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| The new Adams Center is decked with
5,500 cushioned seats in UM maroon. |
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New den ready
for Grizzlies
The finish line is in sight. After four years of planning, 16 months of construction, one
long season of displaced basketball teams and $14.7 million, the Adams Center is ready for
sports fans. "The first day I was here, in October 1995, the first thing President
Dennison said to me was, 'We need to do something about that field house,'" Athletic
Director Wayne Hogan remembers. "Getting this built wasn't easy, but now I think
people will understand that the wait was worth it."
Hogan said an official grand opening and ribbon cutting for the center will be held
Nov. 21, when the Grizzly basketball team opens regular season play.
The centerpiece of the remodeling was a facelift for the main basketball arena, which
now includes 5,500 cushion seats upholstered in UM maroon. With another 2,000 bleacher
seats, the place has an overall seating capacity of 7,500. The arena has four scoreboards
in the corners, and nice touches such as retractable risers around the gym floor and a
metal grid on the ceiling suited for stage lighting.
A new addition is the Grizzly Sky Club, a members-only area overhanging one side of the
arena. Ninety couples, who each pay a $5,000 annual fee, will have prime views of the
floor, as well as access to food catering and wet bar services. Eight $2,500 individual
memberships will be sold as well. Members will have access to most Adams Center and
Washington-Grizzly Stadium Events.
The remodeling also wrapped concourses around the main arena, adding more concessions
and rest rooms. Hogan hopes enhanced food and beverage selections, including commercial
offerings such as Pizza Hut, will increase UM's concession profits.
A major addition was the West Auxiliary Gym, a new practice facility. UM's new
volleyball venue, the gym has seating for 1,200 fans.
Other improvements include a larger weight room and locker rooms, as well as a
computer-equipped study room for UM's 270 student athletes.
With the renovation nearly complete, the Adams Center must start paying for itself.
Hogan said no tax dollars were used for the project, so the sports complex must generate
about $1 million in revenue each year to cover the bond payment. He hopes a $1 per ticket
price hike and increased concessions revenue will cover the cost.
He expects a quarter-million people to attend events at the center each year, creating
economic benefits for the Missoula area.
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