The UAB Department of Athletics reached an historic milestone, officially breaking ground on the Bartow Arena renovation project, featuring new hospitality amenities, expanded courtside seating, improved seating for Gang Green, an entrance lobby expansion, replacement of lower bowl retractable seating, and concourse improvements, including updated lighting and restrooms.
“Bartow Arena is a time-honored venue for our campus and our community, hosting over four decades of exciting athletic competition, commencement ceremonies, and many other memorable events—all of which will be elevated by a modernized, state-of-the-art Bartow,” says UAB President Ray L. Watts M.D. “This renovation will help take our national profile and competitiveness—and our student and fan experience—to even greater heights, as we carry on our longtime commitment to excellence in a bold new era of UAB Athletics.”
University leaders, donors, community partners, and elected officials gathered on campus recently to celebrate the start of construction on the project that will enhance the overall gameday experience. The ceremony also featured comments from Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin, Director of Athletics Mark Ingram, Head Volleyball Coach Betsy Freeburg, Associate Women’s Basketball Coach Taren Martin, Head Men’s Basketball Coach Andy Kennedy, and inaugural UAB Athletics Foundation Chair Hatton Smith.
“Birmingham is a sports town,” says Woodfin. “The upgrades to Bartow Arena are not just a huge win for the Blazers, but a major win for our city as we continue to embrace our sports legacy and further establish Birmingham as a destination for sports and entertainment. Bartow Arena has been the site of many memorable moments. Gene Bartow stood for a commitment to excellence. This project showcases UAB’s continued commitment to the highest standard for its student athletes, fans, and the community at large.”
“The Bartow Arena Renovation will be transformational for UAB and for athletics,” notes Ingram. “It will mirror the modern aesthetics of our campus and provide an enhanced experience for all of our students and fans. Additionally, in an era where increased revenues are more important than ever, this renovation will assist us in adding more events to assist us in that effort.”
Bartow Arena is home to the UAB men’s and women’s basketball programs, as well as the volleyball program. The arena serves as a multipurpose venue for numerous university, community, and civic activities throughout the year. “We are truly excited about the Bartow Arena renovation project,” says Kennedy. “There is so much history within these walls, and now we have an opportunity to build on that legacy in a way that will impact not only UAB Basketball, but the entire Birmingham community. A modernized arena will create the first-class experience that our fans, students, and community deserve. This building has already provided our program with so many unforgettable moments, and now we begin an exciting new chapter for UAB Basketball.”
“Bartow Arena has been the home of so many special moments for UAB Athletics,” Martin says. “This renovation represents much more than just upgrades to a building, as it solidifies a belief in the future of UAB Basketball and the city of Birmingham. What makes Bartow special has always been the people, the energy, the pride, the history, and the passion of Blazer fans. This project allows us to honor that tradition while creating something that will impact future generations of student athletes and supporters. We are excited and grateful to be part of this historic day for UAB Athletics.”
“Bartow Arena is a special place,” says Freeburg. “The arena is our home where we train and compete. This project will have a lasting impact on the volleyball program for both the players and fans. The new court will not only look great, but it will also provide a better training surface to help our athletes stay healthy and compete at a high level. The new concourse and seating options will also elevate Bartow Arena to one of the best volleyball venues in the American Conference. We can’t wait to play here.”
“Modernizing this facility will continue elevating UAB and Birmingham,” Smith says. “Providing a first-class facility for our students and fan base was a team effort from the community and UAB, who believed in the importance of building upon the history and tradition surrounding Bartow Arena.”
Upon completion, Bartow Arena will also feature a new entrance lobby with approximately 7,400 square feet of new space to enhance the fan experience, allow ticketing activities to take place indoors, and update the overall exterior image. The 34,500-square-foot concourse will be updated with new lighting, paint, finishes, and graphics, as well as renovations to the restrooms with new fixtures and finishes. Stone Building was selected as the lead contractor for the renovation through the competitive process in accordance with Alabama law. Construction is expected to be completed in October and is anticipated to be fully functional for the 2026-27 basketball season.
Contributed by UAB Athletics