UConn basketball arena is getting a $99 million facelift

Gampel Pavilion in Storrs will get a new roof and a basketball gameday suite.

Highlights

  • Upgrades include a new roof, basketball gameday suites, recruiting lounge, sports medicine space, and improved locker rooms.
  • New concessions and post-game media spaces will enhance fan and media experiences during games.
  • The renovation aims to elevate Gampel Pavilion to match the standards of competitors'college basketball arenas.

The University of Connecticut in Storrs has begun a long-planned $99.4 million makeover of its basketball arena.

The Hartford Courant reports that since it opened in 1990, Gampel Pavilion has been the home court for both the men's and women's basketball teams, but as time has passed, it has fallen behind other schools’ on-campus facilities in space and amenities. 

“Gampel Pavilion is one of the most electric atmospheres in all of college basketball, and our student-athletes and fans deserve a facility that matches the standard we hold ourselves to every day,” University Athletic Director David Benedict said.

The university says the first phase of the renovation includes a full roof replacement, the creation of a comprehensive Basketball Gameday Suite that feature a recruiting lounge, sports medicine space, team and coaches' locker rooms, a coaches' lounge and conference room, upgrades to the basketball officials' locker room, and post-game media and athletics meeting space.

New grab-and-go food concessions will replace the existing concession stands on each of the four corners of the bowl.

The project is being funded by $99.4 million in non-tax revenue raised through the sale of State of Connecticut "UConn 2000" bonds.

The first phase of the renovations will be completed in time for the 2026-27 season.

The architect is S/L/A/M Collaborative, and the construction manager is DPR Construction.

About the Author

Mike Kennedy

Senior Editor

Mike Kennedy has been writing about education for American School & University since 1999. He also has reported on schools and other topics for The Chicago Tribune, The Kansas City Star, The Kansas City Times and City News Bureau of Chicago. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.

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