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Missouri State Bears fans got their first chance to tour the new JQH Arena on Saturday. KSMU's Greg Leuthen takes you inside the new, developing home of the Bears.
And with that, a tour group of twenty anxious alumni, season ticket holders, and students strap on hard hats and follow Brent Dunn, Missouri State's vice president for university advancement.
The group heads across East Monroe Street and down a gravel path surrounded by pillars of concrete and metal. The gravel will soon be covered with concrete, flooring tiles, and a Bear logo, creating the main concourse of the new JQH Arena. Dunn describes what the main concourse will feature when it's completed next October.
Dunn then leads the group down the south hallway, and talks about the improved accommodations of the new arena. He points out the steel skeletons of additional restrooms and concession stands, as well as several of the twenty four new luxury suites. Dunn leads the group into the lower bowl of JQH, letting everyone take in their first look at the arena from the inside.
The inside of the arena is far from complete.
Only 2 of the 11,000 seats are in place, and the floor of JQH is made of mud and dirt. But when it's time for the opening tip next November, Dunn says the stadium will boast a deluxe, four sided scoreboard with video screens and a hall of fame.
There will also be a unique display of the Bears' logo placed inside the arena's walls for fans to view at as they leave the game.
Missouri State University plans on having public tours of the JQH Arena every month until it opens with its first Bears' game on November 22nd.
