Approved renovations to Hilton Coliseum will bring the building up to fire code and make it a safer place.

Several studies by professional consultants dating back to 2001 have identified fire safety issues and inadequate rest room facilities as high priorities. Some corrections to the Coliseum’s fire code were made in 2001, with the remainder of the upgrade to the fire alarm system to be completed with this project.

The Board of Regents approved planning for upgrades to Hilton Coliseum at its August meeting.

The exterior elevated walkways that extend Hilton Coliseum to other buildings in the complex have also been recognized as unsafe, particularly for small children if they are unsupervised, because guardrails do not meet current building codes. The project includes restructuring rails to provide greater protection and to comply with current codes.

The project is also expected to include increasing seating capacity and concession space and installing a new sound system.

The improvements will result in about 7,000 square feet of additional space.

According to the university memorandum, “Hilton Coliseum must be able to attract top quality cultural, educational, athletic and entertainment programs and activities. The functional and aesthetic amenities that event organizers, sponsors and guests expect from a venue of this kind are becoming increasingly difficult to provide unless improvements are made to increase the seating capacity and the comfort and appearance of the facility.”

The project will cost $6 million to $8 million and will be funded by revenues from operations, potential community and contract management support and bond proceeds through the refinancing of the existing debt, which owes $1.42 million as of June 30 on current building projects.

Operating and maintenance costs are not expected to increase because of the project.