re: Update on SKC renovations

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Determining Smoothie King Center's new exterior color will be an extensive process

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Within the next few weeks, large-scaled painted sample colors that could be a variation of gray, taupe, brown or tan are expected to go up on the Smoothie King Center's exterior walls.

It's part of the extensive process involved in changing the current bluish-green exterior of the 14 1/2-year-old building to a new color.

Besides the color change, the Smoothie King Center is undergoing Phase II of a $54 million renovation project that began in April and will include a new front entrance and a new LED lighting system similar to the one used on the exterior of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Doug Thornton, SMG executive vice president of stadiums and arenas, said putting up sample colors will help them determine the best choice for the building.

''We want to pick a color that will be reflective of the LED lighting,'' Thornton said. ''The other guiding principle is that we want to have a color that’s neutral and not something that competes with the Superdome.

''We’re going to do some samples to see what it looks like in natural light and in lighting conditions. I don’t know the size but they are probably going to be large enough for us to make a determination.''

At Wednesday's Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District meeting at the Superdome, chairman Ron Forman said they plan to evaluate various color recommendations from architects involved in the renovation project, along with lighting experts responsible for installing the new LED lighting system for the building.

Then, there will be extensive collaboration between the LSED, New Orleans Pelicans and SMG officials to select the desired color for the building. The new color, along with the various exterior upgrades, are expected to be completed by October.

LSED board member Robert Bruno even suggested during Wednesday's meeting that they consult with a professional colorist based in New Orleans to help with the selection process.

''No matter what color we take, some people will love it and some people will want a different color,'' Forman said.

Pat Tobler, the LSED's construction manager, said they are seeking a lighter color but the exterior skin of the building is not going to change.

''It’s getting painted with an industrial-type coating that won’t lose any of its texture,'' Tobler said.

The Pelicans announced last week the Smoothie King Center will receive a long-awaited, updated color scheme on its exterior. The franchise said on its website, the current the color scheme is outdated, more reminiscent of a 1970s-era design.

In February, the Pelicans reached a naming rights deal with Smoothie King that led to name change from New Orleans Arena to the Smoothie King Center.

''Changing the exterior look of the building enables us to change the brand of the building from the old green (color) that represents the past to something new and different,'' Thornton said.

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