By Andy Matarrese
The interior of the Chiles Center recently underwent remodeling and upgrades to the entrance and to the court, all in time for the high-profile men's basketball game against Oregon on Nov. 17.
Fans were treated to a new sign hung over the entrance, welcoming them to the arena. Changes also were made to the main concourse, replacing the drab brown paint job with a more sporty and athletic vinyl wrap. Wallpaper naming all the sports at UP was wrapped around the abutments, and purple pennants now hang over the trophy cases.
"(The changes) were driven largely by the decision that it's time to update the look and feel of the place," Athletic Director Larry Williams said.
Senior Trish Zurfluh has worked as receptionist in the athletic office in Chiles Center for three years, seeing the fall of mascots and changes in logos, along with the new changes in the building.
"It's like watching a transformation - a facelift, I'd say," Zurfluh said. "It just makes (the building) look sharper overall."
The decision to revamp the look of Chiles' interior came from the University's and Athletic Department's marketing departments. There was a consensus among both offices that Chiles, which has not been modified since its completion in 1983, save a remodel of some of the locker rooms two years ago, was in need of change.
Williams said that redoing the look of the Center was, in part, a matter or school pride and an attempt to create a positive first impression for guests.
"When you look at your living room, every once in a while you want to move your furniture," Williams said.
The money for the changes at the Chiles Center was donated by the arena's benefactor, Earle A. Chiles.
Other changes were less cosmetic and more for function. In the arena, the walls were painted black in order to make games look better on camera, which has become more of a concern since the Athletic Department made a deal with Comcast SportsNet to broadcast some men's basketball games.
The walls are intended to disappear from the shot and place more emphasis on the game's action.
As a part of routine maintenance, the court was sanded down and refinished. The court lines and logo were also redone.
Williams said that further changes are in the works. He'd like to see the wallpapering done in the other entrances and the other parts of the concourse. Plans are also in place to overhaul and modernize the memorabilia display.
"Our facility looks better and it makes our teams look better," Zurfluh said. "It's definitely worth the investment."
