The University of Michigan voted unanimously Thursday to install new high definition (HD) video scoreboards at Michigan Stadium “The Big House”, Crisler Arena, the Michigan Wolverines college basketball home and Yost Ice Arena. The boards will be installed at each venue prior to the 2011-12 season.
Due to the construction at Crisler Arena, the Michigan Sports Television Production Studio, which manages and controls the video boards, will be relocated to Michigan Stadium until the arena is completed in 2012-13. The athletic department will convert to high-definition equipment with the installation of the new video boards.
The estimated cost of the project is $20 million. The athletic department will be funding the project through internal resources. The board also approved the second phase of renovations and an expansion of Crisler Arena.
“The renovations will take our classic facility and make it a first-class, modern venue that will be among the best in the country,” said Athletic Director Dave Brandon. “Our goal is to create a home court advantage for our teams while making the fan experience memorable from the moment they walk into the arena.”
The expansion will add approximately 63,000 gross square feet for new fan entrances, additional retail spaces and ticketing areas, as well as a private club space.
The renovation will improve seating for people with disabilities and provide expanded and renovated concourses to allow for an increase in restrooms, concessions and other fan amenities. All seats throughout the arena will be replaced.
Athletic resources and gifts will fund the $52 million project. The construction schedule for the second phase will be presented to the Regents when approval is sought for the schematic design.
TMP Architecture, assisted by Sink Combs Dethlefs, will begin the design work immediately. Those firms designed the new $23.2 million Basketball Player Development Center, which is scheduled to be completed later this year.
In October 2010, the Board of Regents approved the first phase of the Crisler renovation at a cost of $20 million. This first phase addresses the highest priority infrastructure needs such as repair of the roof, electrical, plumbing and air handling systems.
During the last decade, improvements to Crisler Arena (dedicated 1968) have included renovations to the men’s and women’s locker rooms, new lighting and sound systems, installation of courtside seating and updates to the strength and conditioning areas.