By Eric Stock
NORMAL – Illinois State’s Redbird Arena is approaching its 30th birthday and some of those 10,2000 seats are starting to show their age.
ISU Athletics Director Larry Lyons said the university plans to bring in an architect to redesign the lower bowl to improve the gameday experience for fans.
“The sky is kind of the limit here in terms of where they ideas can some from,” Lyons said. “Are there ways to enhance the actual seating of the spectator and then change the game atmosphere if we possibly can, or improve it. Obviously, that’s what we want to do.”
Lyons said those seats are so old they can’t get parts anymore so some would be replaced, but he adds any renovations are at least a year or two away.
Ideas include new suite seating, seats closer to the floor and new seating for the pep band.
“I think right now we are in the stage of ‘Let’s throw some ideas against the wall and see what sticks and then see what the price tag might be,’ ” Lyons added. “We can be a little creative here.”
Lyons said ISU plans to use cash reserves to pay for any renovations.
Redbird Arena opened in 1989. The multi-purpose facility is used for primarily for men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball.
“Even though this building is almost 30 years old still looks like it almost brand new,” Lyons said. “The staff that have maintained it have done a fabulous job. They make this building feel welcoming, warm and clean and making it an environment that people want to come to.”
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
Audio courtesy WZND
