This past spring, the Wisconsin Center District and the Milwaukee Admirals began work on $6.3 million in renovations and building upgrades at the UWM Panther Arena.
As I wrote in July, The main work behind the scenes is the construction on the lower level of new locker rooms for the Admirals, who return to the building after a long stint at the Bradley Center. There will be new locker rooms for refs, for the Panthers and the Wave, too.
Among the ongoing work is the replacement of entire sections of seats in the bowl's uppermost reaches, along with painting work and lighting upgrades in the bowl. Other cosmetic enhancements are expected in some of the concourses, including bathroom renovations and upgrades to the concession stands.
For me, the most exciting work is the removal of the tile in the main lobby to expose the original terrazzo floors, which will have been restored. Right now, workers are busy matching colors for a few patches that need to be made. When that is complete, the new-again old floor will be buffed to a sleek shine.
The renovations will be complete in time for Flat Track Racing with Mama Tried on Friday, Oct. 7 and the Megadeth concert on Oct. 8. The Admirals kick off their first home season back in the Arena on Saturday, Oct. 29.
You can read more about the history of the Arena here and here.
Here are some photos, taken a few days ago, of the progress...
New seats are now being installed
Work recently began on concession stand upgrades
Bathroom renovations have also kicked off
Another view of the terrazzo in the lobby
A trainer's room under construction in the locker room
The Admirals locker room will have a dramatic curved wall
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
