Southeast officials take a look at Show Me Center renovations

Efforts to improve the Show Me Center are on track for completion before Southeast Missouri State University students return in the fall.

On Friday, university officials and facilities management staff toured the venue, where construction crews worked to install a large new video scoreboard and retractable seating.

Just over $5.6 million is being spent on upgrades in the arena and replacing the building's roof. Construction began in May and is expected to wrap up by Aug. 1.

Southeast is paying for the renovations with one-time funds and an internal loan from the university's fund balance, according to a news release. The board of regents approved a prioritized, multiphase renovation plan for the Show Me Center in June 2014; ongoing work is the first phase.

The Show Me Center's lighting and sound systems, which along with the scoreboard and seating were original to the facility, also are being replaced.

Southeast Missouri State University board of regents members, Tom Meyer, left, and Jay Knudtson test out new seating with University President Carlos Vargas-Aburto at the Show Me Center on Friday. (Glenn Landberg)

"We're going on almost 28 years old, so some of our infrastructure is showing wear and tear," said Jim Barbatti, assistant director of the Show Me Center.

The renovations, he said, will replace "ancient technology with modern."

The Show Me Center opened in 1987.

The new seating will increase the Show Me Center's seating capacity by nearly 200 seats to 7,373, and it will allow more flexibility in seating configurations, said Carolyn Figliolo, the university's associate director of facilities management.

She also said the new seating will help the facility better accommodate events of all sizes.

Southeast Missouri State University president Carlos Vargas-Aburto walks down a flight of stairs with Board of Regents member Tom Meyer during a tour of the renovations Friday at the Show Me Center. (Glenn Landberg)

The new seats will range from 19 to 21 inches wide. The old retractable seats, said facilities management staff, had become difficult to move because of the length of use of the seat platform.

Southeast president Carlos Vargas-Aburto and members of the board of regents tried some of the new seats during Friday's tour.

The Show Me Center also will have an improved patron traffic flow to seating, versus pathways in 90-degree angles near exits/

entrances the facility had with the old seating.

Project manager Ben Eller said bleachers on the arena's west side will offer a better experience for students during sporting events. Kiefner Brothers is the general contractor on the interior renovation project, which university staff said Friday is about 75 percent complete.

More upgrades next year, which will need further approval by the board of regents, are tentatively planned to include parking lot replacement, new site lighting, renovations of meeting rooms and other improvements.

Kathy Mangels, the university's vice president of finance and administration, said patrons will appreciate the upgrades.

"You'll see a big difference when you come for an event," she said. "The sound, the lights, all will be a better quality."

The first large-scale events at the Show Me Center after completion of the renovations will be "welcome back" activities for students in late August.

eragan@semissourian.com

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