IMO, Cassell is about the right size as it is. In fact, I think ideally the capacity should be 10-11K (this in a "simply name the capacity" scenario).

I'm hoping capacity when all is said and done can be above 8500 or so. 8000-8500 is too low, but may be the best way when costs are considered. But my guess is that renovations would push capacity down to 7500 or so which would be clearly too small and would mean replacement would be the best option.

I wonder if some kind of expansion could be built out where the current front entrance is. This would potentially make room to put more seats on that end of Cassell (the student end). Then again, my understanding of current building code is that if significant building occurs attached to the original structure, then the building is no longer grandfathered into old building codes and must be brought up to date (hence why the Lane expansion was done in a way that did not connect with the original structure).