Rupp Arena unveils newly completed upgrades

Rupp Arena ushers in a new era of technology, as it unveils newly completed upgrades, including a new centre-hung video board and sound system.

Lexington Center and Rupp Arena have unveiled the much-anticipated technology upgrades this week, which began in May and have been underway throughout the summer and early autumn/fall.

Highlighting Lexington Center’s and Rupp Arena’s 40th Anniversary year, these improvements include a new centre-hung video board, new sound system, new venue video production equipment, LED courtside scorer’s table display, enhanced rigging grid for concerts, new east side/upper arena camera platform, and a fresh coat of blue paint on the HVAC ducts and structural support towers.

Additionally, the sports lighting used for basketball games has been replaced with energy efficient LED fixtures that provide better visibility while requiring substantially less power.

Other improvements scheduled over the next few months include installation of wireless internet throughout the Arena, replacing the video display in the Rupp Arena lobby, and new exterior marquis signs that hang on the Hyatt Regency Hotel at Broadway and W. Vine, and Broadway and High St.

According to Bill Owen, Lexington Center CEO and President:

These state-of-the-art technology upgrades and new installations provided by Lexington Center Corporation will greatly enhance Rupp Arena’s sports and concert fans’ experiences. They will also lead to significant increases in revenue which is vital to the operations of Lexington Convention Center, Lexington Opera House, Triangle Park and Rupp Arena.

 

The Lexington Center technical staff has worked diligently and tirelessly over the last six months to keep this major project on track to ensure a seamless transition into the 2017 event season, kicking off with Big Blue Madness on October 14th. We are excited to usher in a new decade of   premier entertainment in this newly upgraded, legendary venue.

Earlier improvements, which were part of the original US$15m project, were completed during the 2015-16 men’s basketball season and included: installation of new venue video production equipment (allowing for in-house HD video), replacing the four corner LED screens with HD state-of-the-art screens in a 16×9 aspect ratio, and LED ribbon boards installed along the upper arena fascia.

The latest installation of the integrated centre-hung video displays, completes the three-part super system, which began with the corner video displays and 360-degree ribbon displays installed by Daktronics late in 2015. The centre-hung video configuration features SMD LED video displays with tight 6mm line spacing to provide excellent image clarity and contrast to every seat within the Arena.

About Lexington Center

Lexington Center Corporation (LCC), an agency of Lexington’s local government, was built in 1975. Sharing its complex with the Hyatt Regency, LCC includes the Lexington Convention Center, The Shops at Lexington Center, Lexington Opera House and Rupp Arena, home court to the University of Kentucky Wildcats.

Main image (top): Concept image of Rupp Arena’s newly installed, centre-hung video board. Courtesy: Daktronics

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