Iowa plans for major Carver-Hawkeye renovation

IOWA CITY — University of Iowa basketball fans at Carver-Hawkeye Arena can be loud and boisterous, as they were last week when their cheering drowned out the public address announcer in a pivotal game against Indiana.

The atmosphere also can become sedate in key moments despite a sold-out arena and announcements often sound muffled. Among the complaints about the 32-year-old facility is the audio and video experience. Iowa Athletics Director Gary Barta plans to rectify those concerns and amplify the Carver-Hawkeye Arena experience.

Plans are in motion for a pair of renovations to the arena, with the first phase slated for this summer. Among the upgrades include a new sound system, a video board over center court, new lights and a new playing court. A second phase — with an undetermined cost and completion date — includes several exterior upgrades.

'Phase one is really mostly about enhancing the fan experience,' Barta said. '(Last week's game against Indiana) was one of the most electric, loud nights at Carver-Hawkeye Arena that I've remembered in a long, long time. It's great to see that energy back in the building. I was envisioning it with the new video system, the new sound system, new lights, just that kind of excitement and environment. Obviously playing well is important to that, but there are a lot of things we'll be able to do with the new enhancements.'

While the final price tag is not set, Iowa finished a similar project at Kinnick Stadium two years ago costing about $9 million. Barta plans to take the project to the state Board of Regents this spring for approval.

'You can imagine the economy of scale from Kinnick to Carver is smaller,' Barta said. 'We anticipate it will be less than that.'

Iowa men's basketball coach Fran McCaffery is excited for the upgrade.

'I think it would make it a much better environment,' McCaffery said, 'to have the Jumbotron right at center court and improved sound system because you can barely hear what the guy says. We'll get a new floor, which we need. It's just going to make the place look fantastic, and the fan experience will be that much better.

'The intensity level is a lot different when you have the sound system we're going to have, not the one we've had.'

The sound quality at Carver-Hawkeye Arena ranks among the least audible in the Big Ten. Of the Big Ten's 14 members, Iowa's basketball arena is the only one without a midcourt video board.

The upgrades could impact the basketball program in multiple ways, senior guard Anthony Clemmons said.

'It's going to bring a lot more people here, a lot more students here,' Clemmons said. 'It's going to bring out a different impression of Carver and that's just going to make it a better arena. To have that, that's going to be great.

'(Jumbotrons) are cool, unique things. Not everybody has them. To be able to have that, that's going to be spectacular.'

Multiple sports and events at Iowa will benefit from the renovation. Iowa's men's and women's basketball teams combined for 30 games and three exhibitions at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The school's volleyball, wrestling and gymnastics programs also compete in the arena. Additionally, the arena holds annual graduations along with next month's United States Olympic Wrestling Trials.

'I think it will be good for everybody, the community,' Iowa basketball senior Adam Woodbury said. 'Obviously we play more than just basketball here.'

Barta has yet to set a timetable for the second phase, which he said 'is a little more visionary.' Plans are to create an atrium, a lobby and a front entrance for fans where the school can display its history. There's also potential for club seating areas.

'None of that has been designed yet,' Barta said. 'It's all in concept.'

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