Brady will be scared. I don't know. I think it already looked like some type of state prison. lol. And to think when I was a kid the stadium looked like a palace to me. Especially compared to the rock pile. Now the Ralph looks old and raggedy like the rock pile. Edited May 22, 2014 by purple haze Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrags Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 "Why are we wasting money on a new stadium when the old one is perfectly fine?" (Jerry Sullivan, 2020) Most of the $$$ being spent is on stuff you can't see like plumbing and structural support. Want another sewer line rupture during a game? haha. Yes. I can see JS saying that already. And in all fairness, the only reason for the ruptured sewer line was because they had already started work on it. If they didn't start updating already, it wouldn't have been an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Jack Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 the black is a new stealth technology to enhance wireless accessibility throughout the stadium. There is a paint available that can block RF signals, maybe they are using it in reverse, make The Ralph one big antenna.... http://www.pcworld.com/article/158288/paint_secures_wifi.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike in Horseheads Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 I know the popular idea is a new mega palace sitting at the brink of The Falls so the Super Bowl, NCAA Final 4 and maybe I missed it the World Series can be held there. BUT, In reality it's a football stadium in WNY, if it's structurally sound why not just do a Arrowhead redo? Anybody that thinks I'm thinking small I'm being practical I doubt the people in KC or Green Bay are waiting for the SB to show up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sodbuster Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 (edited) Did someone say black? Edited May 22, 2014 by sodbuster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy10 Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 It's like a pastel black. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockpile Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 "Refurbishing The Ralph is slapping paint on a crumbling pile of rocks". (Jerry Sullivan, 5/22/14) Jerry Sullivan is really stretching it to call the Ralph a "crumbling pile of rocks". Yes, it is out dated in many ways, but it is not falling down. Yes, it is not state of the art - some of that is being addressed now. I am not opposed to a new stadium, but I am also OK with a renovated "Ralph". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtbag Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 It's like a pastel black. it's like, how much more black could this be? and the answer is none. none more black. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy10 Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 it's like, how much more black could this be? and the answer is none. none more black. You win. And, you can't really dust for vomit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 slapping Jerry Sullivan Edited for clarity... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UpperDeck Posted May 25, 2014 Share Posted May 25, 2014 whats with the black? whats with the black? The Ralph is in mourning for THE Ralph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kasper13 Posted May 25, 2014 Share Posted May 25, 2014 Black? Weird. Any engineers on here? How long would it take to just remove the entire seating area, concourses, restrooms, plumbing and that ridiculous administration building and build a new stadium on the current site? Basically just rebuild what they had but with open, wider concourses, new restrooms and concessions, luxury boxes, locker rooms. Footprint is already there. Scoreboards are new, put those back up. Field is new. Just work from the new renovations in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincec Posted May 25, 2014 Share Posted May 25, 2014 Black? Weird. Any engineers on here? How long would it take to just remove the entire seating area, concourses, restrooms, plumbing and that ridiculous administration building and build a new stadium on the current site? Basically just rebuild what they had but with open, wider concourses, new restrooms and concessions, luxury boxes, locker rooms. Footprint is already there. Scoreboards are new, put those back up. Field is new. Just work from the new renovations in. If you are spend that kind of money and start over don't you want something better than the Ralph? Can't help thinking this is such folly. Why bother with all this expense and upgrade if the League is mandating a new venue. This seems so foolish The deal was made before Ralph passed and was part of the plan to try and make a successor stay in Buffalo, at least for a short period of time. If it helps to keep the Bills in Buffalo then it will be money well spent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragonborn10 Posted May 25, 2014 Share Posted May 25, 2014 Lipstick on a pig. I have great memories from 80's and 90's but go to any modern stadium and you won't want to watch the Bills play a home game. Bathrooms are disgusting. There is no room to walk. Food is average. Even in the Jim Kelly club the beef on weck was cold. Very disappointing. Beer selection could be better. Guys please go to a new venue and see what you are missing. Tear down the Ralph. Build a 64,000 seat stadium on the waterfront and raise the ticket prices 25%. Add high quality food and beverage items. I'm not saying every other stadium is better but Seattle and Arizona offered much better experiences. I'm going to Bears-Bills but I don't expect it will be much better than RW. Worst stadium ever though was Metrodome. The concourses could not have allowed more than 5 people side by side. Actually was a bit scary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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