Big Decision: Future of the Dean E. Smith Center To Replace or Renovate

The Dean E. Smith Center, home to the University of North Carolina’s men’s and women’s basketball teams, is one of the most beloved and iconic venues in college basketball. Why? Largely because of the namesake it represents, and its on-campus engagement attraction. Opened in 1986, the arena seats 21,750 fans, making it the fourth-largest basketball venue in the country, behind Louisville’s KFC Yum! Center, Kentucky’s Rupp Arena, and Syracuse’s JMA Wireless Dome. For nearly four decades, the Smith Center has been the heart of UNC basketball, but as the university looks ahead, the question arises: what is the future of the Smith Center?

Historical Context and Upgrades

The Smith Center has long been a fixture of Tar Heel pride. Built in 1986, it was designed to provide a state-of-the-art home for UNC basketball. However, as with all facilities, time takes its toll. In 2013, UNC began to consider renovating or replacing the Smith Center in response to both aging infrastructure and the desire to enhance the fan experience. These plans were briefly put on hold, but the university continued to explore how best to meet the evolving needs of the basketball program and the growing fanbase.

In 2016, a $4.2-million upgrade was implemented, focusing on enhancing the locker room and players’ lounge. While this project helped improve some of the internal aspects of the facility, larger-scale renovation plans continued to be a topic of discussion. The idea of adding premium club seating options was floated as part of a potential renovation, which would involve removing a section of upper-level seats to make room for more exclusive experiences. However, the prospect of such major changes was still in the early stages, and more recent conversations are focused on the future of the Smith Center as a whole.

Recent Developments: A Survey for Fans

In June, UNC distributed an online survey to its fanbase, seeking input on the future of the Smith Center. The survey’s goal was to gather opinions on what fans would prioritize for the next iteration of the venue, be it through renovation or replacement. The university is considering several potential options for the future of its basketball home, and these options range from extensive renovations to entirely new, off-campus locations.

The Six Possibilities for the Future of the Smith Center

The university’s report outlined six distinct possibilities for the future of the Smith Center, including both on-campus and off-campus locations. Here’s a breakdown of the options:

1. Carolina North (Off-Campus)

One of the off-campus locations under consideration, which seems to be emerging as to top off-site option, is Carolina North, a 250-acre research and academic property near the former Horace Williams Airport off Estes Drive, about 5 miles from the current Smith Center. This location would require further infrastructure studies to assess the costs and scheduling for such a large-scale project. While an arena at this location would provide more space, it would also create significant logistical challenges given the distance from campus.

The university has said, as a public research university helping to transform the state’s economy, Carolina must compete with national peers for the talent and resources that drive innovation. Today, that competition demands a new kind of setting—one that enables public-private partnerships, public engagement and flexible new spaces for research and education. Carolina North will be a world-class magnet to attract the best and brightest to North Carolina, one that will create tremendous economic benefit for the state. This campus will promote a synergy among research, business, science, law and technology that will in turn produce new ideas, products and jobs. This research-driven entrepreneurship will take place in a highly green environment, one specifically designed to be a model of sustainability and to take advantage of the latest technological developments.

2. Bowles Parking Lot (On-Campus)

Located within walking distance of the Smith Center, the Bowles Parking Lot is another possible site for a new arena. This location would require the replacement of 620 parking spaces and modifications to sewer and water lines to accommodate a new arena. While it would keep the venue close to the heart of campus, this option presents its own set of challenges, particularly in terms of the necessary infrastructure changes.

3. Friday Center (Off-Campus)

The Friday Center, which is a popular parking location for fans attending games at the Smith Center, is located about three miles from the current arena. This site would require structured parking to accommodate an arena and the relocation of existing uses on the site. If the university were to pursue this location, they would need to provide bus transit for up to 3,000 on-campus students for each game. This off-campus site would again require significant investment in transportation and infrastructure, but it might offer a new opportunity for development.

4. Odum Village (On-Campus)

Located near UNC Hospitals off William Blythe Drive, Odum Village is roughly one mile from the Smith Center. However, this site conflicts with the university’s current campus master plan, which prioritizes academic, research, and ecological restoration. Though parking could be accommodated with existing lots and garages on campus, the land use designation presents a significant hurdle for the potential development of an arena in this location.

