Providence, RI--A new main entrance and lobby, newly renovated food concession stations, and 20 new luxury suite boxes will be the featured improvements Providence College men's basketball fans will notice most when they visit the Dunkin' Donuts Center during the 2007-08 season.

Workers at the Dunkin' Donuts Center completed Phase 2 of the three-year, $80 million renovation of the facility in November. The facility had closed after PC's Commencement Exercises in May and reopened on November 14. The third and final phase of the upgrade is under way and expected to be completed in fall 2008.

Highlights of Phase 2 work are as follows:

• a new main entrance via a new lobby addition;
• four newly renovated concession areas, including two food courts where the concourse has been widened to enhance pedestrian traffic flow;
• 20 new luxury suites, which are scheduled to open on December 31;
• a 40 percent increase in restrooms, including two new family restrooms for families with young children; and
• a newly renovated and expanded PC men's basketball locker room, doubling the area of the previous space.

Other work accomplished during Phase 2 includes the installation of new fire-suppression and other life-safety systems; new heating, air-conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) systems; a new floor in the concourse area; a new exterior façade; and new signage.

In addition to the luxury suites, two other notable areas are scheduled to open during the winter. Both the renovated restaurant and the new pedestrian bridge, which will connect the Dunkin' Donuts Center with the adjacent Rhode Island Convention Center, are slated to open in January 2008.

The Dunkin' Donuts Center will close in June 2008 for intensive Phase 3 work. Renovations during this phase will include all new seats throughout the arena, construction of a new box office and a new press box, new elevators, a new press box, and upgrading the old lobby. 

The multi-year renovation is being overseen by the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority, which operates the Dunkin' Donuts Center, the R.I. Convention Center, and two adjacent parking garages.

Go to the  official site of the Dunkin' Donuts Center.

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