Photograph by Jodi Krautkramer
Money for the new bleachers at Bo Ryan Court came from Williams Fieldhouse renovation project funds.

Renovations to UW-Platteville’s Bo Ryan Court have brought new bleachers to the Williams Fieldhouse. This project is one of the first to be finished as part of the Fieldhouse renovation process.

Carried out during the summer, the renovation of the new bleachers is safer for everyone, Mark Molesworth, athletic director said. Gone is the creaking and eerie sway as fans cheer their teams.

The renovation process started with the replacement of the floor and the sound system and the updating of the backboard and score boards, Molesworth said. The bleachers were the final phase.

Funding for the upgrade was budgeted from within the entire Fieldhouse renovation project.

“We did lose some seats — about 100,” Molesworth said. “Aisles were made wider, and they were made handicap accessible.”

Although some seating has been reduced, the comfort of the seating is expected to make up for the difference.

“Everyone can enjoy these seats,” Paul Erickson, UW-P Sports Information director, said.

Erickson said the reserved seating section, the seats with backs, will be used during the volleyball and wrestling seasons. These seats are expected to create a more intimate setting between the fans and athletes, as this section comes closer to the court lines.

With fewer overall seats, a concern would come during the homecoming games or a potential turnout as seen from the UW-Whitewater basketball game last season, Molesworth said.

“We’ll deal with that situation if it comes. It’s the hope that it will become a situation,” Molesworth said.

Season ticket holders will have until Sept. 15 to reserve their new seat. Although the numbering will likely change for their seat, Erickson said the area of the seat will be preserved.

“People were constantly dropping popcorn and things through the bleachers, it was always a mess,” Erickson said. “That shouldn’t be the case now.”

The new bleachers will be unveiled at the first volleyball home game at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10.