MTSU’s Murphy Center is undergoing significant renovations this semester, including updated concessions and restrooms, a new HVAC system, new arena lighting and a new roof, as part of the university’s Facilities Master Plan.

Work got underway Jan. 6 and is expected to be completed before the 2014-15 basketball season begins this fall to help minimize disruptions for visitors and fans along with the students, faculty and staff who use the building every day.

Fans fill Hale Arena inside MTSU’s Murphy Center to watch Blue Raider basketball in November. A renovation project at the 41-year-old, 10,000-seat facility is underway now. (MTSU photo by Bradley Lambert)

The project at Murphy Center, which opened in December 1972, is being done in four phases by tackling each of the 10,000-seat building’s corners at a time.

The first phase involves the southwest corner of Murphy Center, which is closest to Middle Tennessee Boulevard and MTSU’s Alumni Memorial Gym.

University officials said that a temporary wall on each construction area will help contain dust and dirt as well as keep occupants and visitors safe. The wall will block all foot traffic along the track level of that corner of the building.

During the first phase of construction, the barrier will be located behind sections F and K. Fans with seats in sections F, G, H, J and K will not be able to reach their seats from the track level.

Instead, MTSU officials are recommending that fans enter the seating area through the aisles between section E and F or section K and L. They also can reach their seats by entering Murphy Center from the bottom floor and walking up the stairs to their seats.

The second phase of construction will involve the northwest corner, close to Middle Tennessee Boulevard and the Greenland Drive tennis courts, beginning Tuesday, Feb. 24. The safety wall for that phase will be located behind sections K and O, and seating areas K, L, M, N and O will be affected.

So far, the construction project at Murphy Center is not expected to affect the university’s spring 2014 commencement ceremonies, set for Saturday, May, 10, or summer 2014 commencement on Saturday, Aug. 9.

In addition to MTSU’s Athletic Department and the Murphy Center Complex, Murphy Center also houses offices and classrooms for the Department of Health and Human Performance

Any fan with questions may contact the MTSU Athletic Department at 615-898-2452.

— MTSU Athletics (GoBlueRaiders.com)