Wisconsin reveals renderings of how new premium seating at the Kohl Center will look this fall

MADISON – Work is underway to reduce the size of the ice sheet at the Kohl Center, a change that will allow the Wisconsin athletic department to create more premium seating in the 26-year-old arena.

The sheet will go to the NHL dimensions of 200 feet by 85 feet. The ice was 97 feet wide. Previously UW was one of five NCAA Division I arenas with a rink size larger than 200-by-92.

The reduction creates 6 feet of additional space on each side of the ice.

Tuesday we found out how that space will be renovated.

UW released renderings of its plans. They show a mix of wider, padded seating and bar-style seats with counter space in the newly available spaces.

The changes necessitate the removal of 388 single seats and will force some fans to relocate or upgrade to the new seats. There will be 188 premium seats added for basketball and 134 premium seats added for hockey.

In the bowels of the arena, the Krantz Club, a premium club space located on ice/court level, is being created and scheduled to open in January.

The construction is the latest for the Kohl Center. Recent work has included new locker rooms, strength and conditioning spaces, coaches offices and academic support facilities.

“The Kohl Center is one of the top venues in college athletics and we are adding to its legacy with the recent renovations in the building, including new premium seating options that will provide high-level services and amenities,” UW director of athletics Chris McIntosh said in a news release. “These upgrades will help to create an exciting, new fan experience and drive additional revenue that will support Badger student-athletes across our 23 sport programs.”