The $8-million renovation of the KFC Yum Center is approaching its finishing stages and this renovation is being funded through the Capital Improvement Fund which started in June. To speed up the process, the arena was closed for the entire month of August to prevent any hindrance to the ongoing project, which was scheduled for completion sometime in fall.
As an iconic entertainment venue and home base for the University of Louisville‘s men’s and women’s basketball, it became necessary for the KFC Yum Center to maintain the amenities of the arena and keep up with the latest digital technology. Vince Tyra, the University of Louisville’s Athletic Director said, “The enhancements continue to keep a top notch arena at the very top. As the primary tenant, we appreciate AEG collaborating with our staff on the best outcome for all users of the arena.”
KFC Yum Center’s renovation showcases various changes and upgrades to the amenities, which will enhance the atmosphere of the facility for fans to get the best of various events such as UofL basketball games, NCAA championship events, concerts, and do much more. One of the noticeable additions to the arena would be the 130,000 square feet of carpet replacement, which also adds to the new look of the facility. This new carpet spans across 70 premium suites, 70 boxes, and various lounges; thereby, giving the arena a more comfortable, modern look and feel, as the old carpet had exceeded its life expectancy. In addition, up to seven concession stands, as well as the main course KFC bucket, were remodeled. Several logos were also upgraded to their current versions on the building’s exterior, such as KFC bucket, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut.
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The recent KFC Yum Center renovations have also brought about the installation of a new Samsung audio system in the arena, along with other features which include an audio upgrade of the new Linear Array Speaker system, system network switches, amplifiers, arena bowl speakers, and the renovations also included other improvements in their broadcasting technology. The meeting rooms in the center have also been equipped with new local controls that will ease the setup of sound delivery for events at the arena.
KFC Yum Center renovations also included a major upgrade of its multimedia unit. An estimated 12,000 square feet of LED display was installed in the arena. This setup consists of a six-screen video system hung in the center of the arena, a 360-degree ribbon board, courtside displays, and 42 LED screens placed at new locations inside the arena. The size of the display at the center of the court is three times the size of the old screen and measures up to 22 feet high and 44 feet wide.
Sam Kinnaird’s flooring company based in Louisville installed the new carpeting, while the audio upgrades were handled by both Performance Audio and Sound Ideas based in Louisville. The concession stands were designed and engineered by Indiana-based Gary Longest Construction, VGS, Sellersburg, Everbrite LLC, and Derby City Sign & Electric Inc. based in Louisville.
According to a statement by the General Manager of the KFC Yum Center, Eric Granger, the upgrades are part of a larger capital improvement plan to ensure that the KFC Yum Center maintains its physical amenities and becomes one of the best arenas in the nation. Granger also said, “Every one of these projects is important to help ASM Global and the Louisville Arena Authority achieve our goal of exceeding our client’s and customer’s expectations and providing the most optimal experience inside the arena”.
