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UB upgrading Alumni Arena
By PAUL VECCHIO
Reporter Contributor
Alumni Arena, home to the Bulls' basketball, volleyball, wrestling and indoor track-and-field teams, is undergoing a nearly $2 million upgrade and renovation.
Retractable seating that has been in Alumni Arena since its opening in 1982 will be replaced with new seating as part of a nearly $2 million upgrade and renovation of the arena.
PHOTO: FRANK MILLER
A $750,000 reworking of the second floor of the 8,500-seat arena will include state-of-the-art offices for the Bulls' men's and women's basketball teams, a project that is being financed through a gift to the Division of Athletics from Stephen Walsh, B.A. '66, former owner of the New York Islanders.
When finished next summer, the area will feature an extensive layout of office and meeting space that will house the eight full-time men's and women's basketball coaches, an open reception area and several conference rooms for meeting with teams and prospective student-athletes. Office space for the women's volleyball and softball programs and the External Relations and Development departments also will be included in the renovation.
In addition, following the 2003-04 basketball season, retractable seating that has been in the arena since its opening in 1982 will be replaced with new seating that will increase the number of chairback seats in the main gymnasium. The new seating will give the arena a more efficient seating arrangement—attractive not only for athletic events, but also for concerts and special events that routinely occur in Alumni Arena.
This project, a joint effort between Athletics and University Facilities, is expected to cost approximately $1 million.
Other work, such as painting the interior walls and the arena court, and construction of a suite for the Blue & White Club, are in the planning stages and will be accomplished as funding is identified.
"These improvements to our arena are a continuing demonstration by both the university and our supporters to the commitment of our intercollegiate athletics program," said Bill Maher, interim director of athletics. "Each of these initiatives is focused on improving our program's ability to recruit and develop our student-athletes. The upgrades within the Alumni Arena venue also have the dual benefit of improving our fan experience and will be a tremendous asset in the university's physical plant."