Greenville, S.C. – The Furman University and Greenville communities will gather to celebrate a landmark moment for sports and entertainment in the Upstate of South Carolina on Monday, August 25, with the unveiling of the newly renovated Timmons Arena. 
 
Festivities begin at 4 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which will include remarks from Furman President Elizabeth Davis, Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Jason Donnelly, and others. Following the ribbon-cutting, everyone in attendance will be invited to an "open house" tour of the facility and get their first look at one of the region's premier arenas, entertainment venues, and event spaces. Paladin basketball coaches Bob Richey and Pierre Curtis will be on hand as well inside the arena. Furman University students, faculty, staff, fans, donors, season ticket holders, and the entire upstate community are encouraged to attend free of charge. 
 
"The renovation of Timmons Arena marks an exciting new chapter for Furman University," said Donnelly. "As the signature capital project of the Clearly Furman campaign, this reimagined facility will not only be the new home for Paladin Basketball but also a central gathering place for our entire university community. This transformation is more than just a facility upgrade—it's a bold investment in the future of Furman athletics and campus life. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, this new state-of-the-art arena will stand as a source of pride and a vibrant hub for student engagement, alumni connections, external events, and partnerships with the greater Greenville community for years to come."
 
Built in 1997, Timmons Arena has undergone a $40 million, donor-funded renovation project led by Ken Betsch & Associates as well as Harper General Contractors. Businessman and philanthropist Ravenel B. Curry III, a 1963 Furman graduate, provided the lead gift of $10 million to spearhead the project that has also been generously supported by the Timmons and Pelham families in honor of their family's original commitment to the arena in 1997. Furman has partnered with Taymar and Legends to provide a first-class ticketing and game day experience as well as Bon Appetit and Athlete Advantage for innovative and unique hospitality, catering and external engagement opportunities.
 
"We are deeply grateful for the hard work and dedication of our many partners—on and off campus—who helped bring this vision to life," Donnelly said. "Their efforts have been tremendous, and we look forward to celebrating their contributions."
 
Fans will be greeted with a new glass façade entrance on the front of the building leading to the Furman Ticket Office. Entering the building, Paladin faithful will be immersed in Furman athletics history in the Hall of Honor that features a replica basketball court, championship banners, and interactive displays developed by Dimensional Innovations that detail the history of the Paladins and the Furman Athletic Hall of Fame.
 
The existing arena structure, stripped down to bare bones, has been reimagined and redesigned with a new seating bowl, created with partner Irwin Seating, including the Foster Courtside Seating Section, Spinx Student Section, club seats, and premium seating closer to the floor. A 360-degree concourse above the bowl features new concession areas, along with grab-and-go concession options. 
 
Behind the Spinx Student Section on the south end is a "student zone" to host student programming and events on game days. Timmons' north side includes one of the most innovative and unique areas inside any college basketball venue as Kraemer Design & Production has teamed with The Children's Museum of the Upstate to create the "Furman Family Zone". 
 
A pair of new ribbon boards will provide first-class fan engagement and corporate partnership opportunities, while the Newsom Family Suite Level will provide eight private suites and two party suites for an entirely new way to experience Furman basketball and Timmons Arena. Two premium club spaces, the Ingram Courtside Club and the Herring VIP Suite, give Timmons new opportunities for game day gatherings and special events. The renovation is also highlighted by the addition of the Rogues Hospitality Deck, the perfect location to gather with friends and fellow fans to enjoy a beverage and entertains guests. Timmons Arena also features a new sound system in the arena, designed by Avant Acoustics, that will add to the fan experience. 
 
The new seating bowl and premium hospitality areas will allow Timmons Arena not only to host high-level college athletics, but to become a first-class destination for concerts, weddings, graduations, and various other community events.
 
The $40 million project also includes new coaches offices, team locker rooms, and film rooms for both the men's and women's basketball programs. New visiting team locker rooms, bathrooms, staff offices, a media room, fully equipped catering kitchen, operations space, and storage throughout the building has also been added as part of the investment in Furman and Paladin athletics. 
 
"While some work remains before we tip off our first game on October 26, we're excited to open the doors of Timmons Arena as we celebrate the beginning of a new academic year at Furman," said Donnelly.
 
The Furman men's basketball team will open the newly renovated Timmons Arena on Sunday, October 26, when it hosts the Alabama Crimson Tide in exhibition action while the Furman women's team is primed to host ACC foe Clemson in the facility on November 23. Season tickets are available online today by clicking HERE. Single game tickets will go on sale to the public in the future.
 
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