First peek impresses IGHSAU staff

 CEDAR RAPIDS -- From Lisa Brinkmeyer's tone, the return of the state volleyball tournament to the U.S. Cellular Center will be worth the wait.Brinkmeyer was among seven Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union officials to view the renovated arena Wednesday. She came away impressed."It's very nice," said Brinkmeyer, an assistant director for the Union. "It's a big change, and as a facility, it certainly meets all of our expectations."Cedar Rapids has hosted the state volleyball tournament since 1991. It was at the U.S. Cellular Center through 2010, then renovation to the downtown facility forced it to the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena in 2011 and 2012.The four-day, five-class, 40-team event moves back to its normal home Nov. 12-15.(

PHOTO: Inside the U.S. Cellular Center)When it became clear in May 2012 that the facility would not be ready for last year's tournament, there was concern as to whether the Union would move the tournament out of town for good. But the Ice Arena was deemed the best option for one more year.The rent of $27,500 was waived for last year's event at the Ice Arena, and for the 2013 and 2014 tournaments at the U.S. Cellular Center.Rent will be discounted 50 percent ($13,750) in 2015, then will go back to full rate in 2016, the final year of the current agreement between IGHSAU and the U.S. Celluar Center.Brinkmeyer played in the 1992 state tournament here -- her Hubbard-Radcliffe squad was the Class 1A runner-up that year. She said the improvements at the Cellular Center between 2010 and today are marked.(

PHOTO: U.S. Cellular Center locker room)"Things like the color of the seats, to the structure, they're more modern," she said. "The corridor around the front of the building, it's beautiful. The natural light really enhances the newness to the facility."The hotel entryway is different, so flow into and out of the arena will be much better. And the locker rooms are a huge change. The old ones weren't very big or bright. The new ones are new and spacious."New LED scoreboards are another improvement.(

PHOTO: New LED scoreboards at the U.S. Cellular Center)One item that many coaches and players liked about the Ice Arena was its intimacy. Fans were close to the court.The seating arrangement at the U.S. Cellular Center will be similar to the old days, with fans elevated.Another potential downgrade is parking."Parking was a huge plus at the Ice Arena, and there will be some issues downtown," Brinkmeyer said. "But there is a new garage across (First Avenue), and I think once people get into the arena, it will be worth the wait."We love having this tournament in Cedar Rapids. They've rolled out the red carpet for us. They've made it very apparent that they're doing everything they can to make our experience is good -- and that the athletes' experience is even better."

*Note: Other than the top photo, other images were taken by IGHSAU staffer Jason Eslinger and sent to Twitter