Univ. Of Akron Plans To Renovate Arena Despite Potential Of New Downtown Facility

The Univ. of Akron plans to "renovate the James A. Rhodes Arena" instead of waiting to see if a "new basketball facility is built in downtown Akron," according to Rick Armon of the AKRON BEACON JOURNAL. UA President Scott Scarborough said that he is "awaiting an internal design proposal on how to upgrade the 5,500-seat, on-campus arena." He said, "Right now, the JAR is in need of some amount of renovation just to keep the experience at an acceptable level." Scarborough added that the upgrades are needed "even if the community builds an arena downtown." Armon reported the renovations will "be done in phases, with the first portion potentially included in the next school budget." UA did not disclose "specific ideas or renovations costs for Rhodes Arena, which opened in 1983 and is considered antiquated by modern standards." A school-commissioned study released in '12 "cited inadequate rest rooms and concessions, sight lines, seating, and areas for entertaining donors and special guests" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 12/26).