New UCA Arena-Basketball and Possibly Volleyball

Mulerider

Any ideas on when they will release further details about the construction of the new arena? It seems like they made an announcement that it was happening, but not much else? If I had to guess, it will be a major change in design and probably be more of a bowl design. Could we see a step up as well for capacity? While we haven't had any sold-out games in a long time, the University might want to use it as a multi-purpose facility. I could see us trying to design something similar to what UALR with seating all the way around. I think they will have to keep less expensive than what something like Liberty University or even Arkansas State has.

I'm guessing somewhere between 5,000 to 10,000 and that the UCA will use it as well to make money with events.

JoshUCA

I have not seen any updates. I'm sure it will be a while though. That initial information was from the UCA Board approving just looking into replacing the facility.

bearcountry

They are in the first step of any rebuild. From what I understand they found that replacing the AC units and fixing the damage to the interior would be more costly than just replacing the whole building so they went with exploring the cost to build new. Now I imagine they probably could use some of the bones of the old one but as for now they are in the stage of getting professionals give them estimates for building a new one. I'm sure the board and anyone else involved with it will want to give their input as they should. But as for tearing down the old one, that's gonna be a bit until this paperwork side of it is done.

Jmb3125

Besides the repair costs involved, the current facility is not fully ADA compliant, which is another big reason to replace it.

Mulerider

Any more updates as of 12/16/24? I'm betting we are still 3 or 4 years away on anything being completed.

silerwill

I know they’re taking bids from architects at the current moment. From what I’ve heard, they’re planning to select a firm by early January.

MountainBear

Awesome, thanks for the updates! I’m moving back to Conway soon and really looking forward to going to games with my little boy. We went to SEMO and the UofA game and he’s loved it. A new arena would be really cool.

MountainBear

Proposals are due 1/6/25, with determination of from in late January. Hopefully we will hear something around then. Below is the Request for Proposal.

https://uca.edu/procurement/files/2024/12/RFQ-UCA-25-037-UCA-Multipurpose-Arena-Feasibility-Study-Architectural-Design-Services-1.pdf

Mulerider

I’m hopeful and excited that a new arena will draw a better attedance at games. Not to mention help with recuriting and hopefully using it for other things.

JoshUCA

Mulerider I agree! I hope a new arena will get the Conway community to come out and see these teams and then keep coming back!

I really want to see the fans be able to get closer to the action. I know they’ve added the lower seats on the one side and that helped, but I would like it to be like that all around.

I would love to see us have something like High Point’s Qubein Center. It seats 4500 for basketball. It also has some suites up top, which would add to the revenue-generating potential.

Troy’s Trojan arena (5200)

GCU’s Global Credit Union Arena (7000)

Mulerider

I like the idea of Suites, but I’m sure many would have to be pre-sold because that could be a gamble. Aren’t many of the UALR ones unsold?

Mulerider

I like High Point’s, but think it would be too costly. I like a mix maybe between Troy’s and GCU’s. The video boards mid court would be sweet but much more expensive than we have now.

bearcountry

I like UNO Lakefront Arena. Circular arena with capacity nearly 8800. The upper seating is in the dark in this photo but I’ve been there and a new version all purple of this would be nice. Don’t look at the outside of that arena. Ugh.

Lakefront Arena

JoshUCA

bearcountry That’s nice and clean.

JoshUCA

LOL! The outsides is…unique.

MountainBear

About 4500 would be a great size. High points looks cool for sure.

Mulerider

MountainBear Yeah, I’ll be curious for the capacity. I’m sure they will want to host events such as graduations in it. See below for Top 10 crowd records. Wikipedia says capacity is 6,000. I would be ok with 5,000-7,000 in the right shape. Arkansas State I think built too big, but they are getting better at basketball now so not sure.

Farris Center Top 10 Crowds for Men’s Basketball

Rank Date Opponent Attendance

1. 1/20/10 Nicholls 5,297

2. 3/7/90 Harding 5,188

3. 11/21/12 Arkansas State 4,127

4. 2/19/92 Hendrix 3,500

⅐/80 Hendrix 3,500

6. 1/25/07 Southeastern Louisiana 3,450

7. 1/30/89 Hendrix 3,400

8. 2/24/83 Hendrix 3,344

9. 1/28/91 Hendrix 3,100

10. 1/26/84 Hendrix 3,000

JoshUCA

I think 7000ish would be a good size for graduation and to start having concerts and events like that there.

Man our attendance is atrocious! I know we haven’t been good in a while and hopefully that improves. I would LOVE to see us develop more consistent regional OOC rivalries with teams like A-State and Missouri State. We’ve got Little Rock. I also want to see us have home and home with some larger teams like Memphis.

Mulerider

JoshUCA It would be fun to play Arkansas Tech and Harding even if they are throw-away games (exhibition games) . While Hendrix and CBC are in town, they are much too low for attendance purposes. We don’t need to even think about playing Champion Christian (or a similar team ever again, it’s pointless).

I think we need to play UAPB, UALR and A-State every year. Would love to get regular games against Tulsa, Missouri State and LA Tech.

I think we are a long ways away from doing a home and home with a team like Memphis. I wish though. I would argue Ok State and Witchita State as well possibly.

bearcountry

Conway High is conducting its May graduation this year at Estes Stadium.

The UNO arena I showed above can hold 10,200 for graduation and holds many concerts and theatrical performances there yearly.

Honestly, it’s time UCA had a multipurpose arena for all those things. Also it’s time Conway High had a place IN TOWN to hold its graduation. UCA can provide that. Make a little money too with the concerts it can hold.