{"id":7226,"date":"2014-06-07T15:28:35","date_gmt":"2014-06-07T19:28:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/capitalsportsnc.com\/?p=7226"},"modified":"2014-08-31T22:48:41","modified_gmt":"2014-09-01T02:48:41","slug":"reynolds-coliseum-to-get-complete-renovation-in-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/capitalsportsnc.com\/?p=7226","title":{"rendered":"Reynolds Coliseum to get complete renovation in ’15"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"reynoldscoliseum\"<\/a>There\u2019s an old saying \u201cout with the old and in with the new.\u201d But that doesn\u2019t apply to the $35 million renovation project of storied William Neal Reynolds Coliseum. Known as \u201cThe Old Barn,\u201d Reynolds has been a fixture near the center of the NC State campus for more than half a century.<\/p>\n

The first major renovation of the legendary building since 1949 will keep much of the original outside appearance. However, the new look on the inside will have breath-taking features sure to appeal to alums old and new, fans and potential recruits.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany more intimate components and details of this high-level concept will enable a high level of experience,\u201d reflects Michael Lipitz, Senior Associate Athletics Director.<\/p>\n

\u201cGetting the building up to code and installing all of the amenities such as air-conditioning, concessions, elevators and restrooms will deliver a great experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lipitz adds that extra care was taken during the design process to ensure that the exterior of the historic building maintains its original look. \u201cThere will be a new roof and windows, but the outside will look like the original Reynolds. There are only so many iconic arenas like Reynolds. Too many are falling by the wayside.\u201d<\/p>\n

Six decades ago, Reynolds was the basketball playground of the South. The largest arena between Atlantic City and New Orleans, it was host to the nation’s premier holiday basketball tournament — the Dixie Classic.<\/p>\n

In addition, Reynolds was also the site of the nation\u2019s premier post-season event \u2013 the ACC Tournament \u2013 the forerunner of today\u2019s collegiate post-season tournaments. The storied structure housed Ice Capades, concerts, the the circus and other premier entertainment.<\/p>\n

Four sitting U.S. Presidents, Lyndon Johnson, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Barack Obama, have addressed crowds in Reynolds, as did John F. Kennedy when he was campaigning. Public address announcer C.A. Dillon, Jr. kept rabid crowds in a frenzy for an incredible 50 years. And after the 1983 Cardiac Pack won the NCAA title, over 20,000 Wolfpackers jammed the arena when coach Jim Valvano\u2019s national champions returned from their Cinderella triumph.<\/p>\n

Construction on the renovation will commence in March of 2015 and the building will be vacated until the completion date — scheduled for August of 2016. The project is a combined effort of NC State Athletics and the NC State Student Aid Association \u2013 The Wolfpack Club.<\/p>\n

Entering the original storied entrance will give Wolfpack fans the opportunity to view a completely re-modeled arena. Today’s capacity is at just over 8,000, the renovated Reynolds will seat 6,000 spectators for convocations and festivals and 5,500 for basketball. The seating, locker rooms and training rooms surrounding Kay Yow Court will be on equal footing with the nation\u2019s top collegiate women\u2019s facilities.<\/p>\n

In addition to the basketball court itself, other renovations include training rooms for wrestling, volleyball, gymnastics and rifle.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf NC State is serious about competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference and having the best basketball, wrestling, volleyball and gymnastics in the country, it needs a place to train, compete and recruit,\u201d Lipitz continued. \u201cThis puts us in the game. There won\u2019t be a place anywhere in the country like this one \u2013 the arena and environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Visitors entering the entrance on the north end of the building will soon realize that while the exterior of the building is historic, the interior is state-of-the-art. The NC State Walk of Fame and History promises to be an area that stirs the hearts of all the Wolfpack faithful.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce a person walks into the historic North lobby, they will see the pageantry and envision what has happened at NC State athletics over the decades,\u201d Lipitz continues.<\/p>\n

Displays will introduce NC State athletic greats of yesteryear \u2013 players, coaches and significant contributors.<\/p>\n

Memorabilia and memories will be on display in both physical form through artifacts and multimedia presentations. Each display will be able to be adjusted as time marches on and additional accomplishments are achieved.<\/p>\n

NC State\u2019s unofficial athletics historian and author Tim Peeler has been an invaluable piece in the development of the Walk of Fame and History. His search and rescue mission of NC State memorabilia has been remarkable.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank goodness for Tim helping put this together,\u201d Lipitz adds. \u201cThis has been and is a work in progress \u2013 categorizing the items and features. But in the end, we know that there will be something that everybody is proud of.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the west side, adjacent to the Case Athletic Center parking lot, halls will be widened and there will be a spacious new media room. Upon entering the building on the south end, fans will view the basketball court via an unobstructed, 35-foot spacious corridor outlined by concession and merchandising stands and restrooms.<\/p>\n

With a Talley Student Union and new student bookstore operating just next door, there will be increased foot traffic along Cates Avenue. In addition to new food court options for students, the area around the historic building will be busy with student-athletes headed for team training facilities, including a sports medicine venue.<\/p>\n

In short, Reynolds will be a place for students, alums and recruits to relive State\u2019s athletic past and enjoy live competition in a state-of-the-art facility that should produce extraordinary benefits for years to come.<\/p>\n

Below is a detailed view of the scope of the renovation:
\n\u2022 Although still designated as one of nine \u201challowed spaces\u201d on the NC State campus, Reynolds Coliseum will be renovated to become state-of-the art facility.
\n\u2022 With renovation, Reynolds will serve as an on-campus gathering place for large-scale student events, (e.g. convocation, graduation, keynote speaker addresses, concerts and shows) benefiting one of the nation\u2019s leading research universities. Festival seating will be approximately 6,000.
\n\u2022 A Walk of Fame and History of NC State athletics will be created, including the NC State Athletics Hall of Fame. The entire history of NC State athletics will be featured with prominent athletes, coaches and contributors on display.
\n\u2022 The reconfigured playing arena will serve as the home for Wolfpack women\u2019s basketball, volleyball, wrestling and gymnastics and will seat approximately 5,500.
\n\u2022 The building will be air-conditioned.
\n\u2022 A new center-hung video board will highlight game action and secondary LED displays will enhance event and in-game experiences for participants and fans.
\n\u2022 A new roof will be installed as the project secures LEED Silver certification. All windows will be replaced to maintain their original appearance. New glass doors will flood light into the bowl arena.
\n\u2022 New concessions-merchandising points of sale, hospitality rooms, renovated restrooms and fan amenities will be included. East and West concourses will be expanded to 35 feet.
\n\u2022 Extensive new branding and graphics will flow through the Walk of Fame, area concourses and seating bowl.
\n\u2022 New offices for women\u2019s basketball and volleyball will overlook the \u201cGrand Hall\u201d and Walk of Fame and History from the second floor.
\n\u2022 A new video control room will serve as a hub for television, video board and online productions for 23 varsity sports.<\/p>\n

– News release<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s an old saying \u201cout with the old and in with the new.\u201d But that doesn\u2019t apply to the $35 million renovation project of storied…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[79,81],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7226","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-featured-stories","category-n-c-state-wolfpack","wpcat-79-id","wpcat-81-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/capitalsportsnc.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7226","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/capitalsportsnc.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/capitalsportsnc.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/capitalsportsnc.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/capitalsportsnc.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7226"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/capitalsportsnc.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7226\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7229,"href":"https:\/\/capitalsportsnc.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7226\/revisions\/7229"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/capitalsportsnc.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7226"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/capitalsportsnc.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7226"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/capitalsportsnc.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7226"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}