Enterprise center

by **BEARZ77** » August 23rd, 2018, 6:07 am

While I know many aren't always thrilled about the continued locating of the MVC Tourney in St. Louis, the Enterprise Center is now moving towards completion of phase 2 of a massive upgrade of the overall facility which should serve MVC fans well over the coming years. Phase 1 was a 36 million dollar project completed last year which was mostly invisible to fans other than the new video board as it involved locker rooms, and significant work on wiring, and technological infrastructure. Phase 2 is much more about fan friendly improvements from upper level seats to numerous new areas for gathering, getting refreshments, and the overall appearance of the fan accessible areas. it's another 42 million in upgrades, made mostly for the home town Hockey Blues crowd, but also aimed at attracting other venues like this years SEC Basketball tourney and will benefit the MVC as well .

**Sponsor**

by **Adunk33** » August 23rd, 2018, 10:03 am

Not to start this whole discussion again but I love the MVC Tournament being in St. Louis. Really reasonable drive from ILST and always a great weekend with a lot of things to do. For the golfers out there, you can add to your weekend fun by playing Top Golf in Chesterfield. Its about 20 min outside the city and a blast! I know my group will take advantage of it come March. I'm already ready for Arch Madness. It is three of the most fun days of the year.... until Sunday when the Redbirds inevitably lose.

by **BCPanther** » August 23rd, 2018, 10:53 am

St Louis now makes total sense. Its at about the geographic mid point of the league, they're renovating the arena and Downtown is making a comeback.

The only other reasonable sites at this point would be Des Moines and Chicago but neither of them make as much sense as St Louis does.

by **hot nuts** » August 23rd, 2018, 1:30 pm

BEARZ77 wrote:While I know many aren't always thrilled about the continued locating of the MVC Tourney in St. Louis, the Enterprise Center is now moving towards completion of phase 2 of a massive upgrade of the overall facility which should serve MVC fans well over the coming years. Phase 1 was a 36 million dollar project completed last year which was mostly invisible to fans other than the new video board as it involved locker rooms, and significant work on wiring, and technological infrastructure. Phase 2 is much more about fan friendly improvements from upper level seats to numerous new areas for gathering, getting refreshments, and the overall appearance of the fan accessible areas. it's another 42 million in upgrades, made mostly for the home town Hockey Blues crowd, but also aimed at attracting other venues like this years SEC Basketball tourney and will benefit the MVC as well .

Thanks for the update! Any idea the timeline for phase 2? Will we see any improvements by March? I agree with Adunk, best weekend of the year....most my pals aren't even fans of MVC teams but they have a great time and come back year after year. I hesitate to mention that some of my crew are even Bradley fans...but we still manage to get along in St. Louis.

by **Jsnhbe1Birds** » August 23rd, 2018, 5:27 pm

hot nuts wrote:
BEARZ77 wrote:While I know many aren't always thrilled about the continued locating of the MVC Tourney in St. Louis, the Enterprise Center is now moving towards completion of phase 2 of a massive upgrade of the overall facility which should serve MVC fans well over the coming years. Phase 1 was a 36 million dollar project completed last year which was mostly invisible to fans other than the new video board as it involved locker rooms, and significant work on wiring, and technological infrastructure. Phase 2 is much more about fan friendly improvements from upper level seats to numerous new areas for gathering, getting refreshments, and the overall appearance of the fan accessible areas. it's another 42 million in upgrades, made mostly for the home town Hockey Blues crowd, but also aimed at attracting other venues like this years SEC Basketball tourney and will benefit the MVC as well .

Thanks for the update! Any idea the timeline for phase 2? Will we see any improvements by March? I agree with Adunk, best weekend of the year....most my pals aren't even fans of MVC teams but they have a great time and come back year after year. I hesitate to mention that some of my crew are even Bradley fans...but we still manage to get along in St. Louis.

