UNM to Renovate, Modernize and Expand 40 Year Old "The Pit"

[Cheesesteak]

Saturday, January 28, 2006
New Mexico to get $15M for athletic facilities

Associated Press l ESPN

ALBUQUERQUE -- Gov. Bill Richardson promised Saturday to spend $15 million on improvements for University of New Mexico athletic facilities, highlighted by $8 million to renovate, modernize and expand The Pit.

Richardson also said $6 million will be provided to build an indoor practice facility for football and other sports. It will be constructed on one of the existing football practice fields south of University Stadium.

The governor also pledged $1 million for locker rooms and meeting rooms for the men's and women's soccer programs.

University Arena, as the venerable college basketball venue is officially called, turns 40 later this year. Richardson alluded to the history of the building, where Jim Valvano's team at North Carolina State beat Houston to win the 1983 NCAA title.

"If it is to continue to be one of the best arenas in college basketball, it has to be updated," Richardson said. "This is the first step in that effort."

Besides serving as home of the UNM men's and women's basketball teams, The Pit also is used for the state high school basketball tournament, concerts and other events.

New Mexico athletic director Rudy Davalos said the overhaul "is a benefit not only to Lobo athletics and our fans, but to the entire state of New Mexico.

"It will greatly enhance the state boys and girls high school basketball tournaments, NCAA basketball tournaments that UNM plans to host, plus other events like concerts and shows," Davalos said.

Plans call for expansion of The Pit's north, east and west concourses. The north concourse also will get a new entrance, ticket office and souvenir store. The expanded east and west concourses will have new restrooms and concessions areas.

[Pony_Fan]

Is he an alumni? Where is this money coming from?

[PK]

Is he an alumni? Where is this money coming from?

I would assume the New Mexico tax payers will be footing the bill. UNM is a state facility and just like building dorms and classrooms, the state picks up the tab. The operative wording is that the Governor promises to "spend" not "donate or raise" the amounts listed. They certainly won't be paying for it out of tuition and I doubt the Governer has that much excess cash laying around in his pocket.

[UTEPDallas]

It's my understanding there's a "sports fund" for New Mexico's universities. New Mexico State's Pan American Center is getting a facelift too. And Gov. Richardson convinced the WAC to take it's hoops tourney to Las Cruces next year. I heard the tourney will be held for two straight years and that the state will give the WAC $$$$ for having the tourney there.

BTW, UTEP's Don Haskins Center will get a facelift soon.