The Univ. of Florida men's basketball team yesterday debuted the renovated Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center, beating Arkansas-Little Rock 94-71 before an "announced crowd of 10,655," according to Kevin Brockway of the GAINESVILLE SUN. UF played its first 11 games "off campus this season and had a 17-game, 295-day stretch away from Gainesville overall" while the arena's $64.5M makeover was being completed (GAINESVILLE SUN, 12/22). In Jacksonville, Garry Smits noted visitors were "greeted with a more modern" look at the arena's entrance. The actual seating capacity has been "reduced from nearly 12,000 to 10,133 to accommodate chair-back seating." There are also "club seats and 12 four-seat boxes," while the concession areas and bathrooms "have been expanded." UF Exec Associate AD/Internal Affairs Chip Howard said that the "biggest difference" will be a $2M video board that will "hang over center court, with four more video boards in each corner" that cost a combined $1.5M. The sound system has also been upgraded. Meanwhile, there are some "pricey areas that most fans will see only from a distance." The 530 club seats sell for $1,500. For $12,500 for the season, 50 fans can "buy a spot in the Courtside Club, a private viewing and dining area." Smits noted the project "finished on time, despite losing a few days due to Hurricane Matthew" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 12/18). Howard: "To me, it's a new arena. I think that's what might take people by surprise when they get in and experience the game." In Orlando, Edgar Thompson noted the new LED lighting makes the arena "feel more expansive and lights up the court, giving fans a good view from any vantage point" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 12/21).
