Champaign needs a new basketball arena

So, I took a much-needed 3-day weekend and headed down to Champaign for Saturday's game between the Fighting Illini and the Wisconsin Badgers.

I had a great time, and I enjoyed seeing the Illini beat the Badgers 64-57, behind 25 points and seven assists from sophomore guard Demetri McCamey.

It was the first time I've been to a Big Ten game at the Assembly Hall since I was a student at Illinois (it's been over 10 years), and it was the first time I've been at a game where the building was completely full.

And guess what? It's pretty clear we need a new basketball arena in Champaign.

The Assembly Hall is extremely cramped when full. On the lower level, it's hard to differentiate the concession lines from the restroom lines. Everything is in such close proximity that you can barely move.

And, of course, the lines are slow-moving because there are not enough bathrooms and not enough vendors. My friend wanted to use the ladies room at halftime, but upon seeing a line that stretched literally up the stairs and around the corner, she decided she could wait until later. And God forbid you want to buy something to eat or drink. You'll be standing there for 30 minutes and miss a good chunk of the game.

Of course, none of this is big news. The folks at UIUC know the Assembly Hall is no longer adequate. However, they are not going to build a new arena, instead choosing to renovate the 46-year-old existing structure.

Although I'd prefer to see them start from scratch, I understand the university's logic. The school is responsible for the upkeep of the Assembly Hall, and the building cannot be torn down because of its landmark status.

Thus, if a new arena is built, the university would be responsible for the upkeep of both the new place AND the Assembly Hall. Financially, that doesn't make a lot of sense.

Renovation plans are in place for the Assembly Hall, but they have been placed on hold due to the sagging economy.

UIUC did a pretty nice job on the renovations of Memorial Stadium. Hopefully, at some point the school can pull off something similar for the basketball team.