Governor Paul Patton

(Dec. 27, 2000) — State, local, and university officials were on hand Wednesday, December 27, in Rupp Arena as Governor Paul Patton presented a $15 million check to Lexington Mayor Pam Miller for the expansion of Lexington Center and the renovation of Rupp Arena.

“The Lexington Center is an integral component of not only Fayette County’s economy and cultural life, but of Kentucky’s. It gives me great pleasure to present this investment in community, this funding that will allow renovations and modernization to make sure that the Center continues to fill its important role in the Commonwealth,” Governor Patton said.

UK Director of Athletics Larry Ivy

Current budget plans call for the city and state to spend a total of $45 million to $48 million on the renovation of the arena and the adjoining convention facilities at Lexington Center.

Wildcat basketball fans will begin enjoying the changes at the UK vs. Georgia game on January 6, 2001, as four jumbo video screens were unveiled. The screens were installed in Rupp Arena just last week as part of the renovation of the 25-year-old facility.

“The video system will be the first all-digital system in the country,” said Bill Owen, CEO of Lexington Center. “It’s state-of-the-art, cutting-edge technology.”

Each screen is 12’6″ high & 20′ wide. The screens will enhance the Rupp Arena experience with live game action, replays, pre-produced feature programming, and fan interactive features. The screens will be available to any arena user including UK basketball, Thoroughblades hockey, KHSAA Sweet 16, concerts, etc.-even for Fayette County high school graduations.

“The atmosphere surrounding a UK game at Rupp Arena in downtown Lexington is unique in the basketball world and would be very difficult to duplicate anywhere else,” said Larry Ivy, Athletics Director at the University of Kentucky, who has been highly involved in the renovation plans for the 23,000-seat home of the Wildcats.

In addition to the new screens, plans for Rupp Arena include a new entry pavilion, with almost 11,000 square feet of lobby space, upgrading of lighting and sound systems, and additional fan services on the upper arena and purple concourses.