All-Star Why Doesn’t Varsity Build Their Own Venue(s)?

[Sterling von Shimmer]

Someone mentioned in another post the tediousness of holding comps in rented venues. Which got me wondering why Varsity doesn't just build their own.

They could have three primary locations: one in SoCal, Texas, and Florida (maybe just Texas to start since it's in the middle of the country so nobody has to fly across the nation to get there). They could buy chunks of land -- ideally near airports and hotels -- and build cheer-friendly performance venues (equipped with dead mats and spring mats) that all the major AS comps are held at throughout the year (NCA, Majors, etc.). In addition to hosting AS comps, they could be utilized for their summer camps and HS comps. When Varsity itself isn't using the venue, it could be rented out for studio dance competitions or maybe even pro cheer tryouts. They could install their own apparel shops on-site and maybe even get some food vendors to provide snacks.

Admittedly, my knowledge of this is very limited but it seems like it'd be easier for them in the long run and quite a moneymaker to boot. And they probably have the money. I don't know if it'd make STP any easier for families, but it could be a step in the right direction. Is there any reason why they shouldn't do this?

 

[BlockHead]

Someone mentioned in another post the tediousness of holding comps in rented venues. Which got me wondering why Varsity doesn't just build their own.

They could have three primary locations: one in SoCal, Texas, and Florida (maybe just Texas to start since it's in the middle of the country so nobody has to fly across the nation to get there). They could buy chunks of land -- ideally near airports and hotels -- and build cheer-friendly performance venues (equipped with dead mats and spring mats) that all the major AS comps are held at throughout the year (NCA, Majors, etc.). In addition to hosting AS comps, they could be utilized for their summer camps and HS comps. When Varsity itself isn't using the venue, it could be rented out for studio dance competitions or maybe even pro cheer tryouts. They could install their own apparel shops on-site and maybe even get some food vendors to provide snacks.

Admittedly, my knowledge of this is very limited but it seems like it'd be easier for them in the long run and quite a moneymaker to boot. And they probably have the money. I don't know if it'd make STP any easier for families, but it could be a step in the right direction. Is there any reason why they shouldn't do this?

I don't think that those locations would necessarily work for most gyms. I know my CPs gym would not travel that far for a comp unless it was Summit. We are in the Midwest.

 

[Sterling von Shimmer]

I was trying to think of the broadest terms. Those three locations cover east, west, and central parts of the nation and seem to be where a lot of major comps are held currently anyway (UCA, USA, and NCA). But yeah, that would still leave a large portion of the nation uncovered. Unless they sprang for a venue in every state. Which would be expensive, but Varsity seems so profit-focused lately I can't help but think that even a handful of Varsity-owned venues wouldn't be lucrative as event/retail centers in the long-term.

 

[King]

Owning property and a building in a major metropolitan area is a very expensive venture. It would take more than 3 weekends or so to be profitable.

Also, when you build a building and own it you have to maintain it, upgrade it, have a staff that takes care of it... It is just expensive.

 

[ScottyB]

Lol varsity teamed up with Disney to build one, and its meh at best.

Still won't pay itself off for a few more years probably and that is in Disney Dollars where the venue gets used often.

 

[california cheer mom]

Lol varsity teamed up with Disney to build one, and its meh at best.

Still won't pay itself off for a few more years probably and that is in Disney Dollars where the venue gets used often.

I was going to say the same thing, Varsity helped with the ESPN venue and it was terrible for Summit! Parents were literally climbing over seats (when they could actually get in!) to try to see their kids. No VIP area. Much craziness.

 

[ScottyB]

I was going to say the same thing, Varsity helped with the ESPN venue and it was terrible for Summit! Parents were literally climbing over seats (when they could actually get in!) to try to see their kids. No VIP area. Much craziness.

i only have been in the new arena once (2018-NHSCC). but was around at varsity when the planning and all was occurring.
the project definitely changed scope a couple times, which I am sure resulted in many of the problems we are all seeing and experiencing at these events.

the biggest issue with the new venue to me is the music area and where coaches are to sit.

