Editor’s Note: The Dunkin’ Donuts Center, affectionately known as “the Dunk,” held its grand reopening Sept. 5-7 in Providence, R.I. Ellerbe Becket, which originally designed the building in the early 1970s, also led the venue’s three-year, $80 million redesign. The following article by Diane M. Sterrett appeared in a special supplement to the Rhode Island Monthly magazine.
Rhode Islanders coming to the newly renovated Dunk for the first time are in for a big surprise because absolutely nothing is the same. Every single surface has been touched by the three-year, $80 million renovation, and it’s ready for its debut.
“To be a first class city, you have to have a major performing arts center, and we had fallen behind,” says Jim McCarvill, Executive Director of the RI Convention Center Authority. “The Dunk now has improved functionality for our teams, for presenters, and for the ticket-buying public. It’s easier to operate and manage, easier to present in, and easier for those making decision where to play to choose us.”
“One of the goals of the renovation was to provide users with a compelling facility that will enhance the events, the patron experience and quality of life in the city,” said Ellerbe Becket Principal and Project Manager Steve Duethman.
When visiting, the first thing you notice is the building’s exterior, which now sports a bright new façade of steel and glass, McCarvill’s favorite part of the renovation. “Before it looked dark and unwelcoming, now it’s open and seamless, and the concrete bunker look is gone.”
The larger, air conditioned lobby better accommodates crowds waiting to enter the arena in climate controlled comfort instead of waiting in the heat or cold. The higher 20’ ceilings give an open and airy feel. “Now you really feel like you’ve arrived,” McCarvill says. The spatial characteristics are more in keeping with the 21st Century facilities.
Both sides of the building were bumped out to create a more spacious concourse for better traffic flow and to accommodate 20 luxury suites above. Previously, all the concessions were located in the inner concourse. Now all the concessions have been moved to the outside walls, and all the old concessions have been converted to new restrooms. There are now 40 percent more restrooms than before, a fact patrons will surely appreciate. The concessions are organized into two food courts and food is prepared on-site instead of relying on the commissary, so it will be fresher with better choices. The food courts now feature large flat screen TVs so you don’t’ have to miss any of the action while getting a snack. In fact, there are close to 50 new screens around the arena.
Concourses and main lobby areas are designed for large sponsorships to enhance arena revenue. Entrances are now ADA-accessible. The box office has been relocated to allow for more efficient queuing of patrons and less conflict with cross traffic entering the concourses.
“It’s all about convenience,” says Larry Lepore, General Manager. “If you provide a good product at a good price in a clean building, people will come.”
One major convenience is the new pedestrian bridge connection to the Convention Center. It shields patrons from the weather and makes the entire complex more inviting to larger events sharing the two venues. For example, one major upcoming event is the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Regional Championships in 2010, the first time since 1996. Additional locker rooms meet criteria for NCAA Men’s D-1 Tournaments.
As you walk into the arena itself, you’ll also see new, slightly larger seats with cup holders, the number one request from event attendees. “We replaced every single seat and reconfigured the lower bowl with new telescopic retractables for better sightlines,” McCarvill says. “We added ADA accessibility and luxury suites, both of which usually make you lose space, but with the expansion our seating capacity remains the same at 13,000.”
The luxury suites each have 12 fixed seats with a drink rail and four bar stools. The suites have their own dedicated level and lobby.
Upstairs is the new restaurant, One LaSalle, which seats 180 people and boasts a new menu. Here you can dine and enjoy an open view to the arena.
From the cushier seats to more restrooms, patrons will appreciate many of the renovations right away. But others are not readily visible to guests. That includes aisle lighting from the catwalks 60 feet overhead that don’t disturb the show, new HVAC and electrical systems, new security cameras, and renovated locker rooms.
One of the most impressive improvements Lepore hopes you’ll never need, and that is the most advanced fire protection system in the country. “No other arena is using a system like ours, and they’re looking to us as an example. It includes fire suppression sprinklers throughout the arena, and a smoke-evacuation system that pulls the smoke out and brings cold air in, giving patrons more time to evacuate.”
On the event level, the Providence College Friars and Providence Bruins locker rooms have been completely renovated and expanded, with separate training areas, a team recruitment draw. Visiting teams also now have their own locker rooms with a separate coaches room. Star dressing rooms have been upgraded, so has the press room with an array of dedicated high-speed Internet connections and working space.
“The main thing is we can now treat all our customers better – patrons, tenants, vendors, advertisers, and employees,” McCarvill says.
The biggest upgrade is theater-style seats. Each suite is beautifully appointed and tastefully decorated with contemporary furniture and colors, and includes wireless Internet, a wet bar, lounge area with plasma television simulcasting the event, personal concierge and wait staff plus a full array of premium food and beverage options. The suite level has its own kitchen to ensure the food arrives hot and the beverages cold. As part of the package, suite holders get 15 tickets to every event, including Friars and Bruins games. “The suites are great for business entertainment investments for a variety of reasons,” says Cheryl Schadone, Director of marketing. “Many use them to entertain clients, or as employee rewards. Some use them as fundraising opportunities for non-profits.”
Renovations included creating two open party suites on the suite level, available for rent during events. Each can fit 20 people, or they can be combined for up to 40. Price varies from event to event, and accommodations are the same as the luxury suites. “This is a brand new opportunity, the old Dunk didn’t have party suites,” says Schadone. “Imagine being able to have your child’s birthday party here while the circus is going on!”
Even if you don’t have a suite, there are opportunities to have “out of the ordinary” gatherings before or during events and games. Two completely renovated meeting rooms are great for corporate and social pre-event gatherings or parties during events. Two more private loges with leather seating and drink service are ideal for group events, private pre-game meetings or buffets, birthday parties and thank-you events. They are located adjacent to a banquet area and the restaurant. One LaSalle, the arena’s new restaurant, is open during most events. Patrons can dine while watching the action below.
Contact: news@ellerbebecket.com
