Addition of 1,200 Pauley Seats Gains Preliminary Approval

UCLA has received preliminary approval of a plan to add about 1,200 club seats to Pauley Pavilion.

The school said Monday that the proposed upgraded seating area would provide prime views of the court as well as such amenities as television, special food facilities and instant game statistics.

The seats would be suspended from the rafters of Pauley, which currently seats 12,819 for basketball, said Mark Sanda, head of the sales team for the Pavilion Club. Views from existing seats would not be affected.

After an earlier mailing to UCLA boosters, nearly 40% of the seats have already been spoken for, Sanda said. Deposits are still being taken. The project will be submitted to the UC Board of Regents this summer for final approval if enough deposits are taken, the university said. Once approved, construction is expected to begin after the 1992-93 basketball season.

Each Pavilion Club seat is expected to cost from $1,000 to $2,300 per year, a price that includes season tickets to men’s basketball games. Members would have access to their seats for other major Pauley events such as concerts by purchasing a regular-price ticket to the event.

The Bruins drew an average of 11,063 to Pauley for 16 home games last season. The club seats, targeted for completion in time for the 1993-94 basketball season, would serve dual purposes, UCLA Athletic Director Peter Dalis said.

“It expands Pauley’s seating capacity and it provides an additional revenue source to operate the athletic department,” he said. “We are confident that these will be deemed some of the best seats in college basketball.”