Memorial Coliseum Renovation

"At the end of the day, to be able to give our fans a really, really up-to-date spectacular facility… We made it really special and that’s sort of what we intended to do here."

Mitch Barnhart, University of Kentucky Athletics Director

Originally opened in 1950 as a tribute to Kentuckians who served in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, Memorial Coliseum has been fully modernized to serve as a state-of-the-art home for UK’s women’s basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, and STUNT teams.

This $82 million renovation is the largest investment in women’s sports in University of Kentucky history. The project enhances the fan experience and athlete facilities while preserving the historic character of this iconic campus landmark. Upgrades include new seating, air conditioning, improved lighting, a center-hung scoreboard, modern locker rooms, and updated support spaces. The building also houses a refreshed Center for Academic and Tutorial Services (CATS), reinforcing UK’s commitment to student-athlete success.

Client

University of Kentucky

In Association With

HNTB

Location

Lexington, Kentucky