By Press Release Submitted to OnMilwaukee.com Published Jun 17, 2016 at 4:06 PM

Renovations and upgrades to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panther Arena will begin Monday, June 20th in anticipation of the 2016-17 Milwaukee Admirals season, their first at the arena since 1986-87.

The total cost of the project will be $6.3 million, of which $2 million will be provided by the Admirals and the remainder paid for by the Wisconsin Center District, who operates the Panther Arena as well as the Milwaukee Theatre and the Wisconsin Center.

"We are excited to get the renovations and improvements underway here at the Panther Arena," said Admirals Governor and CEO Harris Turer. "The facilities that will be created for players will be NHL-caliber and combined with the intimacy and fan-friendly atmosphere of the Arena, we will have a tremendous home ice advantage." 

 The keystone project to the renovations will be the addition of a new locker room for the Admirals, as well as a new locker room that will be used by the Milwaukee Wave Soccer team and visiting hockey and basketball teams.

Here is a complete list of projects to be completed this summer:

  • New Admirals Locker Room
  • New Wave/Visiting Hockey/Basketball Locker room
  • Commissary Kitchen Upgrades
  • Seat Replacement Phase 3 (Replacement of remaining blue seats)
  • Replace Existing Sport Lights and Work Lights with LEDs
  • Install WiFi Access Points in Arena Bowl
  • Purchase New Dasherboards with Optimized Acrylic
  • Purchase Retractable North Risers and Rink Side Risers
  • Purchase Necessary Equipment for Hockey
  • Upgrade South Upper and North Box Offices & Will Call Room
  • Team Store Expansion
  • Convert Police Room to 1st Aid Room
  • Kitchen & Concession Upgrades
  • Elevator Refurbish Ceiling and Floor
  • Concourse & Restroom Upgrades
  • Renovate Ticket Lobby & Concourse Floors
  • Arena Roof
  • Upgrade Media Room
  • Painting Upgrades

"The UW Milwaukee Panther Arena is home to the best variety of sports and entertainment events in Milwaukee," said Russ Staerkel, President of the Wisconsin Center District. "Facility investments including free WiFi, new seats, and expanded concessions will solidify our place as the best fan experience as well."

JP Cullen Construction, which is based out of Janesville, will oversee the projects which are scheduled to be completed this fall in advance of the Admirals home opener on October 29th. In business since 1892, JP Cullen is a $380 million full-service pre-construction and construction company with 600 employees, managing projects from $1,000 to over $80 million in size, including the Camp Randall Student Athlete Performance Center at the University of Wisconsin and the UWM School of Freshwater Sciences building.