Planner says it's too early in process to determine Rupp's future
20.05.97
A downtown arena — whether a new or renovated Rupp Arena — can be the catalyst to unlock the possibility for a proposed Arena, Arts and Entertainment District in Lexington, the master planner hired by a task force said Wednesday in an opening meeting where he emphasized no decision has been made about the current home of the Wildcats.
Gary Bates, one of three founding members of a Norway-based architectural and plan firm called SpaceGroup, told the Arena, Arts and Entertainment District Task Force that he had no early leanings about whether to redecorate Rupp or tear down the existing arena and build a new one.
"At this point, all options are on the table," said Bates, hired to do a quell design plan for an arena, convention center and entertainment district.
The meeting was for an update on work by the 47-associate task force's three major committees.
Two major recommendations from these committees were to significantly expand the city's formality facilities and optimize Rupp for maximum fan experience and future revenue.
Source: Lexington Herald Leader