[Updated] Ground Breaking For Pauley Renovation: Video, Photo Highlights
by Nestor on May 12, 2010 4:03 AM PDT
in Pauley Restoration
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PrintSo it's on. UCLA officially broke ground to began renovation for Pauley Pavilion this afternoon. The official site just released the following video with highlights of the ceremony. You are getting one of the first look at it as the time I am embedding it in this post it has "0" views:
Here is the release from our official site with the following comments from Chancellor Block:
"The next chapter in the illustrious history of Pauley Pavilion begins today," said Chancellor Block. "If the building's walls could talk they would tell the stories of thousands of students who over the last 45 years have gathered here during key moments in their UCLA experience - from freshman welcome and graduation, to intramural sports, Spring Sing and Bruin basketball, volleyball and gymnastics events. This project ensures that the legacy of Pauley Pavilion will live on in the 21st Century."
And Dan Guerrero:
"We are extremely grateful for the groundswell of support from more than 600 donors who have rallied around this legendary arena," said Guerrero. "Their gifts and pledges of more than $65 million have enabled us to begin construction and make the dream of a revitalized Pauley Pavilion a reality. But we have not yet reached our goal and invite Bruins everywhere to participate in the Campaign of Champions."
You can read rest of the release here. I will post some more pictures and links to photo gallery after the jump.
Per the official site there were "hundreds of excited students, faculty, alumni and Bruin supporters gathered to witness the milestone event." Here is how they looked:
Photo Credit: Official Site
They cheered on as Block, Guerrero, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Janina Montero, student-athlete Anna Li, and Matt Pauley, grandson of Edwin Pauley, picked up blue and gold shovels to turn over a patch of ground on the east side of Pauley Pavilion:
Photo Credit: Official Site
Coach Ben Howland was there and at least by this picture he looked to be in great mood:
Photo Credit: Official Site
Our women's basketball team also showed up:
Photo Credit: Official Site
Along with Tyus:
Hmm. I am detecting a theme around ice cream.
Besides those guys. Mike Warren, Rafer Johnson, Peter Vidmar,Andy Banachowski, Al Scates, and Rick Neuheisel showed up. Former Chancellors Charles Young and Norm Abrams were also in attendance.
Going back to the official release here are some of the highlights of the renovated Pauley Pavilion:
I hope we can get this done in time and get it ready for the start of 2011-12 season. BTW the recruiting class of 2012 headlined by recruits such as Shabbaz Muhammad is a very talented one. If the Bruins get back on track next season and build on it during their Southern California road show during 11-12 season (when they will play most of their games at the GW Forum with few sprinkled in around Staples Center, the OC and perhaps even the Inland Empire), Coach Howland will have a lot to sell with potential recruits who would want to break in one of the classic Cathedrals of college basketball.
Anyway, to check out the official photo gallery from today's event go over here. bruin805 was gracious enough to share some of his photos here. I know I criticized the official site for their photo gallery but props to them for firing off the video to us and sharing with us extra photos from the gallery. Give them points for effort.
If you were at the event, it would be great if you would consider blogging about it or sharing your photos etc in our fanposts section.
GO BRUINS.
UPDATE (N): Here is an extended video of the ceremony:
Its about 25 minutes long but worth watching for those of us living outside LA. GO BRUINS.
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For your information, the timeline:
Spring 2010— Exterior construction begins, Pauley remains available for programs
Spring 2011 — Pauley interior closes for renovation
Fall 2012 — Exterior and interior construction complete , Pauley reopens
are there in reference to UCLA academic quarters?
so basketball games will not be relocated to another location at any duration?
It was printed on the Program
We expect Basketball will be played next season, then someplace else for the 2011-2012 season.
All other (WBB, Volleyball, Gym) in Wooden Center.
I'm curious how sightlines are improved
Everything I see and have hear make it sound like they’re adding seats in the now empty spots, but the rest of the seating isn’t moving. That doesn’t make for better sightlines in my eyes.
For everything UCLA baseball, visit my UCLA baseball twitter.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on May 11, 2010 6:52 PM PDT reply actions
This is a major renovation
With major earthquake and fire code compliance changes coming they are going to completely gut the entire inside of the building. Every seat will be scrapped(I’d love to buy one)and every seating section will be chopped down and gutted to the superstructure of the building.
Based on the drawing of the inner concourse, the food concession area will be located on what is now the exterior of the building. Once the job is complete only the ceiling and the size of the bottom level will look the same. The seats are going to be bigger and have larger aisles; to accommodate this they will have to make the seating at a steeper angle. If I were to call the current angle of the 200 sections 35 degrees they might end up being closer to 45 when it is all done.
I’m curious if the students will still enter from the corner stairs or if they’ll come in from the new exterior concourse escalator. I’m looking forward to having the best arena in the Pac 10.
More on the seat size
Comparing these two pictures: the renovation rendering and a current photo; you can see differences in the number of seats in the 200 section.
If you look at the two sections at the end of the court in the 200 section, there are currently 14 seats per row. After the renovation it appears there will be 17 per row. Since the tunnels at the top of the section appear to be in the same place it’s likely the angle of the section will be steeper and come closer to the court than the current positioning. It’s also likely the current interior concourse will be slightly smaller with this arrangement.
Also...
No more sitting above the scoreboard!
How can they change the angle from 35 degrees
to 45 degrees with out major structural work in the second or third levels?
Maybe they are changing angles on the floor level.
Seat Positioning
I think they’re chopping out the concrete under the current seating sections. For what UCLA is spending you could build a new arena in a bad part of town for less money.
I like how CBH...
…mentioned that students use Pauley every day. He seems to be very in touch with the pulse of the campus and how much this facility means to everyone at UCLA…not just players and coaches.
When I was a student the IM fields were completely under construction (as well as the hospital and numerous other buildings). It was a nightmare playing IM sports because we had to relocate to less than ideal fields, so I hope they have some kind of plan to accommodate current students.
I can’t wait to see the finished product!
I just hope
that they fix the incline/shape of the steps – how many of you have almost fallen while walking down them in various places in Pauley – I know I have…!
by daggy on May 12, 2010 1:28 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
The new configuration looks great.
And the renovated building and locker room will help with recruiting.
Basketball will be played at the Forum
and at Staples for a couple of special games, while Pauley is closed.
That will be cool!
Bruin for life!!!!
You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one. - John Wooden
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