Alabama's coliseum getting $26.5 million makeover

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) Alabama&#39;s basketball team won&#39;t be the only thing at Coleman Coliseum featuring a new look.<br> <br> There&#39;s also the lobby, the lighting, the paint schemes and the seats.<br> <br> The Crimson Tide&#39;s basketball arena is getting a makeover in everything from the concessions area to the lockerrooms, with more restrooms and new arena seating also included in the upgrade.<br> <br> ``It will have a &#39;wow&#39; effect on fans when they walk through the doors,&#39;&#39; said Thad Turnipseed, Alabama&#39;s director of athletic capital projects.<br> <br> The revamping of Coleman Coliseum, part of the athletic department upgrades funded through a capital campaign, is scheduled for completion Nov. 3, 12 days before the Tide&#39;s season opener.<br> <br> Down the street, Bryant-Denny Stadium&#39;s north end zone is also getting a transformation expected to be done by the start of the football season on Sept. 3.<br> <br> Athletic director Mal Moore said the $26.5 million work on Coleman Coliseum is on schedule and long overdue.<br> <br> ``I took a walk-through a week ago, and Im pleased with what I saw,&#39;&#39; Moore told The Tuscaloosa News in a story Thursday. ``Not one thing had been done to it in 37 years. When you have a coliseum that old, you need to update it.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Alabama&#39;s program has been worthy of new digs in recent years. The Tide, which lost stars Kennedy Winston and Earnest Shelton from last season&#39;s team, has made four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances.<br> <br> The wall that used to obstruct the view directly into the 15,000-seat arena from the lobby is being knocked down, Turnipseed said. The concessions are being moved to the four corners of the lobby, which will have a higher ceiling.<br> <br> A new club level lounge will open onto the arena and will serve food before and during the game.<br> <br> A new lighting scheme will be installed inside the arena, diverting attention from the ceiling to the stands and the basketball court.<br> <br> Cushion seats are being added on the east and west sides of the arena behind each basket.<br> <br> The renovations extend to the outside, too. Two stone monuments sporting the ``A&#39;&#39; logo will be set in a brick circle on the street and a new entranceway is nearly done, Moore said.<br> <br> ``You cant build almost a brand new coliseum and not have it look nice on the outside,&#39;&#39; Moore said.<br> <br> The improvements could also help lure more events to Coleman Coliseum. University Programs President John Griffin said the arena has not had a major non-athletic event since Alan Jackson&#39;s homecoming concert in 1998.<br> <br> Information from: The Tuscaloosa News, http://www.tuscaloosanews.com<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)