Pauley Pavilion may get renovated
Cultural and Recreation Affairs to decide whether work is merited
Change is in the air for Pauley Pavilion, UCLA sources announced recently.
The arena, completed in 1965, has had no major structural changes since its construction. The university has retained local architectural firm Turner Meis to review the building’s current capacity for home basketball and volleyball games as well as gymnastics competition, intramural sports use and nonathletic activities such as commencement and special events.
Turner Meis will have approximately three months to interview athletic personnel and members of Cultural and Recreation Affairs as well as make an assessment of the greatest needs for building improvements.
“That’ll be a broad brush work and the firm’s recommendations for what they believe to be deficient,” said Ken Weiner, associate athletic director of business operations. “This is not a new process.”
This is the third time in the history of the building that UCLA has looked into making major modifications to Pauley Pavilion. Factors such as feasibility and lack of funding brought a halt to the changes proposed in years past.
“(Vice Chancellor Peter) Blackman has taken a look at the facility today in the context of the changes recently made within the Athletics Department, including the hiring of basketball coach Ben Howland,” Weiner said.
The major issues Weiner noted that would be looked at and possibly altered include patron access and circulation, the locker room and associated facilities, storage and appropriate spatial issues for hosting NCAA events, and issues with seating around the Nell and John Wooden Court on game days.
Any changes would have to be approved by UCLA Cultural and Recreational Affairs, the department that owns the building.
If plans are approved at the end of summer or early fall, the next step would be to find funding from outside sources to begin the project.

