The first thing you notice when you enter the newly renovated Reynolds Coliseum is the air conditioning — a welcome reprieve from the oppressive heat of the old Reynolds. The air conditioning system is one of the many new amenities that will greet NC State fans when the new Reynolds Coliseum opens this Friday after over a year of construction.
The new facility brings modern features to an old and historic building. The designers and NC State athletics department created the building with a tribute to history in mind.
“Part of the theme of the project was trying to preserve some of the history and the look that everybody loves about Reynolds, while blending in those modern amenities that everyone expects from a modern arena,” said Michael Lipitz, the deputy athletics director for internal operations and Reynolds Coliseum project manager.
The new Reynolds doubles as both an athletic arena and a NC State Athletics history museum.
After walking through the front lobby, which still contains the building’s original terrazzo floor and seal, patrons will find themselves in the grand hall of the Coliseum. With interactive touch screens, brightly lit display cases with authentic memorabilia and tributes to Wolfpack greats, the grand hall is an impressive display.
The grand hall is the heart of the new “Walk of Fame,” which is the interactive history museum housed within the arena. The museum will be open to the general public for free even on non-game days for patrons to explore and learn about NC State’s history.
The iconic track that ran around the upper concourse of the arena is gone, replaced by a new floor. Surrounding the upper concourse are 23 display cases, one for each of NC State’s current varsity sports. The cases are filled with memorabilia and historic items that showcase the individual histories and accomplishments of each of the sports. Next to each of the cases is a television screen, which will either play highlights of the featured team, a live feed of the game being played in the arena, or even non-collegiate games.
“We all talk about the history and memories, but there were a lot of people that weren’t here for that,” Lipitz said. “So to be able to tell our story is what I think is really special about this space now.”
Additionally, on the outer wall of the upper concourse there are signs that show the historic moments from Reynolds history. These signs sit atop plaques for each of the All-Americans in every sport from NC State’s history, starting from 1908 and circling all the way to 2016.
“There’s a reason we call it the ‘Walk of Fame’ and not just the Hall of Fame,” Lipitz said. “You have to get out and get around the building to see everything. That was intentional so that every time you turn the corner there’s something new and, in all likelihood, you won’t experience everything in one visit.”
There are also the modern amenities that make the arena a top-tier venue. The scoreboard is new, with better and brighter high-resolution screens. An LED sport lighting system illuminates a brightly painted court that gives the arena a glow the old Reynolds didn’t have. The ceiling is painted white, allowing for a huge difference in brightness. There are new LED screens behind the baskets and a new sound system that will keep fans in the action whether they are in their seats, on the concourse or in the bathroom.
The concourse was outfitted with three new concession stands and new terraces which will provide seating compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act for the first time. The bathrooms, ticket booths and lounge areas are all new.
The coolest feature is the noise meter, which is a tribute to the old noise meter that was housed in Reynolds Coliseum. When the crowd gets loud during games, lights on the concourse will build up until the noise meter reaches the red-light level, just like in the old Reynolds.
The athletics department hopes that the arena will become a gathering spot on campus that will draw students and Raleigh residents to the university.
“It’s a great new venue in the Raleigh area,” Lipitz said. “From comedy shows to concerts, a campus like NC State needs that.”
With the new renovations, the NC State athletics department has made major progress in its promise of getting all of NC State’s teams to a top-25 level. The new facilities put the teams that compete there in the country’s top tier. This will give them a boost in recruiting and fan support.
To think this renovation project was simply about the teams would be missing the point though. This renovation was for all the fans who packed into the old Reynolds to see Jim Valvano or Kay Yow-coached teams. It was also for the fans who built memories in the old building.
To see Reynolds renovated isn’t to see it lose its history and meaning. No, instead the renovation restores Reynolds to its old glory and provides the fans and athletes with the tribute they deserve.
The first opportunity to see the new Reynolds will be Friday at 11 a.m., when the NC State volleyball team takes on Delaware. Additionally, the Grand Opening Gala and Hall of Fame inductions will take place Sept. 16.
