Univ. of Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek said basketball's Bud Walton Arena is “somewhat tired and in need of renovation," according to Ryan Anderson of the ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE. Yurachek during a meeting of the UA System board of trustees “presented three possible scenarios for renovating the facility” that opened in November 1993. Work could "begin on the arena in March 2025" with an "‘ideal’ grand opening in November 2026." But Yurachek said they would "have to be very fortunate to hit all these dates.” He said that under this plan, UA basketball teams would “need to play home games away from Bud Walton Arena in November and December of 2025.” Yurachek also said the school has “hit a ceiling on revenue.” Anderson noted the arena's current capacity is “over 19,000, which makes it one of the largest on-campus arenas in college basketball.” More events, as well as “more ‘premium space,’ would generate additional revenue.” Under the first scenario, “only deferred maintenance needs -- from the seats and bleachers, to the floor and roof, to plumbing and restrooms -- would be addressed at the arena,” which would “cost an estimated” $44M. The second scenario would “address those deferred maintenance needs but also add more premium seating.” The arena “currently has no loge and club-level spaces,” and while suites "do exist, they would be enlarged and renovated.” This scenario “may remove 1,500-2,000 seats.” Yurachek said that the final plan would “encompass the improvements of the first two scenarios while also turning the arena into a true multi-purpose facility.” This would “include a new floor” as well as “a locker room and storage for gymnastics” (ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE, 3/15).
