It will be smaller, somewhere over 7,000 seats, with most of the upper corners being turned into hospitality areas, with video boards below. New seats will be added down low, bringing the fans closer. Also the ceiling will be darkened, and the lighting brightened to give it a better, more intimate feeling.

Behind the scenes work will be done on the MEP of the building, and work on the locker rooms. I know you all will laugh at a smaller arena, but it does seem to work well with UR's size and normal crowd. Next year the concourse and other public spaces are to be renovated in Phase II

http://www.richmondspiders.com/ViewArtic...=207045261

(04-10-2013 05:35 PM)EPJr Wrote:  

It will be smaller, somewhere over 7,000 seats, with most of the upper corners being turned into hospitality areas, with video boards below. New seats will be added down low, bringing the fans closer. Also the ceiling will be darkened, and the lighting brightened to give it a better, more intimate feeling.

Behind the scenes work will be done on the MEP of the building, and work on the locker rooms. I know you all will laugh at a smaller arena, but it does seem to work well with UR's size and normal crowd. Next year the concourse and other public spaces are to be renovated in Phase II

http://www.richmondspiders.com/ViewArtic...=207045261

I know that many people laugh at the size of Robins Stadium. Most JMUers sneer at the size of our football stadium, calling it "The Bread Box" or an ODAC stadium. After Robins Center seating is reduced, many people will joke about it, just like the football stadium.

I'm a JMUer and I'm not sneering at the Robins Center. I liked before the Reno pics. Our basketball coliseum sucks. If you hear a JMUer laugh at any basketball court they are nuts.

new Robins Center BB Floor

The University of Richmond athletics department held an open house Thursday, and from the four brick-bordered video boards to the refinished court, evidence indicates the school reached its goal of a classy makeover.

The building is brighter thanks to new illumination men’s basketball coach Chris Mooney referred to as “HD lighting,” and seems to offer cleaner sound amplification.

“I think louder is better,” said Keith Gill, the school’s athletics director.


Mooney recognized the student section as the most important seating area in any college arena. In years past, most UR undergrads spread out high behind one basket in the same cushioned chairs occupied by other fans.

Now there is a consolidated student section closer to the floor with bleacher seating, which may be considered an encouragement to stand and cheer as a group.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/sports/coll...28cb6.html