The biggest project in the University of Dayton’s history, a $72 million upgrade of one of the nation’s most famous basketball arenas —nears completion as the renovation enters its third and final phase.
While the final phase of the three-year project started last season, in many ways it will hit its stride in May when the arena closes down for the summer. The arena won’t play host to any more events until basketball season starts in November, according to the Dayton Daily News.
UD Arena Director Scott DeBolt approaches the finish line with excitement, trying to remember what life was like before the work began.
“I’ll go back and look at my job description and see what I haven’t been doing for the last three years and start doing that,” DeBolt joked Monday. “No, it’s been a lot of fun. You don’t get opportunities like this very often — to make a dramatic change and particularly to an iconic building like UD Arena.”
The final phase of the renovation will consist of an overhaul of west side of arena, locker rooms, media room, air conditioning, improved LED lighting and new elevators.
For the third straight year, construction will continue right up until near the start of the season. That means for the third straight season, it’s unlikely there will be Red and Blue scrimmages in October for the men’s and women’s teams.
The completed renovation of UD Arena coincides with its 50th birthday. The first game was played at the arena on Dec. 6, 1969, against Bowling Green. UD plans to celebrate that history and the reopening of the arena at the same time.
Ryan Berlin is digital content manager of Facilitiesnet.com.