5. Dean Smith Center Renovation (On-Campus)

The option of renovating the existing Dean Smith Center would involve substantial construction and upgrades to the current structure. However, renovations of this scale would require the Tar Heels to play at an off-site location during the construction period. Additionally, a new natatorium (for the university’s swimming programs) would be required, as the current Koury Natatorium is adjacent to the Smith Center. This option would allow for the preservation of the current site while enhancing its functionality, but it may not fully address the long-term needs of the basketball program.

6. Dean Smith Center Replacement (On-Campus)

Another option is replacing the current Smith Center with a brand-new arena on the same site. This would require many of the same considerations as a renovation, including relocating certain programs and potentially relocating the natatorium. However, this option would provide the opportunity for a more comprehensive overhaul and modernization of the facility, which could better serve the needs of both the basketball teams and the fanbase moving forward. While no specific cost estimates or timelines were included in the report, the potential for a new, state-of-the-art venue is certainly an exciting prospect for the university and its supporters.

Considerations for the Future

As UNC moves forward with these discussions, there are several key considerations that will need to be taken into account. The university must balance the desires of its fans with practical concerns, such as cost, infrastructure requirements, and the impact on campus life. Any new or renovated facility will need to meet the evolving needs of the basketball program, provide an exceptional fan experience, and maintain the iconic presence of the Smith Center as a central part of Tar Heel pride.

Additionally, the university must address the logistical challenges posed by off-campus locations. While off-campus venues could provide more space and additional development opportunities, they would require substantial investments in transportation and infrastructure to ensure that fans can still easily access the games. The importance of maintaining a strong campus connection for fans, students, and alumni cannot be overstated, and any decision must consider how to maintain that connection while also improving the facility for future generations of Tar Heels.

Pro Campus Perspective

Off-campus multi-sport facilities, like the ones being considered by North Carolina, provide a number of thoughtful possibilities for business diversity. We saw this with University of Miami. And the same is soon to come with Wake Forest. However, many fans at these universities believe it undermines the essence of the university experience by separating athletics from the heart of campus life. When sports are moved off-campus, students lose the opportunity to engage with athletes and the excitement of live sports events, which are central to campus energy and pride. For prospective students, the absence of visible, on-campus sports can diminish the university’s appeal and make it harder for them to imagine themselves as part of that vibrant community. The logistical burdens of buses or lengthy drives to off-site facilities also waste valuable time, negatively impacting both athletes and students who must travel, removing them from campus life and causing a disconnect between academics, socializing, and athletics. The only exception is where they don’t have to travel 30 minutes or more. This shift still risks eroding the school spirit and student engagement that come from having everything — from practices to games — happening right on campus, where the entire university can be part of the experience. Universities must prioritize the integration of sports into campus life rather than pushing them to the fringes, or they will lose the very sense of community that makes them unique.

As This Story Unfolds

The future of the Smith Center remains an important topic for both the University of North Carolina and its passionate basketball community. Whether through a renovation of the existing building or the construction of a new arena at one of several potential locations, the goal remains clear: to create a state-of-the-art home for UNC basketball that reflects the university’s legacy while supporting the program’s future growth. That name means everything to Carolina Basketball.

It is also right for UNC to consider off-campus facilities to align with the need to adapt to modern demands, as seen in the evolving landscape of college sports. Wake Forest’s upcoming multi-use facility, for example, blends athletic events with community use, maximizing space and revenue potential. For UNC, embracing a more dynamic, modern venue—whether on or off-campus—could enhance the student-athlete experience and attract top recruits in the NIL era, where amenities and fan engagement are more important than ever. As long as it is not far away like the University of Miami’s football experience in Miami Gardens, which has caused their students to express the desire for an on-campus shift in recent years. This consideration, nonetheless, would ensure UNC remains competitive and continues to provide the best possible environment for its teams and supporters.

Michael Jordan and Dean Smith at a North Carolina (UNC) Tar Heels men’s basketball game on Feb. 10, 2007, where the 1957 and 1982 UNC teams were honored. (Credit: Zeke Smith from Chapel Hill, NC, USA – **CC BY-SA 2.0**)

Whatever Carolina decides they must find a way to keep that name, Dean Smith, central to the basketball legacy, especially if they hope to continue garnering funding from prominent alumni. With careful consideration of fan input, logistical challenges, and long-term needs, UNC will make a decision that ensures the Tar Heels continue to compete at the highest level while maintaining the traditions and spirit that make the Smith Center such a beloved venue in college basketball.

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