In Lexington, Beth Musgrave noted the center-hung sound system at Rupp Arena "will be used for the last time" on May 8 for Kentucky's commencement. It will come down the next day after 40 years as UK preps for "installation of a new, state-of-the-art, center-hung scoreboard" as part of a $15M technology upgrade. The $2.7M scoreboard "will be 27 feet tall and 34 feet wide" and is "expected to be ready in early October before the UK men’s basketball season" (LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER, 4/25).
TWO FOR ONE: In Reno, Chris Murray noted the Nevada Board of Regents on Friday "approved a proposal" that would allow the school to install video boards at Mackay Stadium and Lawlor Events Center "by the start of next season." The project's estimated cost is $3.3M, with a "projected finish date by Aug. 15." Mackay’s video board was installed in '06, while Lawlor’s was installed in '98. Both are in "standard definition but will be upgraded to state-of-the-art high definition, with Mackay getting a new sound system, too." The upgrades "would be paid for via a loan from increased revenues associated with a recently approved new marketing contract with Learfield Sports" (RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL, 4/23).
GLASS HOUSES: In Ohio, Nicholas Piotrowicz noted Toledo has "contracted renovation work on its two most high-profile athletics facilities, the Glass Bowl and Savage Arena, plus a replacement of its artificial playing surface at the Glass Bowl." UT chose Cleveland-based Osborn Engineering to "perform the architectural work on its football and basketball facilities." The contract "stipulates a construction budget" of $4.6M. The school "plans to self-fund the facilities upgrades, which it projects to cost roughly" $6M (Toledo BLADE, 4/25).
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH: In Denver, Mike Chambers reports the Denver hockey team plans to "renovate and expand" its off-ice space at Magness Arena, spending as much as $2M by the beginning of the '17-18 season. In addition to a new locker room, the space "will include a new lounge for the players with a full kitchen, dry dressing room and coaches room" (DENVER POST, 4/26).
