LEXINGTON, Ky. — University of Kentucky’s Memorial Coliseum reopened on Saturday, April 26 after renovations. The grand reopening was celebrated with guest speakers and students.

The $82-million renovation is the largest investment in women’s sports facilities in UK’s history.

“This is just so unbelievable and just all the hard work that has been put into this,” said Brooklyn DeLeye, UK Women’s Volleyball Outside Hitter.

DeLeye has been playing volleyball since she was nine years old. Now as a sophomore at the university, she’s played in the old Memorial Coliseum, without air conditioning.

“During camps and stuff, a lot of us would just go out in the main hallway and just get some fresh air, go in and just come back in here to sweat it all off,” DeLeye said.

The renovations included a new sound system, new locker rooms, scoreboard, lighting and cold air.

“So definitely having the air conditioning is super helpful, but just everything that this place stands for is really cool,” DeLeye said.

She said the building also serves as a memorial for veterans. In the latest renovation, pillars and plaques were built outside the main entrance to honor those who have served in World War II.

“We carved names in places we pass, so legacy meets us where we live. So, we can look on with reverence for those righteous souls who made the ultimate sacrifice as the greatest generation,” said UK president Eli Capilouto.

University officials said in a press release, 344 UK student and staff died in World War II and 25 of them were student athletes.

“Next time, walking outside and coming into each game, looking at the names that kind of brought us to where we are has been really cool and just it’s, you never want to forget those people,” DeLeye said.

The coliseum was first built in 1950 with a $4 million price tag.