Thanks for the update. Are all the various projects still on schedule?
State Farm Center Renovation
Thanks for the update. Are all the various projects still on schedule?
ilphotog
The camera never lies
- Champaign
Yes everything is on schedule and no issues ahead barring something unexpected etc. I'll add, the lower concourse flooring is 95% done, just one final exit area to finish.
ilphotog, any comments on differences with the new lighting? Or too soon to tell any difference?
ilphotog
The camera never lies
- Champaign
I was in the other day and they had some or most of them on, couldn't really tell. It seemed brighter, especially coming off of the ceiling. But all the seats are covered in plastic (dust) so it may not be accurate. One thing I did notice and have noticed with LED lights, it's a purer light. Best example, if you ever used the old style light bulbs and then switched to a Reveal light bulb. The old style gave off a softer almost dingy white look. Then when you put a Reveal in, it was a brighter purer white look. That's what I saw with the LED's. It should look a lot better on TV.
I've been assured that it will a huge difference, so we will see once everything is set up.
I haven't been following the updates much, so I apologize if this issue has been addressed before. Is anything being done to cover up the concrete in the concourses as well as the aisles and stairs in the arena itself. Despite all the nice work that had been done, last year when I went to games I thought that all the dark concrete made the place still look tired and dull.
ilphotog
The camera never lies
- Champaign
I don't believe that the concrete that has always been bare, that you see in the lower and upper concourses will be changed. The flooring, aisles (up/down) and stairs will be covered.
A lot of it should be covered by the new ribbon board as well. Those areas really stood out
Dan
Admin
The new sound system is being installed! There will be 6 speaker clusters like this one flying from the ceiling
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHzwCz-AFAl/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHzwCz-AFAl/
ilphotog
The camera never lies
- Champaign
Today's visit - Upper concourse nothing exciting, just continuing work on the restrooms and concession stand.
Lower concourse has all the new flooring installed, they are currently doing the floor of the portals and the concourse inside the arena.
The Hall of Fame room has been spray painted black, may just be a primer, don't know.
The locker rooms are moving along, lots of small detailed work being done in each one, the common area in between both lockers rooms is being finished with drywall. These should start to take shape in the next few weeks since the drywall work is almost complete.
Nothing new to report in the arena other than the flooring.
Outside on the South side of the building, they are tearing out all of the old asphalt walkways. These extended from the old down ramps on the SW, South and SE side's to the SE and SW parking lots. New concrete and light poles are/will be installed. Should look like the North side when complete.
Lower concourse has all the new flooring installed, they are currently doing the floor of the portals and the concourse inside the arena.
The Hall of Fame room has been spray painted black, may just be a primer, don't know.
The locker rooms are moving along, lots of small detailed work being done in each one, the common area in between both lockers rooms is being finished with drywall. These should start to take shape in the next few weeks since the drywall work is almost complete.
Nothing new to report in the arena other than the flooring.
Outside on the South side of the building, they are tearing out all of the old asphalt walkways. These extended from the old down ramps on the SW, South and SE side's to the SE and SW parking lots. New concrete and light poles are/will be installed. Should look like the North side when complete.
peace davids
- Colorado
Yeah, nobody needs to see the 6/29 pictures. :tsk:
peace davids
- Colorado
What is with the complete lack of excitement, motivation, and promotion on this these days? Come on DIA.
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TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Finally the ribbon board goes up. If I had to look at that awful concrete slab on TV again this year I was gonna lose it.
Illinifanatic4ever
- Orange & Blue Blood in my Veins
I cant wait until opening night!!!
Any updates from the renovation? Seems like a lot of time has passed without an update.
A Dierks Bentley concert is going to be the grand opening on October 27. Which, if you're into that is cool, I guess.
First Illini game is October 30th against Wash U and the first real game is 11/11 vs SEMO.
Anyway, that's 65 days to when they need to be done. The final countdown!
ilphotog
The camera never lies
- Champaign
Went by today for my 101st visit. Overall everything is on schedule and moving along nicely. The outside of the arena is almost done, just a few cosmetic and landscaping work to finish.
The arena is almost done, the ribbon board is 2/3 complete above the suites, the flooring is basically done in the walkways and steps. Not sure when the new scoreboard will arrive.
The lower concourse is basically done, just a small area of floor to finish at an exit.
The upper concourse looked a lot better this visit, last visit there was stuff everywhere as the equipment for the concession stands had arrived. All of the upper concession stands, have their equipment installed and currently being hooked up. Most if not all of the upper concession stands now have a mini kitchen attached. No more cooking everything downstairs and transporting the food upstairs.
Locker rooms - Both have the lockers installed, the showers and bathrooms are nearing completion. The area between the locker rooms (common area) will be moving along as soon as the locker rooms are done. At first I was worried that the locker rooms would be to small, but now that most of the bulk items have been installed, there will be plenty of room.
Training room - The hot and cold tubs are installed, this room is really taking shape now and looks really nice. These are located in their own room that opens into a treatment room that has an office and storage room on the other side.
Coaches locker rooms and other dressing rooms - Have been gutted, studs in place and electrical work going on currently. These all are being redone to make them ADA compliant. These also have their own bathrooms and showers.
Hall of Fame room - This room is really starting to take shape, a ton of electrical work has been done, many of the display area's are being custom built and will look awesome when done.
Clubs - Flooring has been installed in the Legacy Club and finishing touches being made. The Krush Club isn't as far along, but it will have different graphics and other features that will be included soon.
The arena is almost done, the ribbon board is 2/3 complete above the suites, the flooring is basically done in the walkways and steps. Not sure when the new scoreboard will arrive.
The lower concourse is basically done, just a small area of floor to finish at an exit.
The upper concourse looked a lot better this visit, last visit there was stuff everywhere as the equipment for the concession stands had arrived. All of the upper concession stands, have their equipment installed and currently being hooked up. Most if not all of the upper concession stands now have a mini kitchen attached. No more cooking everything downstairs and transporting the food upstairs.
Locker rooms - Both have the lockers installed, the showers and bathrooms are nearing completion. The area between the locker rooms (common area) will be moving along as soon as the locker rooms are done. At first I was worried that the locker rooms would be to small, but now that most of the bulk items have been installed, there will be plenty of room.
Training room - The hot and cold tubs are installed, this room is really taking shape now and looks really nice. These are located in their own room that opens into a treatment room that has an office and storage room on the other side.
Coaches locker rooms and other dressing rooms - Have been gutted, studs in place and electrical work going on currently. These all are being redone to make them ADA compliant. These also have their own bathrooms and showers.
Hall of Fame room - This room is really starting to take shape, a ton of electrical work has been done, many of the display area's are being custom built and will look awesome when done.
Clubs - Flooring has been installed in the Legacy Club and finishing touches being made. The Krush Club isn't as far along, but it will have different graphics and other features that will be included soon.
RichBradIllini
- Peoria
Well done! Thanks for a great update.
Very glad to hear this.
That we're spending all this money and the locker rooms aren't going to be fall-down extraordinary still kinda sticks in my craw, but we're at least upgrading to industry standard, so I'll live with it.