​The University of Utah has announced that the Jon M. Huntsman Center could undergo a major renovation. The school has selected Populous and VCBO Architecture to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study that will explore a range of modernization options for the arena. The study will assess structural integrity, seismic resiliency, and the infrastructure needed to support future generations of student-athletes, fans, and community events. As part of the process, Utah fans will be surveyed via email this week to gather input. Athletic director Mark Harlan expressed excitement about the collaborative process with campus partners, noting that the study will help determine the possibilities and opportunities a major renovation could deliver and that fan feedback will be essential in shaping the design and gameday experience. He also highlighted that Populous and VCBO are well positioned to lead this work.
In a February board of trustees meeting, Harlan presented options for the Huntsman Center, including a “renovation-plus” plan that could reduce capacity to about 9,000 seats from the current 15,000 while creating a state-of-the-art arena within the existing footprint. A renovated center could feature more premium seating and potentially generate higher per-event revenue. The slide deck from the meeting also noted the possibility of hosting non-Utah Athletics events at the venue, such as concerts, comedy shows, expos, and conventions.
The Huntsman Center is located at the heart of Utah’s “College Town Magic” concept, which aims to transform Utah from a commuter-focused university into a campus-centric institution with more on-campus housing. The university has significantly expanded housing in recent years, including constructing residential buildings to accommodate the growing student population.