University of Wyoming Assistant Athletic Director Randy Welniak says Phase one of a $30 million renovation project at the UW Arena-Auditorium will be wrapping up soon.

He says that phase includes widespread improvements inside the facility, including wider, more comfortable seats, improved lighting and sound systems and renovated locker rooms  Phase one also includes improvements to training facilities and two new state of the art video boards.

Welniak says phase two, which will get underway next year, will focus on improvements to the exterior of the building and will include a new east entrance to the building and other external improvements. Welniak says overall the changes should result in a better, more comfortable experience for both fans and athletes.

But the "double-A's" seating capacity will be reduced to approximately 11,500 from the current capacity of about 14,500 according to Welniak.

He says university officials feel that will still be enough for most events, adding "having a little demand isn't a bad thing".

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