Phase 2 is almost complete

by **Kyle@MOState** » August 28th, 2018, 3:58 pm

BEARZ77 wrote:While I know many aren't always thrilled about the continued locating of the MVC Tourney in St. Louis, the Enterprise Center is now moving towards completion of phase 2 of a massive upgrade of the overall facility which should serve MVC fans well over the coming years. Phase 1 was a 36 million dollar project completed last year which was mostly invisible to fans other than the new video board as it involved locker rooms, and significant work on wiring, and technological infrastructure. Phase 2 is much more about fan friendly improvements from upper level seats to numerous new areas for gathering, getting refreshments, and the overall appearance of the fan accessible areas. it's another 42 million in upgrades, made mostly for the home town Hockey Blues crowd, but also aimed at attracting other venues like this years SEC Basketball tourney and will benefit the MVC as well .

I like the tournament in St. Louis. I like the fact that I know what to expect from the city, and I know how to navigate it although I did get myself kind of lost walking last year after a few too many cocktails and my phone was dead, but I found my way back to the hotel. The furthest school is 5 hours away, and if they moved it to Chicago, that would be almost 8 hours. I don't think I could justify that trip in my own mind. While Missouri State isn't the "bell cow" of the conference, it just doesn't seem logical to move it further away from the University that has the largest enrollment. I also know that Missouri State fan's attendance has been lacking the last few years. I go every year regardless, hopefully we show up in droves this year and moving forward. It was a little depressing to see that they had the drapes up on the upper bowl last year, I hope to see all schools get a bigger turnout on what really is a great event. That being said, I am excited to see the upgrades that they have made in the Enterprise Center.

by **Adunk33** » August 29th, 2018, 10:59 am

If I remember correctly, phase 2 is expected to be done by the Blue's first home game which is Oct 4.

P.S. Only 27 days until college basketball season officially begins which means 189 days until Arch Madness.

by **Rambler63** » August 30th, 2018, 1:34 am

The tournament in St. Louis is fantastic. The city of St. Louis is a great host. It's a neutral site, where the conference headquarters is located, so it's all hands on deck for the league to present a great product. There are excellent attractions, restaurants, and bars all over downtown. Walkability is fantastic. And unlike Chicago, it's very affordable. I've gone to conference tournaments in Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Chicago, and Cleveland-- St. Louis is great because they actually care, and act in every way like they want us there and to keep coming. That means a lot.

by **Salukimadness86** » August 30th, 2018, 7:23 pm

Rambler63 wrote:The tournament in St. Louis is fantastic. The city of St. Louis is a great host. It's a neutral site, where the conference headquarters is located, so it's all hands on deck for the league to present a great product. There are excellent attractions, restaurants, and bars all over downtown. Walkability is fantastic. And unlike Chicago, it's very affordable. I've gone to conference tournaments in Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Chicago, and Cleveland-- St. Louis is great because they actually care, and act in every way like they want us there and to keep coming. That means a lot.

I agree with what you posted. It's a perfect location and The Lou is a great host. The only concern I now have is the increase in crime in the downtown area. It has become a pretty serious issue.

by **Jsnhbe1Birds** » August 30th, 2018, 8:07 pm

Salukimadness86 wrote:
Rambler63 wrote:The tournament in St. Louis is fantastic. The city of St. Louis is a great host. It's a neutral site, where the conference headquarters is located, so it's all hands on deck for the league to present a great product. There are excellent attractions, restaurants, and bars all over downtown. Walkability is fantastic. And unlike Chicago, it's very affordable. I've gone to conference tournaments in Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Chicago, and Cleveland-- St. Louis is great because they actually care, and act in every way like they want us there and to keep coming. That means a lot.

I agree with what you posted. It's a perfect location and The Lou is a great host. The only concern I now have is the increase in crime in the downtown area. It has become a pretty serious issue.

Walked out of our hotel 2 weeks ago and went to chili mac's diner. came back to yellow tape, cops everywhere, and and a body under a sheet on the sidewalk. guy killed another guy in front of the POLICE STATION in downtow. Gave 0 fucks.