Matthew Knight Arena

1. Matthew Knight Arena By: Tyler Snyder 100 points possible

2. Was the construction of Matthew Knight Arena a good investment for the University of Oregon? I strongly believe the Matthew Knight Arena was well worth it in the long run. First of all, it employed thousands of construction workers to become employed and have a job in this tough economy. In addition, the new arena drew a lot of attention from the nation. This will help increase the demand for ticket sales and make it a lot easier to recruit for players. The University has been majorly enhanced by this new arena and it has started to show as the facility has been used by not only basketball, but other major events. Finally, there was a huge donation by Phil Knight which will help reduce the amount of money that the university will have to pay.

3. Source # 1 "Matthew Knight Arena Facts and Architecture." Facts and Architecture Design: Matthew Knight Arena. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2013. • 50,000 cubic yards of rock • There are four loading dock bays with room underground to turn a 70' truck 360 degrees • 1,890 employees worked on the construction of the arena during one of the worst economies • There was over 800,000 man hours put into the arena which means that the construction helped employ many people during the bad economy

4. Source # 1 "Matthew Knight Arena Facts and Architecture." Facts and Architecture Design: Matthew Knight Arena. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2013. • 580,000 lbs. of precast concrete forms the seating bowl which means it is very well structured • There are four times as many toilets as in Mac Court with over 130 women’s toilets, 65 men’s toilets and 4 family toilets • Deep in the Woods - is what the court looks like and it messes with opponents to make it a home court advantage for Oregon

5. Source # 1 "Matthew Knight Arena Facts and Architecture." Facts and Architecture Design: Matthew Knight Arena. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2013. • 4,840 tons (over 9 million lbs.) of reinforcing steel was placed in the concrete • Over 200 TVs located in the arena and over 100 of these are located throughout the concourses • The lower bowl of Matthew Knight Arena is closer to the floor and steeper than Mac Court

6. Source # 1 "Matthew Knight Arena Facts and Architecture." Facts and Architecture Design: Matthew Knight Arena. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2013. • Over 50 Point of Sale lines are available to purchase food and beverage in 20 different locations, which makes it easier and more comfortable for the fans • The clean span roof trusses are over 260’ long and provide great support • Matthew Knight Arena is LEED(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certified, which is recognized to green buildings

7. Quote from Source #1 "Think of this Concourse area as a transitional experience that moves the fans into the arena and into the game, with the Shroud Wall working as a canvas for a continuum story that both celebrates the heritage of Oregon athletics and further expresses the sense of energy, excitement and activity emanating from the arena."

8. Source # 2 "Univ. of Oregon Taps Reserves for Pricey Basketball Arena." The Bond Buyer 4 Oct. 2010: 28. General OneFile. Web. 11 Mar. 2013. • Oregon had to go deeper into their funds in order to cover the interest payments on 200 million dollars of debt • The debt includes $1.35 million to pay interest on $27 million borrowed to buy the land and also payments on debt sold to build the parking garage

9. Source # 2 "Univ. of Oregon Taps Reserves for Pricey Basketball Arena." The Bond Buyer 4 Oct. 2010: 28. General OneFile. Web. 11 Mar. 2013. • Phil Knight had given a generous donation of 100 million dollars for the athletic departments reserve fund • The annual debt of the new arena is estimated to be 16.3 million per year starting in the year 2012

10. Source # 2 "Univ. of Oregon Taps Reserves for Pricey Basketball Arena." The Bond Buyer 4 Oct. 2010: 28. General OneFile. Web. 11 Mar. 2013. • When it opens this basketball season the arena will replace McArthur Court, a 9,087-seat venue that was built in 1926 • The arena is said to be one of the most expensive on-campus college basketball venues in the nation.

11. Source # 2 "Univ. of Oregon Taps Reserves for Pricey Basketball Arena." The Bond Buyer 4 Oct. 2010: 28. General OneFile. Web. 11 Mar. 2013. • The university said it decided to go with an all-taxable deal to give it flexibility to raise revenue from naming rights, advertising, and other sponsorship at the arena. • Rob Mullens said in a memo that the department would also need to ask for an additional $8 million from the special fund to complete the $227 million arena project

12. Quote from Source #2 Over the next four to six years, we are going to need to turn to the Legacy Fund to cover the bulk of the debt payments due each year. Our strong-reliance on the Legacy Fund in the upcoming years will reduce the projected 30-year balance of the fund," Mullens said in the memo to university president Richard Lariviere.

