Mackey Arena

Infobox_Stadium
stadium_name = Mackey Arena| nickname =


location = Northwestern Ave
West Lafayette, IN 47907
broke_ground =
opened = December 2, 1967
closed =
demolished =
owner = Purdue University
operator = Purdue University
surface =
construction_cost= $6 Million (1967)
$99.5 Million (2007-2011 Renovation)
architect = HNTB Architecture (2007-2011 Renovation)
former_names = Purdue Arena| tenants = Purdue Boilermakers
(Basketball)| seating_capacity = 14,123

Mackey Arena is a multi-purpose arena located in West Lafayette, Indiana. Part of the Purdue University campus, it is home to the university's basketball teams, and occasionally hosts home games for the volleyball and wrestling teams. The arena opened in 1967 as a replacement for Lambert Fieldhouse.

Originally named Purdue Arena, it was renamed in 1972 to honor Purdue alumnus and long time athletic director Guy "Red" Mackey. On December 12, 1997, the floor was renamed Keady Court in honor of longtime men's coach Gene Keady. The circular arena, similar to many built in the 1960s, seats 14,123, and is considered by many as one of the loudest arenas in the nation due to its domed aluminum roof.fact|date=April 2008

In recent years, Mackey Arena has experienced numerous upgrades and improvements, including:
*1997 - New playing surface and basketball goals installedfact|date=April 2008
*1998 - Roof repaintedcite web |url=http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/SPORTS020102/50716005 |title=Profile: Mackey Arena |publisher=Lafayette Journal and Courier |accessdate=2008-07-03]
*2000 - New bleachers installedfact|date=April 2008
*2002 - Women's basketball locker room renovatedfact|date=April 2008
*2002 - Men's basketball locker room renovatedfact|date=April 2008
*2003 - Video and meeting room for women's basketball constructedfact|date=April 2008
*2003 - Team championship and Consensus All-American jersey banners hungfact|date=April 2008
*2003 - Men's basketball player lounge renovatedfact|date=April 2008
*2003 - Lower press row reconstructedfact|date=April 2008
*2003 - Press conference and media work room renovated<fact|date=April 2008
*2004 - Video board installedfact|date=April 2008
*2004 - Sound system installedfact|date=April 2008
*2005 - Playing surface refinishedfact|date=April 2008

Mackey Arena Complex Project

On May 18, 2007, the university's board of trustees voted to award a contract to HNTB Architecture of Kansas City, Mo., for a $99.5 million dollar project that extends from the outer edges of the arena north along Northwestern Avenue to Cherry Lane. A three-level structure is planned north of Mackey and currently is being referred to as the Student-Athlete Development Center. Its highlights include:
*A sports medicine facility approximately three and a half to four times larger than the current area in Mackey.
*A strength and weight training facility approximately four times larger than the existing Intercollegiate Athletic Facility weight room.
*An oversized basketball practice facility with a full-size court and three breakout shooting areas.
*The Drew and Britney Brees Student Athlete Academic Center, to which the couple donated $2M towards in the fall of 2007. [cite web |url=http://www.lafayette-online.com/news/purdue/2008/01/donors-push-mackey-arena-complex-toward-tip-off-time/ |title=Donors push Mackey Arena complex toward tip-off time |publisher=Purdue University News Service |author=Tanya Brown |date=2008-01-28 |accessdate=2008-07-03] The concourse width will be approximately doubled, concessions will increase four times (from 12 to 48 points of sale) and restrooms will increase three times for women and by 35 percent for men. In addition, the lower seating sections on the east side will be modified to allow for some premium seats, with club seats (fixed padded stadium chairs) and loge seats (office-style chairs on casters) provided. A limited number of premium courtside seats will be available in the west pit area. Accessible seating will increase approximately six times. Two club spaces will be created, one for general fans on the west side and a premium club to the east.

References

Carmin, Mike. Mackey Makeover. Lafayette Journal and Courier, June 18, 2006.

External links

* [http://purduesports.cstv.com/facilities/mackey-arena.html Mackey Arena at PurdueSports.com]
* [http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/SPORTS020102/50716005 Mackey Arena Profile from the Lafayette Journal & Courier]
* [http://purduesports.cstv.com/genrel/051807aar.html Mackey Arena Renovation Page]