By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Improvements are underway at the Civic Arena in downtown St. Joseph.
In fact, they got started by one of St. Joseph’s major firms. Hillyard refurbished the basketball court for the arena.
St. Joseph City Manager Bryan Carter says the new floor is the first step toward a renovated basketball facility.
“Of course, that was taken away, restored, and brought back, all by Hillyard,” Carter tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.
New basketball goals are on order.
The arena will soon get a new scoreboard.
“We’re all used to seeing the scoreboard that’s in there now, which was modern for its time 40 years ago, but doesn’t have the video capabilities that modern scoreboards have,” according to Carter.
Along with a new scoreboard will come new electronics for the scorer’s table. Other infrastructure improvements are being made.
Carter says the upgrades are needed before St. Joseph hosts the NCAA Division Two women’s tournament next year.
“We have the Division II women’s tournament coming in in 2023,” Carter says. “We’re a year out from that and it’s better preparing the facility for that tournament and hopefully many others like it in the future.”
The upgrades are being financed by a portion of the city parks tax increased approved by St. Joseph voters.