13. Source # 3 • The arena was finished on time and on budget with a $5.4 million savings over the original $200 million construction budget. • 5.4 million dollars was put to work and contributed to two practice courts, two additional elevators, and an acoustical dampening system for live concerts "Audit Finds Matthew Knight Arena Completed on Time and on Budget." Communications. N.p., 10 Feb. 2011. Web. 19 Mar. 2013.

14. Source # 3 "Audit Finds Matthew Knight Arena Completed on Time and on Budget." Communications. N.p., 10 Feb. 2011. Web. 19 Mar. 2013. • The project contractor (Hoffman Contractor Company) paid prevailing wages and competitively bid all of its subcontracts • Subcontracted work was valued at $124 million with $99.1 million being awarded to Oregon-based companies.

15. Source # 3 "Audit Finds Matthew Knight Arena Completed on Time and on Budget." Communications. N.p., 10 Feb. 2011. Web. 19 Mar. 2013. • There will be performances that will feature singer Elton John, the Original Harlem Globetrotters, the band Avenged Sevenfold and the Nike Clash of Champions tennis exhibition in the arena • Funded through the sale of "XI-F" bonds, which means no taxpayer money was used on the project

16. Source # 3 "Audit Finds Matthew Knight Arena Completed on Time and on Budget." Communications. N.p., 10 Feb. 2011. Web. 19 Mar. 2013. • The 405,000-square-foot, 12,500 seat multi-purpose facility has a sustainable design and construction • The construction was so remarkable because it was done so effectively and precise said the vice president of finances at UO

17. Quote from Source #3 "The Matthew Knight Arena is arguable the most complex construction project ever undertaken on the University of Oregon campus," said Frances Dyke, vice president for finance and administration at the UO."

18. Thesis statement The construction of Matthew Knight Arena was well worth the money for the University of Oregon because it helped with national recognition, giving people jobs,enhancing the University and the Community, and it will draw more crowds to produce a higher revenue stream.

19. Outline of findings • Starting off with answering the question about what I learned by having facts that I found interesting/relevant • Facts include: Background info, what the courts used for, the name of the arena, the courts design, money issue in the beginning, on time/on budget when completed • Transition: answer to my Central Question • My opinion of the arena and if the arena was worth it • National Attention the arena caused • All of the jobs supplied during poor economy to workers • More crowds and seating= higher revenue stream • How it helps the University • Start to provide evidence to support my answer • Construction facts and details about costs • Basketball Floor information and design • Facts about debt issues • Quotes from people who work for the University • Conclude with final opinion and how the university should utilize the arena in the future

20. Speech (30 points) Click on the link to Vocaroo.com. Paste the link to your saved vocaroo recording below. Be sure to answer the questions posted on the assignment web site. Edit it to be a "live" link. Test it to verify! http://vocaroo.com/i/s0IINDGbiMFw

21. Metaphoric image: Peter Defazio Bridge The Peter Defazio bridge connects the paths and makes it a lot easier to be able to cross the Willamette River on foot.This represents how the community has been more connected to one another and how the community is a whole. Similar to the Matthew Knight arena where the arena has brought more attention and has allowed an easier and more comfortable way for the community to be connected. Both the Bridge, and the arena have a very positive effect on the community and are ready to be used for active members of the community. These new improvements will help in the future and will always be a home court or community access advantage. image source: "Peter DeFazio Bicycle Bridge." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 04 Mar. 2013. Web. 08 Apr. 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_DeFazio_Bicycle_Bridge

22. MLA Works Cited Page (5 points) "Audit Finds Matthew Knight Arena Completed on Time and on Budget." Communications. N.p., 10 Feb. 2011. Web. 19 Mar. 2013. "Matthew Knight Arena Facts and Architecture." Facts and Architecture Design: Matthew Knight Arena. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2013. "Univ. of Oregon Taps Reserves for Pricey Basketball Arena." The Bond Buyer 4 Oct. 2010: 28. General OneFile. Web. 11 Mar. 2013. "Peter DeFazio Bicycle Bridge." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 04 Mar. 2013. Web. 08 Apr. 2013.