University announces Convocation Center

The Board of Trustees is meeting this weekend, and they announced that a $150 million capital project list involving the entire campus. To sports fans, the key elements are renovations to the Ice Arena and, perhaps most importantly, a new convocation center that will be home to the Falcon hoops team.

From the University release:

The convocation center, a $36 million project, will serve as a venue for men's and women's basketball, volleyball, commencement ceremonies, student concerts and other student-related events. The center, which will be built on the east side of campus near the athletic complex, will be funded by a combination of private donations and bonded debt. Construction is expected to begin in early 2010.

Renovation of the Ice Arena will begin with infrastructure and exterior building improvements during spring semester 2009. Additional funds provided by private gifts will focus on team and fan amenities.

Note: we not talking tomorrow. We'll be playing in Anderson Arena probably until the end of the 2010-2011 season. If construction starts in early 2010, then the arena could be ready for an opening in November 2011.

I have said this before. I love Anderson Arena. Nothing makes me happier than to be there, and when its rocking, there's no better environment in sports, anywhere.

To me, its like Tiger Stadium. For all its fault, you knew the new place wouldn't be as good as the old place. It would have all the amenities, but it wouldn't be the same. And, in my opinion, that was right. And as much as we talk about how we will try to capture the Anderson ambiance in the new place, it won't be the same.

But I understand. Things have to change. People loved taking the train across country--the symbol of a better age. But, the airplane took over. Change is inevitable, and you might as well not wish for it not to happen, and remember what you had.

It will, by the way, be a long good bye.