By Becky Pallack | Arizona Daily Star
Describing the existing Tucson Convention Center arena as dreary and dingy, the Rio Nuevo board approved a $7.8 million project to revive the ’70s-era event center.
“What we tried to come up with was something that creates a wow factor,” said board chairman Fletcher McCusker.
Replacing the seats, adding a video scoreboard and acoustic material, replacing signage and lighting, painting with a new color scheme, and renovating the breezeway, bathrooms and concession stands are all part of the scope of work approved by the board at Monday’s meeting.
The $1.7 million in new seats won’t change the arena capacity, but they will be more comfortable and have cup holders.