Pauley Pavilion Expansion and Renovation Project
Pauley Pavilion, perhaps the most hallowed of all college basketball venues, is scheduled to receive the first-class expansion and renovation it deserves.
On Monday, May 11, on Nell and John Wooden Court, UCLA publicly announced the"Campaign of Champions" - consisting of the expansion and renovation plan as well as the funding component of the project.
"Pauley Pavilion is hallowed ground," said Dan Guerrero, Director of Athletics. "This iconic building has been home to many historic events and some of the greatest athletes to ever compete in intercollegiate athletics. Now is the time to create a 'new' Pauley Pavilion - one that will continue to serve the UCLA community for many years to come.
"There have been a number of wonderful moments during my time at UCLA, but the introduction of this project sits right at the top. I would like to thank the University and especially Chancellor Gene Block, not only for his commitment to our Athletic program, but for his leadership, vision, and support of this landmark project. Pauley Pavilion is a special place and this renovation will keep it among the nation's elite venues.
"Today marks the official launch of the $100M Campaign of Champions. I am proud to announce that $52.5 million has already been committed to the Campaign by donors and sponsors. A special acknowledgement must be provided to the Campaign of Champions Executive Committee, comprised of UCLA community leaders and former student-athletes, who have played a significant role in our fund raising efforts as well as shaping our plans and vision for this project."
The renovation plan not only improves Pauley Pavilion as a basketball arena, but also as a multi-purpose facility. Pauley Pavilion will continue to benefit the general student body, enabling the campus to host internal and external special events such as Commencement, and serve as the home of the men's and women's volleyball teams and the women's gymnastics squad. It preserves the tradition of the Pauley Pavilion everyone loves while giving UCLA a facility that can be used for the next generation.
The Los Angeles office of NBBJ, a leading global architecture and design firm, has provided the design plan for the project. The plan calls for an all new seating bowl with new aisles and steps with safety handrails; new seats, seating sections and entry points. A new retractable seating system on the lower level includes individual padded seats instead of benches and brings fans closer to the action. The renovated bowl includes over 1,000 additional seats, bringing the seating capacity to about 14,000, plus new lighting and sound systems.
The seating bowl will include a new center hung HD video board, as well as an LED ribbon board that encircles the arena interior.
The project includes new concourse and lobby space. The north side of the pavilion will become the front of the building and will feature a grand lobby. Overall, the facility will feature more than 25 additional points of sale for concessions and an increased number of restrooms with three times the amount of toilets currently available in the building.
New facilities under the north side lobby will include large locker rooms with player lounges for the men's and women's basketball teams, as well as a film room, sports medicine room, weight room and equipment room. A Pavilion Club on the mezzanine of the same structure will serve the campus for numerous special events as well as game day hospitality.
The current timeline calls for construction of the project to begin in February 2010. For the first year, the work will be focused on the north side and exterior of the facility. At the conclusion of the 2011 basketball season, Pauley Pavilion will close in order to begin work on the interior work. All programs currently held in the venue will take place at alternate sites until the completion of construction.
In Fall of 2012, the transformed Pauley Pavilion will open.
HIGHLIGHTS AND FACTS ABOUT THE PAULEY PAVILION RENOVATION
(source: UCLA Athletic Department)
Labels: Pauley Pavilion
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4 comments
4 Comments:
Does this mean we are going to start getting recruiting updates again?? I hope so!!
It is about time we rennovate the stadium. I like how they are keeping certain things though to keep that traditional look.
Recruits def. have much more marketing power nowadays than when Wooden was coaching and things like a new stadium, facility, and other nice amenities really draw more recruits and fans as well.
Very exciting indeed.
Looks great. I went to the new Yankee Stadium last week and saw the Red Sox beat my Yankees. Very similar to the old park, but the technology creates a more interactive atmosphere and the short lines at the concession stands and bathrooms were great. Seats a lot more comfortable too with more leg room. A new modern arena/stadium is like upgrading from coach to business class. Nothing but good can come from this.
As an Oregon Duck I am thrilled that the improvements at Pauley will improve the fan experience in the concourse and shops while leaving the bowl and playing arena virtually the same boring mortuary of an experience. As a duck fan I say bravo! As a potential UCLA grad student, Im baffled. Has the powers that be within the UCLA athletic world ever been to a college basketball game other than at Pauley? ANY areana? There are high school gyms that are more intimidating that Pauley. Even other pac 10 fans, although they get a recruiting advantage from facilaties vs. UCLA, find Pauley to be pretty embarrassing as a showcase for pac 10 men's basketball. Flat out embarrassing. Doesn't anyone down there understand that?
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