UCA has made it a point the last few years to require an adult coach to be at the music table pressing play (they don't want kids feeling pressured to press play correctly...hmm). For the new arena, the music table is up top at the judges table. Meanwhile coaches box is down on the floor/first row. Painful and annoying to have to figure out and plan which coach will be up there at music, etc.

Makes no sense in so many facets, this being one of them, I just hope Disney does its disney thing and fixes the venue so Varsity cannot make the comp day process so wild.

 

[SL&AM]

It's not cost effective.

 

[catlady]

Hands down cost, but here's an interesting article from a few years back pertaining to privately owned venues...
Chicago Tribune-Private Convention Center Owners Say Bill in Springfield Would Hurt Business

 

[molls]

I was going to say the same thing, Varsity helped with the ESPN venue and it was terrible for Summit! Parents were literally climbing over seats (when they could actually get in!) to try to see their kids. No VIP area. Much craziness.

I've said it before and I'll say it over and over again. I was in there at D2 Summit and there was HEAVY rain for a few hours on Sunday (duh, Florida). The place was packed with teams meeting in the hallways because they obviously didn't want to be outside in the rain. I was very, very uncomfortable and couldn't walk through the halls easily. I wish the venue was constructed with wider hallways. I kept thinking that it would have been extremely dangerous if, god forbid, something happened that would make everyone have to evacuate quickly.

 

[california cheer mom]

I've said it before and I'll say it over and over again. I was in there at D2 Summit and there was HEAVY rain for a few hours on Sunday (duh, Florida). The place was packed with teams meeting in the hallways because they obviously didn't want to be outside in the rain. I was very, very uncomfortable and couldn't walk through the halls easily. I wish the venue was constructed with wider hallways. I kept thinking that it would have been extremely dangerous if, god forbid, something happened that would make everyone have to evacuate quickly.

Yes, we were there for that! After awards we sucked it up and walked out to the car. It was like being in a shower with all of your clothes on. That was the better option to me at the time!

 

[OldskoolKYcheercoach]

i only have been in the new arena once (2018-NHSCC). but was around at varsity when the planning and all was occurring.
the project definitely changed scope a couple times, which I am sure resulted in many of the problems we are all seeing and experiencing at these events.

the biggest issue with the new venue to me is the music area and where coaches are to sit.

UCA has made it a point the last few years to require an adult coach to be at the music table pressing play (they don't want kids feeling pressured to press play correctly...hmm). For the new arena, the music table is up top at the judges table. Meanwhile coaches box is down on the floor/first row. Painful and annoying to have to figure out and plan which coach will be up there at music, etc.

Makes no sense in so many facets, this being one of them, I just hope Disney does its disney thing and fixes the venue so Varsity cannot make the comp day process so wild.

The new arena is akin to the old cookie cutter stadiums in MLB and NFL. In the late 60’s and early 70’s, virtually every stadium built for Major League Baseball was built with the idea of also hosting football. The end result was a multitude of stadiums that sucked for everything. Baseball games were plagued with about 200 acres of foul territory. Football games suffered having fans sitting 100 yards from the sideline.

The “multi-purpose” stadium built at ESPN is mediocre as a cheerleading venue, and I’m sure it isn’t much better when they host other sports inside.

 

[ScottyB]

The new arena is akin to the old cookie cutter stadiums in MLB and NFL. In the late 60’s and early 70’s, virtually every stadium built for Major League Baseball was built with the idea of also hosting football. The end result was a multitude of stadiums that sucked for everything. Baseball games were plagued with about 200 acres of foul territory. Football games suffered having fans sitting 100 yards from the sideline.

The “multi-purpose” stadium built at ESPN is mediocre as a cheerleading venue, and I’m sure it isn’t much better when they host other sports inside.

yea i can't imagine how bizarre it is when other sports are there.

the j center and fieldhouse always look so funny when used for volleyball or basketball lol