Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
I just received an email from a contractor in the Kentucky area who subscribes to a contracting service website (KentuckyContractingRadio.com) and received this email yesterday about a new job in Lexington. It appears that the folks at UK are very serious about trying to get themselves a new arena to replace the “historic” Rupp Arena. Even more interesting, I think, is the size. 30,000 people? Why stop there? Let’s go 35k and pass up the Carrier Dome.
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August 27th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
KentuckyContractingRadio.com is so awful: they don’t even have a radio show!
MM
August 27th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
really? kentuckycontractingradio?
August 27th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
oh, and could you put a ‘Both’ button on the poll to the left. Thanks, ill hang up and listen.
August 27th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Can KSR hold a moustache contest at the first home game to support our Cats?
August 27th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
I love Rupp, but I hope this happens. 30,000 would be insane.
August 27th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
#5 — If it means that the 5,000+ bluehairs are moved up to luxury boxes, I’m all for it.
August 27th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
i am in favor of 35,000… imagine the student section we could set up
August 27th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
though that would mean some serious nose bleed seats
August 27th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
I heard they are going to call is Billy G.’s Saloon.
August 27th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Get it done…im not sold on the historic nature of Rupp Arena anyway.
August 27th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
We are going to want to name it Calipari Coliseum. Betting that it was part of his contract.
August 27th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
32 acres? That won’t hold an arena and all of the cars because Cal will propose tailgating at the games for all of those that can not enter.
Line from a classic movie: “We’re going to need a bigger boat.”
August 27th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Make it happen…Fake hit it on the nose…most of the Blue hairs will move to the lux boxes. That means more room for loud fans near the floor!
August 27th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
I got some semi-insider info:
Negotiations for new arena/new baseball field/commonwealth stadium additions are all going on now. Those negotiations are top secret though. The baseball/commonwealth stadium stuff will happen before new arena. Negotiations are with a 3rd party and the Lex government to build/fund a new complex.
August 27th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I only hope that we don’t sell out and let some sponsor name this arena or name it for a sponsor, I should say!
It has to be named something Kentucky Basketball!
Named after Rupp, Cawood, Keightley, etc.
August 27th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Billy Clyde Loves Makers Mark Court is my suggestion
August 27th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
KFC will buy the naming rights and it will be called “The Bucket.”
August 27th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Lets get it done is right!!!
15- I agree somewhat, but if thats what it takes then lets do something along the lines of “Kentucky Utility’s Wildcat Arena”.
Just wondering whats the deal with Commonwealth? Improvements or expanding. What would the capacity be if its expasion?
August 27th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
UK could easily fill a 50,000 seat arena, so why not go for it?
# 15 - I do somewhat agree, but like #18, I think it could be a compromise, that includes something UK, plus what ever else. The example given by #18 is a good one.
August 27th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Fake Gimel Court at KSR Arena? Anyone?
August 27th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I don’t think there is any doubt that a new arena will include corporate naming rights.
August 27th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
#20 - More like the Fake Gimel Memorial Ladies’ Bathroom.
August 27th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
I am really pumped about a new arena and have been behind the idea for years. First of all, the new arena needs to be ALL chairback seats, as anyone who has ever endured games upstairs in Rupp can attest. The cost will be immense and as distasteful as it may be to some, a major corporate sponsor may be necessary to fully fund the project. If Lexmark is even still Lexington’s largest private employer, they are hurting way too much to back this thing financially. What other options would there be? Yum! Brands or Papa Johns- both based in Louisville and both with major ties to U of L? Ashland Inc.? The best bet would be TMMK. They have the financial resources to make it happen and have shown a propensity for supporting the local community. Toyota Arena. Hmmmm. I’m sure a lot of folks would prefer an American-based company, but remember- Kentucky Utilities is owned by E.ON, which is based in Germany. How badly do we want this new arena? Hopefully somehow UK, the city, and the state can make it happen without a corporate sponsor, but if not- we all may have to accept it in order to get the new arena we all desire. If you build it they will come!!! Go Big Blue!
August 27th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
They could name it the A B C Arena
A dolph Rupp
B ill Keightley
C awood Ledford
August 27th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
I would love to see Maker’s Mark Collesium or something along those lines…
August 27th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
25- Agreed. That has a nice ring to it. Clyde would’ve loved it obviously. But with UK and the SEC’s stance on alcohol and the fact that they do not even serve beer at the games- much less liquor- I just don’t see it happening. But they sure don’t seem to have a problem with the UK/Maker’s Mark Commemorative Bottles, do they? My money is still on Toyota Wildcat Arena, but who really knows how this will turn out…as long as they get it done…I am really pumped about a 30k seat state-of-the-art arena for our Cats…
August 27th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
I agree. It should at least be bigger than Rupp. I say 30k plus. You know they’ll fill it. 30k plus is chance to REALLY show the basketball world that UK is king. Sure we fill Rupp, but averaging 30k would be the definitive statement. We rule and you do not.
September 16th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
[...] September 16, 2009 by Andrew Several weeks go North of Center published my article on the prospect of a new Rupp Arena. To my knowledge, IMG/ISG and the UK Athletics Department have yet to release any official news on the project, although those well-connected people have stumbled upon some rumblings. See Kentucky Sport’s Radio’s blog post, “Is There a New Arena in the Works?” [...]