Photo Galleries: Echols Hall | Construction

NORFOLK, Va. – Renovations were recently completed at Joseph Echols Hall, Norfolk State's on-campus basketball facility, for the upper levels of seating in the 31-year-old arena. All of the old wooden bleachers were replaced with new green and gold chair-back seating.

The $750,000 project began in mid-May by Certified Installation in Maine with the removal of the original bleachers that had been in place since Echols Hall opened its doors in November of 1982. After getting a new fresh coat of paint on the walls, work began in late June on the framework for the new seating.

The project was finished at the end of July with the final seat installations. The north and south ends of the upper-level seating – the areas behind the basketball hoops – contain green-colored seats, while the east and west sides comprise gold-colored seats with the word "Spartans" spelled out in green seats in the middle of both sides.

In addition, the doors at all five fan entrances were replaced. Last season, all of the ceiling lights in Echols Hall were replaced with new and brighter fluorescent lights.

Following the completion of the seat renovations, work began in mid-August on the basketball floor, which was re-sanded and repainted to match the official Norfolk State gold. That project finished at the end of last week.

Phase two of Echols Hall renovations will take place in the summer of 2014 as well. Plans are in place to replace and rewire the entire wooden basketball court. Work will also begin then on the installation of an elevator in the southeast corner of the gym to allow for handicap access to upper-level areas, including the concession stands.