While driving around Richmond Wednesday night, my wife Rhonda and I circled around a former car lot that housed two major car dealerships in the past 20 years. The Richmond Mall sits nearly vacant, with plenty of room for tenants. I hate wasted space and dislike letting a building sit empty after an establishment has moved to another location. Is that what would happen to Rupp Arena if new arena is built? That’s why I am in favor of renovating Rupp Arena. Here’s my take. Would love to hear what you think about it!
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If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. Rupp Arena isn’t ready to be changed from sacred ground to a hollow one.
City and athletic officials at the University of Kentucky have pondered whether to renovate the structure or simply build a new one during the past decade. When it comes to dollars and common sense, renovating the current arena is the best course of action to take, considering the history of the building and its stature in the college basketball universe.
Throughout its 35-year existence, the arena has experienced numerous upgrades and hasn’t fallen victim to hard times. In 2002, the lower-arena seats were changed from a multi-colored pattern to all blue and jumbo screens were added to all four corners of the arena to give it more of a modern appeal. The floor also has been replaced and consistent upgrades have been added during the past decade.
Kentucky officials have tried — without success — to privately collect funs to construct a new arena. City leaders in Lexington have also tried to come up with plans to replace Rupp, which also have proven to be an epic fail.
An on-campus arena sounds nice, but why build a new structure when the current one is among the best in the nation? The arena consistently ranks in the Top 5 in attendance on a yearly basis, doesn’t have problems filling the seats and remains one of the most modern arenas in the country despite its age.
Rather than mess with tradition and the John Wooden legacy, UCLA¿recently decided to renovate Pauley Pavilion, which will include a statue of the late Wooden, who passed away earlier this year. As successful as Duke has been over the past three decades, the Blue Devils still play in front of sold-out crowds at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Kansas still calls legendary Allen Fieldhouse, built in 1955, its home. Oklahoma State plays all of its home games at Gallagher-Iba Arena, which was constructed in 1938.¿Even with all the money that mega-Cowboys booster T. Boone Pickens has funneled into the program, Oklahoma State is content with its current structure.
Sure Louisville has a new arena, which opened just last year, but the Cardinals needed a new home. Louisville outgrew Freedom Hall and has a structure that features all the perks of a modern arena. However, it doesn’t have the same tradition that Rupp has built from the ground up since opening in 1976. The Cards will eventually build a lasting legacy in the KFC YUM! Center, but it will take time. A long time.
Aside from Rupp Arena, Kentucky also has the Craft Center as its practice facility. The Craft Center is one of the top practice units in the nation and a floor that the men’s basketball team doesn’t have to share with other athletic teams. Previously, the Cats shared Memorial Coliseum with the women’s basketball team, the volleyball team, which needed a play to practice warm-up shots and spikes.
The Craft Center and Rupp¿Arena give Kentucky a one-two punch as having one of the best practice and playing facilities in the country.
Although many like the idea of constructing a new arena, it looks like Kentucky is stuck with Rupp at least for the time being.
That’s not a bad thing.
Dec 01
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