Bridgestone Arena: further development of property

[grilled_cheese]

[Alley]

I put together a rough idea of the size comparison of our 2007-2018 board, vs the new and improved "fang" board, vs the Devils board, which is the largest in the league. I used the height and width numbers provided by each team to get the scale. The other comparison is the pixel count from the old to the new board, which really stands out.

I think the size of the board in relation to our arena space is just right.  Plus it has a little character compared with a lot of the boards in the league being standard boxes. The kinetic boards being installed in Philly, Chicago and Washington may be a fade along the lines of Crystal Pepsi. Only time will tell.

 

 

 

 

Edited August 8, 2019 by Alley

[henburg]

I haven't seen these shared yet, so here are some photos showing the final product-

[21jump]

What stands put to me is the support columns appear to be wrapped in led screens! Hopefully that happens next off season. As far as our new scoreboard goes, I like its uniqueness. 

[Alley]

[TheRaglander]

Ohhhh, I get it.  "Fangs"

[Baronakim]

2 hours ago, TheRaglander said:

Ohhhh, I get it.  "Fangs"

You know, it would be fairly cool if the Preds would adopt the old Bob Hope theme song.  I am somewhat of a decent lyricist.... maybe I could write new lyrics and title it "Fangs for the Memories".  They could play it as the defeated teams are leaving the ice.

[markhollin]

Story at Preds' website about the new scoreboard:

https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/new-scoreboard-to-make-experience-at-preds-games-bigger-better-than-ever/c-308571264

The view from my beloved Cellblock 303:

 

[Sean blackdog]

Sinclair closes $10.6B buy of Preds' TV home, Fox Regional Sports
https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2019/08/26/sinclair-closes-10-6b-buy-of-preds-tv-home-fox.html

[volsfanwill]

boo.  Sinclair is awful!

[markhollin]

From today's press release by Preds regarding upgrades to Bridgestone Arena:

Following the June approval by Metro Nashville Sports Authority of a historic lease, which will keep the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena through the year 2049, the summer months at 501 Broadway were filled with countless hours of building upgrades and preparations for the 2019-20 hockey season.

The offseason saw more than $8 million in renovations for one of the country’s busiest venues, a continuation of the $80 million seen over the last several seasons. In addition to extensive upgrades throughout the arena, exciting new menu items and the most robust giveaway and theme night schedule in organization history will ensure that the “Year of the Fan” honors the lifeblood of the Predators organization, the fans.

“Our renovations are never finished until our fans see them, review them, critique them and give us that always-needed feedback on how we can do things better,” Predators President and CEO Sean Henry said. “The lifeblood of Smashville is our fans, and they are the ones who help us define these projects. This is the ‘Year of the Fan,’ and all of our renovations for this season were done in a deliberate fashion to continue to help make this the best experience for the most passionate fans in all of sports.”

Serving as the keystone of this summer’s upgrades is the new scoreboard, FangVision, which is nearly 300 percent larger and 450 percent higher resolution than its predecessor. The completion of the board closes out a two-phase, $15 million project, which saw the installation of LED ribbon boards and sound system in Phase 1. FangVision also features underbelly boards that will further enhance views of in-game statistics and replays for players, coaches and fans in the first 10 to 20 rows.

Also enhancing the in-bowl experience is an upgraded LED lighting system. Only five years after originally installing LED lighting, this state-of-the-art upgrade gives Smashville one of the most advanced lighting systems in the League.

Alongside the installation of FangVision and lights was the construction of Hap & Harry’s Tap Room, a new party suite that accommodates groups up to 50 people in size at hockey games and concerts. Located on Gary Force Acura Club Level, Hap & Harry’s Tap Room offers a full-service bar, unlimited food and beverage, in-seat wait service and VIP parking. In the “Year of the Fan,” every event inside Smashville will be memorable, but now, fans have the opportunity to enjoy a premium Bridgestone Arena experience with more friends, family, colleagues or clients than ever before.

“Over the past several years we have added the Lexus Lounge and 501 Club, but one area our fans and partners desired was a space larger than a suite but more intimate than the Lexus Lounge to entertain groups and special guests,” Predators Executive Vice President/CRO Chris Junghans said. “Based on their feedback, we are excited to debut Hap & Harry’s Tap Room for the 2019-20 season.”

Even more new food and beverage options will debut in 2019-20, highlighted by the new Drinkville full-service bar on the 100 level. Smashvillians fell in love with frozen drink options first available at the Tito’s bar on the 100 level and Patron Bar on the 300 level in 2018-19, and to give them yet another option, Drinkville will offer even more variety of frozen cocktails, and much more.

