Construction underway at Carver-Hawkeye Arena

The University of Iowa has started its $47 million reconstruction to Carver-Hawkeye Arena with neither pomp nor circumstance.

Iowa Associate Athletics Director Rick Klatt said the economic recession convinced school officials to start modest construction rather than provide a ceremonial beginning to a two-year project.

 "It's happening, people are excited, we feel good that we're kind of on schedule," Klatt said. "Nothing has changed, we always talked about starting it this fall. Sure enough here we are, and off we go."

Last week, athletics administrators received permission from the state Board of Regents to issue $26 million in bonds for the project, with an annual debt service of $1.75 million beginning in 2012. School officials have raised more than $11 million in pledges for the project with a goal of raising $20 million privately.

Iowa received approval to renovate the arena and construct a new basketball practice facility on June 12, 2008. Severe flooding in the corridor tempered Iowa officials' excitement over the project throughout the summer, even slowing down fund-raising efforts.

The basketball facility and arena renovation includes a multi-court gym for the school's basketball and volleyball teams and a renovation to the wrestling complex. Each of those sports will receive new locker rooms, new offices for coaches and an 8,000-square foot strength and conditioning center.

The arena renovation plan includes 650 premium seats for men's basketball. A courtside seat for men's basketball is valued at $125,000 in giving over five years. A second-row seat will cost $60,000 over five years. There will be 50 seats in each row.

The arena also includes 550 premium club seats costing $12,500 per seat over five years. Two hospitality rooms also are included in the renovation.

Iowa City's Neumann Monson Architects and Kansas City-based HNTB are the project architects.