Memorial Coliseum
Lexington, Kentucky

As one of the most architecturally significant buildings on the University of Kentucky Campus, Memorial Coliseum was home to the Kentucky Wildcats from its construction in 1948 until the completion of Rupp Arena in 1976. With the selection of the Coach Rick Pitino to rebuild the wildcat tradition, a renovation was in order to house the basketball and university athletics administration. The work effort required the demolition and reconstruction of new offices, weight training room, locker room, conference room and classrooms in an existing facility - all while remaining open to the university community on a daily basis. All construction materials had to be selected to be put in place without the benefit of heavy equipment. This is a fine example of a full scale model similar to building a ship in a bottle.


Owner: University of Kentucky Athletics
Total Area: 13,000 s. f.
Construction Cost: $911,000.00
General Contractor: Burchfield & Thomas