Fans will experience a variety of additional upgrades. With the addition of environmentally-friendly water bottle filling fountains throughout the building, visitors are now permitted to bring an empty, 32 oz. plastic water bottle into events. Improvements to arena restrooms include new counter tops and sinks on Club Level, and waterless urinals on the 100 Level that save a gallon and a half of water with each use. Other highlights include a new, exclusive entrance for Lexus Lounge members, a relocated catfish tank located near AT&T Fan Information and upgrades to the meeting rooms behind fan information.

For those who attend world-class concerts at Bridgestone Arena, a full set of 2,000 brand-new floor seats will provide added comfort for the moments when they aren’t on their feet enjoying the music. Additionally, for artists and promoters who spend months on the road, event level upgrades will offer an inviting space to relax or work before performing for the passionate music fans of Smashville.

[Vrtigo]

"Drinkville".

[grilled_cheese]

So it's pretty safe to say that Bridgestone will be safe for another 30 years, yes?

The empty 32 oz water bottle rule is extremely awesome, that's a Nalgene bottles worth.  And hopefully they're the tall water filling stations that accommodate water bottles like Nalgenes.

[DMilner]

7 hours ago, grilled_cheese said:

So it's pretty safe to say that Bridgestone will be safe for another 30 years, yes?

The empty 32 oz water bottle rule is extremely awesome, that's a Nalgene bottles worth.  And hopefully they're the tall water filling stations that accommodate water bottles like Nalgenes.

They started allowing people to bring in water bottles last year, but not every security guard when you entered knew. It would frustrate my wife to no end. They just installed new water filling stations, which will be great. 

[markhollin]

Slideshow of improvements/upgrades at Bridgestone Arena.

More at NBJ here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2019/09/19/inside-look-predators-show-off-new-renovations.html?iana=hpmvp_nsh_news_headline

[bigeasy]

Wait....so you can bring empty water bottles into a temp controlled environment, but you can't at Nissan Stadium, which was like 98 degrees and in the sun this past weekend????

Edited September 19, 2019 by bigeasy

[grilled_cheese]

2 hours ago, bigeasy said:

Wait....so you can bring empty water bottles into a temp controlled environment, but you can't at Nissan Stadium, which was like 98 degrees and in the sun this past weekend????

The Titans are a terrible stolen poverty franchise, more news at 10.  Go Preds!

[markhollin]

Bridgestone Americas has extended their naming rights agreement with the Predators and the arena for another five years, and lasting through 2030. Terms of the agreement were not released. 

More at NBJ here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2019/09/30/predators-bridgestone-extend-their-partnership.html?iana=hpmvp_nsh_news_headline

[markhollin]

A glimpse back at the arena u.c. 25 years ago this month (courtesy of The Tennessean):
 

[titanhog]

7 minutes ago, markhollin said:

A glimpse back at the arena u.c. 25 years ago this month. (courtesy of The Tennessean):
 

 

If anyone complains about all the honky Tonks  and crazy bachelorettes on Lower Broad…I’m going to show them this photo and ask if they’d like to go back to this instead.

[nashvylle]

6 hours ago, titanhog said:

If anyone complains about all the honky Tonks  and crazy bachelorettes on Lower Broad…I’m going to show them this photo and ask if they’d like to go back to this instead.

^^^!!!!!

[nightranger36]

On 5/16/2019 at 12:38 PM, markhollin said:

A few more details about the long-range plans for the arena:

Under the plan, the first major upgrade will come in 2021 when the franchise intends to add about 1,200 seats to the upper level in addition to a new press box.

Predators President Sean Henry said a new tower at the northwest corner of the arena, where city offices were located, remains a possibility. A 2017 venue study identified that part of the building as a possible hotel in the future.

And Henry identified the southeast side of the building, which currently houses a large rehearsal hall that country artists use before launching their tours, as an opportunity for renovations as well.

More at The Tennessean here:

https://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2019/05/16/nashville-predators-lease-agreement-bridgestone-arena-david-briley/3679035002/

 

Does anyone know if this is still going to happen or has covid changed things?

[downtownresident]

6 minutes ago, nightranger36 said:

Does anyone know if this is still going to happen or has covid changed things?

I would imagine this is likely on hold for now. 

[smeagolsfree]

Mark will know!

[markhollin]

4 hours ago, downtownresident said:

I would imagine this is likely on hold for now. 

Am checking around to see the status.