Rupp Ponders Renovation

The future of the 35-year-old Rupp Arena hasn’t been so clear in recent times but a visit by Lexington, Ky., leaders to Madison Square Garden’s ongoing renovation in New York City could change all that.

Five members of the Lexington arena task force took a tour of MSG Nov. 15 and earned a new appreciation for renovating, rather than razing, a venue.

Developer Ray Ball told the Herald-Leader he’s now convinced that renovation is a good option for the Rupp.

“I really wasn’t aware you could renovate and still have events there,” he said. “A lot of things can be done to our facility I didn’t previously think were feasible.”

The MSG revamp is a lesson in keeping the lights on at a venue while renovating as the upgrades are completed in phases.

Also, the MSG improvements haven’t required the New York Knicks or Rangers to relocate, the paper noted. The University of Kentucky has apparently requested the arena task force reach a solution that wouldn’t require the school’s Wildcats basketball team to play elsewhere.

Officials in Lexington have been floating the idea of building a new arena for some time. The Rupp lacks skyboxes, seats with backs, wide concourses and adequate women’s restrooms. It also now competes with Louisville’s new KFC Yum! Center.