Utah Jazz: Big Plans Ahead for Vivint Arena

Dec 26, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; A general view outside of the Vivint Smart Home Area prior to the game betweeen the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; A general view outside of the Vivint Smart Home Area prior to the game betweeen the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports /
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Utah Jazz fans were treated to exciting news as the organization released detailed plans about the renovations that would be coming to Vivint Arena.

News that Vivint Arena, the home of the Utah Jazz, will receive extensive renovations in the near future has been relatively common knowledge over the past few months. It made headlines in mid-June when there was considerable controversy about the city of Salt Lake contributing $22 million towards the upgrades in the form of property tax reimbursements.

But now that the monetary arguments have died down and the renovation plans are a definite go, Jazz fans were given a real treat on Wednesday as detailed plans for the $125 million renovation were officially released.

Utah Jazz social media is now full of breathtaking renderings that give an idea of just how sharp the arena is going to look once it’s finalized. For even more great looks, check out this article released yesterday from KSL.

While there are several aspects of Vivint Arena that will be redone, some of the highlights include extended entrances, an outside video board on the northeast corner for outdoor watch parties (think Jurassic Park in Toronto), a two-story retail store, a new concessions area on the upper bowl, brightened concourses and a revamped locker room.

There have been several quotes from the Jazz organization and those putting the plans together that should get fans pretty excited about the upcoming changes. Regarding the new retail store, Murray Beynon, principal of SCI Architects said, “People will be blown away with how special it is.”

The goal of the new locker room is to draw the attention of potential free agents in the future and the brains behind the renovation described it by saying, “the player campus area will be second-to-none in the NBA.”

But perhaps the most exciting quote regarding the renovations came from Jazz owner Gail Miller herself when she said, “This should make no question that we are committed to being here, we are committed to getting a championship and we’re here for the long haul.”

So in other words, not only does the renovation signify a vast upgrade in modernizing the arena and improving the fan experience, but also the organization’s commitment to remaining loyal to Salt Lake City and turning the Jazz into winners once again.

According to Andy Larsen of KSL, most of the construction will take place after the 2016-17 season, which could be in April, May, or June, depending on the team’s postseason success (so, we’re planning on late June right?) and should be completed by October 2017.

This news comes shortly after the completion of the Jazz’s new court and the official release of the new jerseys for purchase.

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While the finalization of these stadium renovations is still a little ways off in the future, with new faces on the roster, changes to the look and feel of the brand, and upcoming modifications to the arena, it’s definitely an exciting time to be a Jazz fan.