We'll be there for the first game. Anxious to see the new/renovated facility.
Charlie
--Newly renovated Exactech Arena - O'Dome (E'Dome?) - ready to sparkle
Exactech Arena, media tour, o'Connell Center,
Workers finish hanging the signage at the newly renovated Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016. (Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun)
Published: Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 6:07 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 6:07 p.m.
The last of the orange and blue paint was being applied Thursday. The $2 million center-hung scoreboard is up. The inspections are just about done.
Students and parents will get a first glimpse of the $64.5 million O'Connell Center renovation Friday when the 36-year-old building opens its doors for fall commencement. Due to a $5.9 million naming-rights agreement with Gainesville medical device company Exactech, the new official name of the building will be Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center (call it the E'Dome for short, if you wish).
The first sporting event at the renovated arena will take place Dec. 21, when the Florida men's basketball team hosts Arkansas-Little Rock. The Florida women's basketball team will play its first game there Dec. 28 against Southeastern Louisiana.
Some initial work was done as far back as last January, but for the most part, it's been a nine-month sprint from mid-March to modernize the building's interior. The joint project of Davis Architects, Brasfield & Gorrie Contractors and the University of Florida Athletic Association came in on time and on budget, according to Chip Howard, Florida executive associate athletic director for internal affairs.
"The team has done a really good job of managing costs," Howard said. "They had factored in quite a bit of overtime, they've been working 24/7 on the facility here but they had factored that in, so I think from the efficiency standpoint, they've been really good with the dollars. I think we couldn't be more pleased."
For $64.5 million, fans will be treated to modern arena amenities and more walk-around space. Among the most impressive aspects of the renovation is the 17,000-to-20,000-square-foot expandable atrium entrance that will feature multiple food and beverage stands. The Florida Gators logo is painted on the entrance floor while a large Gator head mural is painted on one of the above walls for fans to see as they enter the building.
In addition to the $2 million center-hung scoreboard, there are four new scoreboards in each of the corners of the arena that can provide video replays.
"From a fan standpoint, as soon as you step in the arena, from the lighting to the enhanced sound system to the center-hung scoreboard plus we have the four Florida scoreboards, too, I think the experience will be off the charts," Howard said.
Lead architect Neil Davis said the biggest challenge in completing the project was time. Davis credited all parties coming together to get it done smoothly and efficiently.
"Literally, they were playing basketball in here less than six months ago and now they are getting ready to play basketball in here again," Davis said. "That in itself is amazing. Now architecturally, giving them something that they can be proud of, that was the biggest challenge."
As for seating, capacity was reduced from 11,548 to 10,133, but all seats now have chair backs. There are 530 club level seats. The "Courtside Club" above the club seating will feature a kitchen and wine and beer (alcohol sales will be allowed in the club section, but not the rest of the building). Club season tickets start at $1,500, with courtside seats going for $12,500.
The building also features twice as many women's restrooms and 33 percent more men's restrooms, with another kitchen at Gate 2.
From an athletics standpoint, new modern locker rooms and amenities should give Florida a boost in recruiting. The indoor track at the O'Connell Center was sacrificed for club seating, but the arena will still be home to UF's basketball, swimming, gymnastics and volleyball events.
"They're gonna have first-rate facilities to compete with any club in the league," Davis said. "They already have outstanding off-site facilities, but this will give them now an on-site presence where gameday facilities can be first-rate, top-flight."
Contact Kevin Brockway at 352-374-5054 or kevin.brockway@gvillesun.com. Also check out Brockway's blog at Gatorsports.com.
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1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions |
Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007)
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