For those of you hoping Kentucky gets a new or renovated basketball arena in the near future - and I'm guessing that's just about all of you - there's good news: Lexington Mayor Jim Gray may have put a process in motion for getting one.On Tuesday, Gray called for a study to determine the feasibility of redesigning and renovating Rupp Arena. Gray said he will appoint a task force in the next two weeks to conduct the study, according to a story in the Lexington Herald-Leader.
While Gray didn't specifically call for a new arena, he didn't rule out the possibility of a new one if the study finds that the current facility is no longer sufficient.
"The first step should be to examine the existing facility to determine whether it could be utilized or whether it could not be utilized," Gray said, according to the Herald-Leader story.
University of Kentucky President Lee T. Todd, Jr. issued a statement Tuesday asking that UK be a part of the process.
"We appreciate Mayor Gray's interest in moving the Lexington Center to a new phase in the life of this facility," Todd said. "As the primary tenant of Rupp Arena, the university is very interested in being a part of the planning process. While past studies of a possible Rupp Arena renovation have identified several challenges, we are open to new ideas and participating in those discussions. We would encourage every idea to be considered, including the concept of a new arena."
According to the Herald-Leader story, Gray said Louisville's new KFC Yum! Center would be a "competitive benchmark" if a renovation was considered.
To read about the latest men's basketball facility news, including the thought of making Rupp Arena the "Wrigley Field of college basketball," check out Beverly Fortune's full story at the Herald-Leader's Web site.
yes rupp needs to have a renovation bad or a new arena