EMPIRE OF THE SUNS
Suns unveil progress made on Talking Stick Resort Arena renovations
May 26, 2020, 9:27 PM | Updated: May 27, 2020, 3:10 pm
PHOENIX — With masks on and social distancing measures taken, the Phoenix Suns opened Talking Stick Resort Arena’s doors for a peek for the first time since renovations got underway in late April.
Media was given a brief walkthrough on Tuesday of the $230 million renovations that the organization currently plans to complete 60% of by the start of next season.
That included a walk from the pavilion, where the space will open up to a view of the bowl.
A look at the opening to the bowl from the pavillion pic.twitter.com/D56UOYClrr
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) May 26, 2020
Here’s a better look at what that space will look like at the beginning of this video.
Coming this fall. A new-look @TSRarena.
Join the transformation. #Project201https://t.co/hUkEYM1ukx pic.twitter.com/TCJkkrV4m2
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) January 15, 2020
“This is actually my second time in the building. I had a chance to see it a few months ago before they officially started construction and I can tell you it’s pretty impressive,” general manager James Jones said.
“What lies behind us is pretty spectacular.”
President and CEO Jason Rowley said the demolition phase is nearly done, with the infrastructure coming in next.
“If you’ve ever remodeled a house, it’s like a really big house [remodeling],” he said.
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Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Rowley said they haven’t hit any major roadblocks thus far and did not need to halt any renovations because of the virus.
“So far, it’s turning out to be exactly what we’re (hoping for),” he said. “Frankly, better. When I first walked in and saw all this stuff down, in my mind, I just said, ‘Wow, I think we’re gonna outkick our coverage here. This is pretty awesome.’”
As the above images show, all the seats are no more, and over 17,000 new cushioned seats will be put in.
About 450 new screens will be installed across the arena, including a new one in the center of the arena that is roughly six times bigger than its previous version.
Plenty more amenities, including what the Suns are calling the most extensive 5G arena in the country, are included in the renovations which you can learn more about here.
