Iowa athletics finalizes video, audio upgrades at Carver

IOWA CITY — Iowa athletics has finalized plans to a $3.5 million upgrade to the video systems at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The department will take the project to Regents next week with a plan for completion by August. According to documents filed with state Board of Regents, the centerpiece is a large LED video display system hung over the arena's court with two sideline and two end-line facing displays along with a hoist attached to the existing steel support structure. There will be ribbon LED video displays along both sides and ends, eight courtside displays, one on the scorer's table and one in the tunnel.

The Gazette first reported the proposed upgrade last month. Daktronics supplied the winning bid at $2.758 million, but the video cost won't exceed $3.5 million. The existing video system will be repurposed or traded in.

Along with the video upgrade, Iowa will add a new control room and replace the arena's 30-plus-year-old sound system. The department plans to take out a $5.5 million loan with Wells Fargo to pay for the project.

Regents meet on April 20-21 in Council Bluffs.

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