- Regional Special Events Center
Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = Regional Special Events Center
nickname = "RSEC"
location = 1401 State Route 121 North, Murray, KY 42071
broke_ground = 1995
opened = September 12, 1998
owner =Murray State University
operated by = RSEC Staff
surface = 73,000 square feet
construction_cost = $23 million (est)
seating_capacity = 8,600 - Basketball
7,800 - Concerts
tenants =Murray State Racers , 1998 to presentThe Regional Special Events Center, also known as the RSEC, is a 8,600 seat
arena located inMurray, Kentucky near the intersection of Highway 121 and Highway 641. The arena is the home of theMurray State Racers Basketball teams.About the Arena
The arena was built as a replacement for Racer Arena, the school's former basketball arena. While Racer Arena was structurally sound (it still stands and is now used for volleyball), it was growing increasingly obsolete, and its capacity of 5,500 proved too small for the men's basketball program. After the Kentucky General Assembly appropriated $18 million for construction and the school raised an extra $2 million, ground was broken in 1997 and the RSEC opened in 1998.
While the RSEC is commonly used for basketball, it is also host to concerts, trade shows, and conventions.
The Regional Special Events Center uses a split-level concourse system, with the lower level section accessed through a lower level entrance (Quad A, Northeast Entrance just off Highway 121) and the upper level accessed through any entrance, primarily at the main entrance (Quad B, Southeast Entrance just off Gilbert Graves Drive).
;Lower LevelThe lower level is the main concourse and features street level access from two of the four gates located on Gilbert Graves and US Highway 121. This level accesses sections 101 to 121. It is on this level where the main ticket box offices are located. The lower level also features VIP concessions, locker rooms, the Murray Room (a banquet-style or meeting space for up to 200 people), and the administrative offices.
;Upper LevelThe Upper level accesses sections 201 through 222, as well as standing room and four concessions areas. Surrounding the upper level is a four lane rubberized track. The state-of-the-art rubberized floor provides a safe and comfortable indoor walking experience. The track is available to Murray State students, faculty and staff, as well as the local community. Just seven laps around the track is equal to one mile.
Other Features
;Main Box OfficeThe Regional Special Events Center is a Ticketmaster facility. All tickets can be bought at the facility, or online.
;Sports Medicine RoomThis large area is dedicated solely to the care and health of MSU athletes. It includes two general offices and a doctor's office, as well as a whirlpool room.
;Weight RoomThis room is utilized by the men's and women's basketball teams for strength training. All athletes who utilize the weight room are in direct supervision of their trainer.
;Officials Locker RoomsThese rooms not only serve as the place where officials will come to prepare for games, but also as production offices for concerts and other special events. Road managers and the production staff have online access in these rooms.
;Loading Dock AreaBuilt for convenience and easy access, the loading dock area includes three bays that are large enough to drive three 18-wheelers through. It also offers show power and enough shore power for four buses.
References
External links
* [http://www.murraystate.edu/rsec RSEC website] .
* [http://www.murraystate.edu Murray State University home page] .
* [http://www.goracers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=6700&ATCLID=220461 GoRacers.com feature on the Regional Special Events Center] .
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
