McArthur Court has served as the home for the University of Oregon's basketball programs since 1926. It will be sad for all Duck fans to see this be the final full season there. The venue has more character than many people I know. It will soon fit in a bit more with the old cemetery it sits next to. The rest of the Pac10 conference will surely be happy to see the Ducks move since the noisy old wood and steel venue was known as one of the toughest for visiting opponents.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2361/2315509179_4eef8b5148.jpg

The new arena is targeting opening for the start of the 2011 Pacific 10 basketball season, which begins at the end of December of this year. The arena will be named after the son of the project's largest donor Phil Knight who died in a scuba diving accident.

This transition reminds me a bit of the Boston Celtics move in the 1990's. Mac Court has a lot in common with the Boston Garden, except is much smaller and has never hosted a hockey game. The new arena will be quite over the top with all the technological offerings and conveniences of an arena built in 2010. And it better, with a price tag of $200,000. I read it is the costliest on campus basketball arena ever built.

Check out http://mactomatt.net/ for more info.

Here are some images from the seat viewer.
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/01.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/02.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/03.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/04.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/05.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/06.jpg
http://www.oregonquarterly.com/spring2009/images/photo_upfront_alumctr.jpg
http://www.oregonquarterly.com/spring2009/images/photo_upfront_arena.jpg
The arena lies on the east side of the university. The arena is being built between dormitories and a busy road that runs along the north side of campus. This road (Franklin Blvd) used to be known as highway 99. It was the method of travel between San Francisco and Portland before interstate 5 was built. The area north and east of campus reflects a typical pre-interstate stretch of old motels and diners. In my opinion the new arena will be a nice addition to a very tired area of town that could use some redevelopment. Many have called the new arena a gateway to the university from the east. The university really has no clear entrance on the east side so it should look nice.

Hard to replace the atmosphere at Mac Court, but I'd say this will be the cream of the crop as far as the Pac 10 goes, and up there for all of college hoops. Standing room student section courtside, real steep, no suites or club seats. I kind of wish they has kept the 3 tier layout of McArthur Court, but still pretty fantastic.

I think this is the first time that ive seen the plans for the new place, and im actually not as sad as i thought i would be. My mother west to Oregon State and ive seen two games at McArthur Court to see OSU play. They were fantastic. When I heard that they were replacing it, I immediately though of all the schools that have killed their basketball atmospheres with big new arenas.

Im happy to see that this new place will be just as intimidating as the old place. While it may not have "character" yet, it should quickly become regarded as one o the tougher places to play basketball in the country. Those seats are STEEP. And with more people at teh games it should be one hell of an atmosphere.

Also happy to see the Comcast Center style design.

Here are some pictures taken this afternoon. With the exception of where I took the first pic, you can't see inside anymore. For such a large arena the architects appear to have done a great job at keeping the place intimate. It amazes me that the word intimate can be used considering the vast amount of space the building takes up.

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG2451.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG2465.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG2458.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG2460.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG2462.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG2455.jpg

Here is the other part of the project, a student athletic center. It lies across the street from the arena and was just opened. Here's a link to an article about the center as well as a few pics I took.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindducksbeat/2010/01/new_oregon_academic_center_bac.html

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG2468.jpg

The new arena in the background.
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG2471.jpg
Along with the arena this is a nice welcome to this side of campus. The dungeon like dormitories and a bland brick administration building were the former welcome. Whether you are for or against out of control athletic spending, you must admit these new buildings will be more interesting than dungeon-like dorms.

The following pic is what you see when you get off the "EmX," the rapid bus transit between downtown Eugene and downtown Springfield. I must add the ability to commute to and from games will be extremely easy with the rapid transit already running along the site of the arena. There is almost no parking at the old arena. So the fact that there will be more parking plus some public transit options will be nice.
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG2470.jpg

very nice..

3 months later...

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG3028.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG3029.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG3030.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG3033.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG3034.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG3036.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG3037.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG3043.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG3044.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG3047.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG3050.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG3052.jpg

does the new arena have luxury boxes? I'm not seeing how that will cost $200 million, similar college arenas built recently have cost around $75 million

does the new arena have luxury boxes? I'm not seeing how that will cost $200 million, similar college arenas built recently have cost around $75 million

Apperently it will not have any suites, howver those are often used as a funding source for the arena and here Phil Knight has paid for half of it up front.

As for the price tag it is physically quite large for a 12,000 seater, with more space in fan and club areas than most; and more to the point the level of finish should be off the charts. Think why was the Staples Center was more than twice the cost of the Conseco Fieldhouse despite similar capacities and opening the same year.

does the new arena have luxury boxes? I'm not seeing how that will cost $200 million, similar college arenas built recently have cost around $75 million

That's a great question I wanted to know myself. I sent the athletic department an email and got this response:

"The project budget of $200 million includes about 20% soft costs, which leaves about $160 million in hard costs. Obviously our building is the newest, and with inflation, etc... you can expect cost to be more than other buildings that aren't as new. Material costs have also gone up significantly in the past few years, plus it's more expensive to build in Oregon than some other places where building costs are cheaper. Additional costs were incurred due to the arena site itself and water table issues that had to be investigated.

As for amenities in the building, we will have a state of the art 4 sided videoboard that will rival any in the US (pro or college), all seats will come with chairbacks and cup holders (lower level seats are padded with 4-5" cushions), and there are two full size practice courts in the building, giving our teams a place to practice when outside concerts and shows are going on. Also, we invested in lapendary panels which will absorb sound to allow for better sound quality for all events, and there will be 8 elevators in the building, helping to speed customers to all levels of seating."

And in response to what Benn said. Yes the structure is huge and the actual space for seating doesn't seem large at all. I think the fans will be surprised at how intimate it will be.

