Work on a Rupp Arena renovation is well underway, providing sings of upcoming improvements to the fan experience for University of Kentucky basketball games.
Rupp Arena is receiving several upgrades as part of a broader $241 million project that includes upgrades to the Lexington Center convention facility. Through the renovation, sections of bleacher seats in the upper level will be swapped out in favor of chair-back seating, while new hospitality club areas will be added to the facility, and the arena will receive an overhauled exterior design.
The arena is closed over the summer months to accommodate the ongoing work, which also includes a new roof. Construction crews are reportedly making considerable progress. More from the Lexington Herald-Leader:
“We’ve got essentially a five-acre construction site to the west of Rupp Arena,” said Bill Owen, president and CEO. “The arena is now closed for the summer.”
What’s taking place inside — and up top — is less visible but just as active.
“All of the bleachers in the upper arena that are getting converted to chair backs are now gone from the upper-arena risers,” Owen said. “You see towers and a roof riser going up to the roof.”
Under the current construction schedule, the new seating and a few of the club areas will be completed in time for the upcoming college basketball season. Construction for the entire project will wrap up in late 2021.
Rendering courtesy NBBJ.
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