University of Memphis Athletics
Elma Roane Fieldhouse Sports New Look in Phase I Completion
Aug 12, 2021 | General, Women's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Elma Roane Fieldhouse, the home of the Tiger women’s basketball team, has completed the first phase of a new two-phase process in the current $3.5 million renovation project.
In the most recent stage of advances, Elma Roane Fieldhouse has seen the removal of existing seating on both the home and visitor sides to modify concrete risers to provide greater row to row spacing as well as new stadium chairback seating, ADA lifts and platforms for elevated accessible seating on the visitor’s side, courtside glass handrails for enhanced viewing of play, a flat, elevated press area with new electrical service and new enclosed storage rooms for equipment.
“We are excited about the new additions to Elma Roane Fieldhouse,” said Memphis Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Laird Veatch. “We are committed to helping grow our women’s basketball program into one of the strongest in the country, and these improvements will make a major impact for the team as well as the fan experience.”
Progress has also been made outside of the gymnasium; air conditioning and heating has been updated in the lobby and concourse restrooms as well new counters and overhead rolling doors to the concession stands.
“We are thrilled about the commitment to create an experience that is enjoyable for our student-athletes and fans,” said head women’s basketball coach Katrina Merriweather. “We want an atmosphere that makes The Fieldhouse one of the toughest places to play in the country, and we believe that these renovations are moving us in the right direction.”
In addition to major structural enhancements, several aesthetic changes have been made throughout the Fieldhouse, including:
- repainting all walls, risers, flooring, and structure
- replacing all ceiling tiles
- replacing all flooring, windows, and paint in the lobby area
- installing a new media/camera stage above seating on visitor’s side
- new lighting in the gym consistent with requirements for national television broadcasts
- renovate all restrooms
Enhancements will continue throughout the summer and into 2022, where the gym floor will be repainted to reflect the newly implemented Memphis Athletics logo while a new video and scoreboard are in the works. The renovations were designed by local firm Fleming Architects.
With the new seating installed in Elma Roane Fieldhouse, season ticket sales and renewals for the 2021-22 season have opened. To get your tickets to all the Tigers’ home games, click here.
A meet and greet with the coaching staff as well as a chance to see the new renovations in person is set to take place before the start of season this October. Check back to GoTigersGo.com for more information.
An intimidating arena for opponents of the University of Memphis, Elma Roane Fieldhouse, built in 1950, was named after former women’s athletic director Elma Neal Roane. A pioneer for women’s athletics at Memphis and in the Mid-South, Roane attended games until her passing in 2011.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Women’s Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.