Since the coronavirus pandemic began, concerts, conventions, and sporting events have been put on hold or canceled, leading to huge budget shortfalls for venues worldwide. One of those venues is one we all know very well, Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center.
Rupp and the adjacent convention center are currently in the middle of a $275 million expansion to add more exhibit hall space, premium club areas for alcohol sales at Kentucky Basketball games, a new lobby, and a new glass and metal exterior for Rupp. According to the Herald-Leader, the Central Bank Center has been forced to furlough over 100 full- and part-time employees because of the pandemic and is working to find a way to make debt payments on bonds that total $218 million; however, the work at Rupp continues.