UNC leaders ponder future of basketball's Smith Center
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- There is a lot of buzz surrounding the Top 15 showdown in Chapel Hill this weekend as No. 14 UNC hosts No. 4 Duke on Saturday.
It's happening as University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill administrators talk about the future of the Dean E. Smith Center, which needs upgrades and repairs, including to the bathrooms, roof, concourse and steps to make it ADA compliant.
They're considering six options.
At the center of the conversation is whether to renovate the existing structure, rebuild at the same location, or move to a separate location called Carolina North, a new campus extension the school announced last month.
Supporters of a new arena argue that it would allow for more enhanced seating options and allow the school to host additional events.
UNC graduate and businessman Rusty Carter is part of the group supporting renovations, pointing to its history and accessibility.
"I will make a lead gift for renovating the Smith Center as it is for all the reasons above," Carter said. "I will not offer a dime or a dollar for the construction of the new arena. I think it's absolutely the wrong thing to do. I don't understand what's behind it. The forces behind it seem to be ignoring all the voices, the student voices, the alumni voices, the player voices, the coaching voices."
Carter has called for an independent consultant to review the cost of renovations and an additional analysis of the other options.
One online petition to support renovations and keep the arena where it is has more than 21,000 signatures so far.
Tar Heel legends Roy Williams and Tyler Hansbrough have also been featured in videos led by the campaign.
In his video, Williams recalled his time as an assistant to Smith and his mentor wanting the basketball arena to remain on campus.
"That was his wish, there's no question," Williams said, adding later: "And I hope that's where we stay forever."
ESPN contributed.
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