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Posted on Mon, Mar 12, 2012 : 6:22 p.m.

U-M seeks to increase Yost Ice Arena renovation budget by $2 million

By Kellie Woodhouse

Renovations to Yost Ice Arena are turning out more expensive than University of Michigan first anticipated.

YOST-ICE-ARENA.JPG

New windows are driving up the price for Yost Ice Arena's renovation.

Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com

The school says it needs to increase the renovation budget by $2 million — to $16 million from $14 million — and will ask the Board of Regents for permission to do so at its monthly meeting at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Michigan Union.

The school put the project to bid in January and received five bids that were "higher than expected," according to a memo from Athletic Director David Brandon and U-M Chief Financial Officer Timothy Slottow to the regents.

The reason for the increase?

The cost of steel, bleachers and detailed historic windows.

"More detailed historic windows that will significantly enhance the exterior of the building when the project is completed," Brandon and Slottow wrote in the memo, adding that the cost of steel and bleachers is higher than first expected.

Funding for the project is derived entirely from Athletic Department resources.

The Athletic Department is seeking a speedy timetable for renovation, which will begin shortly after the hockey season and finish before the start of the 2012-2013 season.

The university plans to replace the majority of spectator seating and make improvements to Yost's east and west concourses. An existing level-four media balcony will be converted into a series of luxury boxes and a new level of seating on the arena's west side will be created for media. Corner platforms also will be added for more seating. Total seating, however, will decrease from about 6,200 to 5,800.

Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.

Comments

steven

Wed, Mar 14, 2012 : 9:10 p.m.

Wasn't Mary Sue Coleman just whining about not having enough money to spend?

Doug

Tue, Mar 13, 2012 : 11:55 p.m.

They need lounge seating, boxes, and indoor parking. I had season tickets for 25 years but got crowded out because of the lack of parking. The lot was usually full an hour before the game because it was used by so many venues and activities, and of course 1/4 of the lot was reserved for the "rich and famous". I still love Red and the team and follow them on the radio.

RWBill

Tue, Mar 13, 2012 : 12:16 a.m.

well, damn, everything sounded good right up to the decrease in seating.

Bmore_Wolverine

Tue, Mar 13, 2012 : 6:21 p.m.

Sparky79, Michigan hockey has not always sold out. In the 80's before Red took over, Michigan hockey was dreadful and few people attended games. When I was a freshman in 1990, we walked up to the ticket office the day of the first game and bought season tickets. They were about 6 rows up off the blue line. The Michigan Daily did a great story about the turn around in attendance at Yost. It's a great read: <a href="http://www.michigandaily.com/content/student-section" rel='nofollow'>http://www.michigandaily.com/content/student-section</a> Keep the arena small... at least until after Red retires and the next coach proves that the program will maintain its level of excellence.

Sparky79

Tue, Mar 13, 2012 : 3:29 p.m.

Michigan hockey always sold out in the past, so the point the waiting list for season tickets was in the hundreds if not over a thousand. Not so much the past few seasons, however. I think they said this past weekend it was only their 11th sellout of the year (out of about 20 home games). Heck, early in the season they were shilling tickets on Groupon because attendance was so poor, which is something they've NEVER done in the past. A few games only had 5,000 people there. I think basketball's resurgence played a part in this as people only can afford season tickets for one or the other and b-ball is the hot ticket right now. And I disagree that Michigan needs a new arena with a 7500-10000 seat capacity. Maybe 7500, but no way to 10K. In my opinion that will totally kill the atmosphere that makes Yost so great.

JGS

Tue, Mar 13, 2012 : 2:32 p.m.

As a season ticket holder for a decade and a half, I agree with your feelings regarding the decrease in seating. As others have stated, there's always been a high demand for season tickets. Even 15 years ago I had to put my name on a waiting list to get what I have now. If decreasing the seating means we get individual chairs and not benches then I guess I'm more for it than against it. However, I really think the University needs to look at building another facility with a capacity between 7500 and 10000. There needs to be a new ice arena that will allow for more and better flow of fans throughout the entire facility. Adding luxury boxes will not do this. I can see it now in 5 - 10 years (maybe 15), The Gordon &quot;Red&quot; Berenson Ice Arena (That's got a nice ring to it). At any rate, I'll continue to buy my tickets every year. GO BLUE!

GoBlue2009

Tue, Mar 13, 2012 : 1:53 p.m.

Michigan Hockey has always sold out: in fact, the demand is often greater than the supply (6,637). I'm kind of upset capacity will drop below that. Now, we'll have less than Munn? GREAT.

Vette96drvr

Mon, Mar 12, 2012 : 10:35 p.m.

Great, I guess this means my season ticket package will cost me more next year. One good thing though, seating is DECREASING from 6200 to 5800. Does that means BOTH my cheecs will now fit in my seat as opposed to having to sit sideways as there is not enough room if everyone in our row shows up for the game? And I know what you are thinking (if you have not been to a game there), no, I am NOT overweight! Anxious to see how the place looks when it is done and GO BLUE! in the next round of CCHA hockey playoffs!!

a2miguy

Tue, Mar 13, 2012 : 3:02 p.m.

Vette... you complain that you don't have enough seat room, then say &quot;they are typically at about 60-70% capacity (estimating)&quot;?? The average attendance at Yost for the last decade has exceeded 6600 per game. Capacity is 6637. <a href="http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/052609aaa.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/052609aaa.html</a> I would suggest it is you who needs to &quot;keep you comments for something you have any knowledge whatsoever about.&quot;

Vette96drvr

Mon, Mar 12, 2012 : 11:50 p.m.

johnnya2, I HAPPILY buy my tickets every year and will continue to do so. It would be nice to get a full seat for my money though. That being said, please keep your comments for something you have any knowledge whatsoever about. It is obvious you have never been to a Michigan hockey game since the only sell out in recent times I believe was the Big Chill. They are typically at about 60-70% capacity (estimating). Thank you, have a great life!

johnnya2

Mon, Mar 12, 2012 : 11:26 p.m.

Did we miss the part where they held a gun to your head and forced you to buy these tickets? If every game sells out, that means based on supply and demand they are actually charging too little.