Let me upgrade you 💅

Inside the $82 million Memorial Coliseum renovations

Memorial Coliseum — a tall stone building on UK's campus

Memorial Coliseum | Photo by Mark Cornelison

Last week, both the UK Athletics Committee and University Board of Trustees gave the green light to begin an $82 million renovation of the historic Memorial Coliseum.

Located at 201 Avenue of Champions, the 8,500-seat venue is home to the UK women’s basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, and STUNT teams.

⏰ Let’s rewind

1950 — Memorial Coliseum was built costing ~$4 million, and opened with a seating capacity of 11,500. Fun fact: It was home to the men’s basketball program until 1976.
1990 — A $1 million renovation introduced basketball and athletics administration offices, players’ lounges, a meeting room, and a state-of-the-art weight training facility. The renovation reduced the seating to 8,500.
1998 — The $2.4 million Center for Academic and Tutorial Services (CATS) opened inside Memorial.
2007 — A new video board and scoreboard were installed.
2008 — A new sound system was added.

A slideshow of renderings of memorial coliseum — Fans can get excited about a new video board, sound system, and updated seating. | Photos courtesy of UK Athletics

⏰ Fast forward

Renovations are set to begin after March 11, and the athletic competition areas are expected to be ready for team use by the fall of 2024.

In case you didn’t know, Memorial Coliseum was named to honor and pay tribute to the Kentucky servicemen and women who died in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and following military service. UK plans to enhance and highlight this recognition in the renovation.

Other key items include the not-so-exciting, but desperately needed new air conditioning system and updates to the offices and academic facilities.

Fans will be excited to see updated seating, upgraded lobby and concourse spaces, the addition of club seating, as well as an improved lighting and sound system.

Check out even more photos of the proposed changes and a peek back into history, online.

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Tuesday, Feb. 21

Teen Banned Books Club: This is My America | Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Northside Branch, 1733 Russell Cave Rd., Lexington | High school students are invited to participate in a mindful discussion of a recently banned or challenged book and the topics surrounding it.
Modern Western Square Dance Lessons | Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 7-9 p.m. | Southern Heights Baptist Church, 3408 Clays Mill Rd., Lexington | $0-$60 | Bring a friend or come solo and learn how to square dance from the experienced team at Do Si Dos Lexington in this 24-session series.

Wednesday, Feb. 22

Everything is Science | Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 6-8 p.m. | Wise Bird Cider, 1170 Manchester St., Lexington | Free | This evening of the Everything is Science Festival will feature discussions and demonstrations about the “Past.”

Thursday, Feb. 23

Finding Simplicity | Thursday, Feb. 23 | 4-6 p.m. | 230 Lexington Green Cir., Lexington | $20-$30| This workshop, hosted by the Lexington chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners, will explore ways to simplify and set healthy boundaries to create space for focus.

Friday, Feb. 24

Salsa Night, Brew & Groove | Friday, Feb. 24 | 7-10 p.m. | Blue Stallion Brewing Company, 610 W. 3rd St., Lexington | Free | Grab your friends and get ready to cut a rug with Caribbean dance moves taught by The Salsa Center Latin dance instructors.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

59º | Partly cloudy | 8% chance of rain

Open

A new health and wellness lounge called The Recovery Room is open at 3851 Mall Rd., near Lexington Athletic Club. Check out its wellness and recovery options like cold water immersion, assisted stretching, red light, and compression therapies. Monthly memberships + one-time sessions are available now.

Plan Ahead

The 74th annual Southeastern Theater Conference Convention is coming to Lexington from Wednesday, March 1 to Sunday, March 5. During the event, “Lucidity: A New Musical” will premiere, which was written by and stars students from UK’s Department of Theater and Dance. 🎟️

Kids

Registration for Lexington Parks & Recreation camps begins today at 10 a.m. There are over 18 camps and 85+ sessions for your kiddos to learn about everything from horseback riding and dance to swimming and golf.

Active

Looking for a little more motivation to get moving outside? Check out Card.io — an app created by UK alum Destin George Bell — that allows runners, walkers, and cyclists to “claim” the routes they use in the community. Be sure to bring this up at your next run club meet-up. 👟

State

Last week, Gov. Andy Beshear signed House Bill 1 into law — reducing Kentucky’s income tax by another 0.5 percent. This change will go into effect Jan. 1, 2024, making the income tax level an even four percent. (The Lane Report)

Try This

Tomorrow is National Margarita Day. Celebrate with Simple Time Mixers by sipping on the Margarita Bundle or the Margarita Madness 3-Pack. Will that be salt or sugar on the rim? 🍹

Eat

Every dinner’s a party when the food tastes good. Home Chef’s meal kit delivery service takes the stress out of mealtimes with fresh, pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe cards, delivered right to your door. Order your first box — for 75% off.*

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THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Molly.

Editor’s pick: Calling all Kayla Weber Art fans. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, Feb. 28 for the release of her “Vintage Equestrian Collection” which hits her website at 8 p.m. I don’t know about you, but my alarm is set + fingers are crossed.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Read about three historical sites with presidential ties, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Molly Thompson, Aayat Ali, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Marin Fiske | Advertise with us.

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