Renovation of UT basketball arena includes new roof, luxury seats

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The $30 million renovation of the University of Tennessee&#39;s basketball arena is under way and scheduled to be completed by next fall, school officials say.<br> <br> 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.<br> <br> ``As we enter our 20th year at the arena, we want to make sure we&#39;re properly positioned for the next 20 years. This will have a huge impact and will breathe fresh air into our basketball programs,&#39;&#39; Hamilton said.<br> <br> 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.<br> <br> 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.<br> <br> 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.<br> <br> Officials are also considering replacing the facility&#39;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.<br> <br> Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt said she trusts the research the athletic administration has done on the pending project but admits she&#39;s partial to orange.<br> <br> ``I&#39;d like for it to be orange (seating),&#39;&#39; Summitt said. ``When you walk into that building, I think the orange is intimidating.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Information from: The Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com