UNLV is "quietly finalizing details to overhaul" Thomas & Mack Center, which "hosts everything from Rebels basketball to sold-out national rodeos to kids shows," according to Alan Snel of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. The arena is "among the busiest venues for its seating capacity in the world." Architect Klai Juba and design firm Woods Bagot "hope to complete" the $47M renovation in early '16. UNLV is spending $20-22M of the $47M on "mechanical upgrades such as replacing 30-year-old air handlers and water boilers." The electrical system also will "be tested, with aluminum wiring changed to copper." Thomas & Mack Center Exec Dir Mike Newcomb indicated that 8,000 new lower-bowl seats will be added at a cost of $3M, while improvements to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act "include increasing the number of seats for physically disabled to 101 from 26." The concourse and its "more than 150 points of sale will get a major sprucing with rebranded signs and new equipment at the concession stands." Newcomb "expects the number of concessions spots to increase" by 10%. Newcomb also said that energy costs are "expected to decrease because new air conditioning, hot water and lighting equipment will be installed." He expects a 10% "increase in the number of points of sale along the concourse from the arena improvements." Meanwhile, operating expenses are "expected to drop because of the new air systems and equipment." Newcomb said that the venue "has about 100 event days a year" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 2/4).
