Submitted by Fox First at Ten on January 10th
SPOKANE, Wash. - The Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena will soon be able to fit hundreds more screaming fans for events ranging from concerts to the NCAA Tournament. Kevin Twohig with the Spokane Arena says the process has already begun. "It's really really remarkable. I think some of the most enthusiastic audiences we've ever had have been at the NCAA tournaments," he said.
Voters last April approved extensions of two taxes to finance $65 Million in work at the Convention Center, Centennial Trail, and the Spokane Arena. In fact, the purple chairs at the Arena are 18 years old.
"They don't make this chair anymore so when we break parts we have to get them made," Twohig says.
With tax payer funds, Spokane Arena officials will replace the existing seating with new black, space-saving seats. A total of 12,125 of them. They are considered more comfortable, padded in some sections, and upgraded for couple seating.
The facility will then meet the NCAA minimum seating requirement for future Men's Basketball Tournaments.
"I think the Zags will play here again with these new seats. I'm looking forward to it." Twohig said with a hug smile on his face.
The seats are set to be unveiled late summer 2013.