Personally, I can't wait to see a big game in there. Evidently the Pit Crew (student section along the side of court) as well as the seats behind the baskets will be closer than they were at Mac Court. And the massive student section that steeply runs from behind the west basket to the ceiling should help bring that intimidating effect the old building had. That may be my favorite structural improvement.

And in response to what Benn said. Yes the structure is huge and the actual space for seating doesn't seem large at all. I think the fans will be surprised at how intimate it will be.

Personally, I can't wait to see a big game in there. Evidently the Pit Crew (student section along the side of court) as well as the seats behind the baskets will be closer than they were at Mac Court. And the massive student section that steeply runs from behind the west basket to the ceiling should help bring that intimidating effect the old building had. That may be my favorite structural improvement.

Trust me. I know how this style of arena can be incredibly intimidating. When they replaced Cole Field House with Comcast Center at Maryland it created the same effect. The wall of seats behind the basket is incredible.

FYI, there is already a thread that I created last year for this, so this thread is a duplicate.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=853996&highlight=matthew+knight+arena

Relax!! It might be a duplicate, but I don't see another in the "Stadiums and Sports Arenas" section.


Since you won't be seeing the basketball team on television anytime soon, here's the final product. Looks like the finishing touches are being put on the interior.

Addicted to Quack's walkthrough tour:
http://www.addictedtoquack.com/2011/1/6/1917614/behind-the-scenes-matthew-knight-arena-photo-tour

Another photo tour from the Register Guard newspaper.
http://www2.registerguard.com/mm/index.php/slideshows/comments/matt-court-in-detail/

has NBA chosen a standard type arean recommandation for all american basketball venues? Because the interior is the same everywhere in USA and now the world :D

has NBA chosen a standard type arean recommandation for all american basketball venues? Because the interior is the same everywhere in USA and now the world :D
This is not an NBA venue.

has NBA chosen a standard type arean recommandation for all american basketball venues? Because the interior is the same everywhere in USA and now the world :D

Arenas in the US have lots of different interiors. Can't think of another that looks like this.

the disposal is the same look closer: sceens at the centre above ground, vip lodges in the same way for stands etc...

has NBA chosen a standard type arean recommandation for all american basketball venues? Because the interior is the same everywhere in USA and now the world :D

No. Rather people who design facilities know that there is a greater revenue potential in having luxury seating closer to the action since there is a premium on that experience. It is supply vs. demand as opposed to a meritocracy since "loyal" fans do not necessarily deserve to have the best seats.

it's not the point! i know vip places is a necessary. i talk about the disgn, don't see big difference when you see united, staples 02 arena...

In my opinion you can only do so much with an enclosed arena of less than 20,000. Some exceptions I like are Jobing.com arena in Arizona and Toyota Center in Houston. But even that style gets redundant. I think with arenas it's a bit harder to come up with anything that's never been done because of that lack of space.

Atlanta's Philips arena also comes to mind when it comes to trying something different. (All suites on one side)
http://hockey.ballparks.com/NHL/AtlantaThrashers/suites.jpg


Back to Matt Court. The building doesn't have any luxury suites. I think the aim here was to replicate some of the things that made the old building great, such as a steep and intimate bowl. Then add the things that the old building lacked, such as comfort, ability to see from every seat, modern amenities, and ability to host more events such as NCAA tournament games and larger concerts. What I like most is how it fits in to one of the modern academic buildings on campus. If you dropped anyone who has spent time on campus to this spot, they might assume they're at the Lillis Business complex.
http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/518362/061.JPG

the disposal is the same look closer: sceens at the centre above ground, vip lodges in the same way for stands etc...
This arena has no VIP boxes.

Any pictures of the finished bowl?

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5165/5300305171_ee5a5ddf4c_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5006/5300915318_89596791bc_b.jpg

what i love is the level of comfort of those arenas :)

I am digging the way they kept the Pit Crew sideline, and the really steep bowl. Looks maybe a little too high comfort to keep up the the atmosphere of the Mac, but its the closest thing to the ideal arena for the common fan recently. Would like to have seen those white walls painted dark gray, or really deep green, but thats getting pretty nitpicky.

it's not the point! i know vip places is a necessary. i talk about the disgn, don't see big difference when you see united, staples 02 arena...

I don't want to get too off subject, but its easy to disprove this.

Staples Center and

http://dudewheresmyschnitzel.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/staples-center.JPG

United Center

http://www.illinoisloyalty.com/i/20051203-illini-xavier-united-center-09.jpg

3 tiers =/= 2 tiers
3 rings of suites =/= 2 rings

This doesn't look anything like either
http://blog.livedesignonline.com/briefingroom/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/aac-stadium-lighthouse.jpg

neither does this
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/163/434293155_289e478ee3_b.jpg

neither does this
http://indianapolis-indiana.funcityfinder.com/files/2010/04/Inside-the-Conseco-Fieldhouse-in-Indianapolis-Indiana.jpg

The NBA and college to an even bigger extent have a wide variety of arenas.

This thread should be moved to the completed section as the Ducks beat the Trojans 68 to 62 yesterday in the arena's opening game. :)

This is how the court looked during the game
http:///cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/633515/2011-january-13-23-35-26.jpeg

I love the court's design and creativity but somehow they have to get rid of that glare.

It could also use a center line thats you know, visible. Kind of hard to get the over and back calls when mid court is a matter of opinion.

It looks top notch! Very close and intimate for a large college crowd. Its actually feels similar to the Conseco Fieldhouse (but smaller) with the steepness an the dark green color scheme.. As an ex hoosier myself, I have to love it when Conseco gets consistently voted the best NBA venue...oh and often Lucas Oil does for football too...
Anyway nice project!!!

This place has been finished for a few months now. Is there a moderator in the house?