Sports
$100M in renovations coming to ASU’s Desert Financial Arena
Desert Financial Arena is 52 years old and showing its age. Spectators have been lobbying for improvements for several years, and work finally got underway after graduations in May.
The venue is home to five sports: men’s and women’s basketball, gymnastics, wrestling and women’s volleyball.
Advertisement
Here are the things to know for now.
First phase of improvements
The multiyear renovations will cost an estimated $100 million. First phase improvements are all about fan comfort. Wider premium seats, boxes and padded lower-bowl chairs with cupholders will be added. That stage should be done by Labor Day, according to athletic director Graham Rossini.
Rossini said previously that all seats were the same size; there was no option.
The second phase of construction will begin in October, meaning renovations will continue during the season. Rossini expects to announce the “full scope of the project” and share renderings around that time.
Will seating capacity be affected?
The listed capacity of the venue is 14,198. With wider seats, there would be a lower capacity, but Rossini said the reduction would not be significant. There are seven Big 12 venues with seating capacities smaller than Desert Financial, and six are significantly smaller. Houston’s Fertitta Center is the smallest, seating 7,100.
Advertisement
None of the sports that play in the arena sell out games, so it shouldn’t reduce attendance.
What comes next?
Also in the works are a new court, new restrooms and the renovation of existing restrooms, new concession stand offerings, a new video board, locker room improvements, upgrades to the air conditioning system and ensuring ADA compliance with new elevators and accessible stairs with handrails to the event floor.
Renovations will also include a basketball court-level club for premium ticket holders. The club will have direct access to courtside seating.
“We’re excited about the vision that’s coming to life,” Rossini said. “Again, we want energy in the arena. We want it to be a home-court advantage for the five sports that play there.”
The Republic has more on improvements to other ASU facilities.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: $100M in renovations coming to ASU’s Desert Financial Arena
You must be logged in to post a comment Login