KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The $30 million renovation of the University of Tennessee's basketball arena is under way and scheduled to be completed by next fall, school officials say.
The $13 to $14 million in improvements and additions to Thompson-Boling Arena and $15 million changes to the Pratt Pavilion practice facility are under construction now, according to UT athletic director Mike Hamilton.
"As we enter our 20th year at the arena, we want to make sure we're properly positioned for the next 20 years. This will have a huge impact and will breathe fresh air into our basketball programs," Hamilton said.
Capacity of the arena will fall from 24,535 to an estimated 21,000, Hamilton said. Roof capacity will be increased to allow for the hanging of a $2.5 million, four-screen scoreboard over midcourt.
Other changes to the arena include 32 suites, all of which have been sold out. Half of the suites will have 16 seats each and cost $50,000 a year. The rest will be $35,000-a-year suites with 10 seats.
Beneath the skybox suites is the addition of 140 club-style seats, which are larger and have access to a small lounge behind the section. Those seats, also sold out, are $4,000 per year.
Officials are also considering replacing the facility's orange seats with black seats -- a proposal some fans are against because orange is the school color. Hamilton said the seats might be changed if enough money is left over after making other updates.
Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt said she trusts the research the athletic administration has done on the pending project but admits she's partial to orange.
"I'd like for it to be orange (seating)," Summitt said. "When you walk into that building, I think the orange is intimidating."
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