CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham is interested in renovations that would modernize the Smith Center and provide more “revenue drivers,” he said during an interview on Saturday.
The UNC men’s basketball team is in 28th season playing at the Smith Center, which opened in 1986. Improvements have been made over the years – a video ribbon board debuted this season, and in recent years the sound and lighting systems were replaced – but the basic interior of the building has largely remained unchanged.
Cunningham said he is interested in adding luxury suites to the Smith Center, which was built before such amenities became commonplace in indoor sports arenas.
“We have suites and club seats in football (at Kenan Stadium) that work,” Cunningham said. “But we have an iconic structure here. You have to be very careful on how you do that. I think we want to make sure that the fans get the experience they expect when they come to a premier place.”
Cunningham said he envisions a renovated Smith Center would include “all the stuff that you would expect.” That could include luxury suites, a modernized concourse and new concession stands and bathrooms.
“We want a place that’s competitive for the team, number one,” Cunningham said. “And then a place that accommodates the interest and the needs of the fans.”
Cunningham said there have been “no serious discussions” about when the renovations might begin or what they might include. Those discussions would begin after the basketball season ends, he said. He acknowledged the need to modernize a building that lacks some of the amenities that have become standard in newer arenas.
UNC over the years has revamped Kenan Stadium, with the most recent changes coming in 2011. That’s when the university opened the Blue Zone, which features club seating and 20 luxury suites.
Among all of UNC’s facilities Cunningham said the one in the direst need of improvement is Fetzer Field, which is home to the men’s and women’s soccer, lacrosse and track teams.
“The one that needs the most help right now is Fetzer,” Cunningham said. “And I think after that it’d be the Smith Center.”
Comments
UNC State game
Mon, 02/25/2013 - 13:11 — SurferAC, looking forward to a write up from you on the UNC vs State game and also a "Look Back". Hope you are working on those?
Upcoming Articles from AC
Mon, 02/25/2013 - 18:16 — stateofmindAC is still working on getting UNC to explain 560 grade changes.
nice one
Tue, 02/26/2013 - 13:11 — SurferHaha, hard pill to swallow, huh?
Please!
Mon, 02/25/2013 - 10:41 — rayray421Please! Please! Please seat the students in the first 20 rows of the Dean Dome and put all the fans who don't get excited in the luxury boxes where they belong. It will make a 10-15 point difference in favor of the Heels and it will make opponents fear coming to play there. Please! You have the opportunity here to make the Dean Dome around the court as tough a place to play as Carmichael was. Do the right thing Bubba!
Please!
Mon, 02/25/2013 - 22:54 — ToughluvWow, started to write the exact same comment. I understand the rich alumni that sit in the big chairs down on the court level paid for the Dean Dome. But give the game back to the students who know how to make it loud.
Excellent call rayray421!!!
Suites-Dean Dome
Mon, 02/25/2013 - 09:57 — rubashovThe absolute wrong time to have this discussion.
# 1 Priority at UNC
Mon, 02/25/2013 - 09:34 — stateofmindI'll give UNC credit for knowing the things that are the most important to the fans, Rams Club, BOT and BOG.
Surprised
Mon, 02/25/2013 - 07:28 — SeenItAllIt takes a lot of guts to be promoting big time spending for luxury suites for the rich UNC faithful at a time when the university has been embarrassed beyond shame for allowing athletics to ruin its academic reputation.