University of Houston shoots, scores arena $60M redo

​​HOUSTON - ​The University of Houston approved the start of a renovation of their basketball arena, Hofheinz Pavilion, and announced an anonymous $20 million donation that will go towards the $60 million project.

The renovation’s plan reduces the numbers of seats to 7,420 from 8,479 with the inside of the arena changing to resemble newer arenas that have the seats closer to the court.

The plan also calls for the addition of more than 2,000 premium seats, broken down into club seats, loge boxes and a pair of suites, as well as 90 court-side seats.

The renovation is expected to begin at the conclusion of the 2016-2017 basketball season according to Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Hunter Yurachek.

Yurachek said the anonymous donor has re-naming rights over the facility.

"We’re not sure how that name is going to unfold, but it will no longer be called Hofheinz Pavilion, so we are referring to this project as our Basketball Arena Renovation Project."

Yurachek said the renovation to the arena would couple well with the new Guy V. Lewis Basketball Center.

Yurachek added that the renovation is a game changer, not only for the basketball programs but for the entire University of Houston and its fans.