FORT COLLINS — Basketball at Moby Arena just got a whole lot better.
Earlier this week, Colorado State University announced that it will be selling beer and wine in a controlled-access space dubbed the “Moby Loft”. Athletic Director Joe Parker showed 9News the space, which is located in sections J-K on the second level of the building.
“We’ve been trying to figure out where we could do some hospitality here in Moby Arena. We got a space called the Bob Davis Hall, but it was a limited access space and doesn’t provide any sightlines to the court,” Parker explained.
When the football team moved their offices to the new stadium, CSU had ample space to work with.
According to Parker, the idea is six to eight months in the making and is expected to be completed by January. Moby Arena has a capacity of 8,745 but they are currently in the process of removing 600 seats to build the new party deck. The university is working with a local construction company to demo the space and once that is complete, they plan to install two mobile service stations and a drink rail to close off the area. Parker also hopes to bring in a sponsorship partner for branding opportunities.
The inspiration behind the project comes from the success of the New Belgium Porch at Canvas Stadium.
“It’s something different, it’s something unique,” Parker said. “As far as I know, much like the New Belgium Porch at Canvas Stadium, it’s the first of its kind in intercollegiate athletics for basketball arenas.”
More than 300 people will be able to enjoy Moby Loft, although Parker says that they are still figuring out exactly who will be allowed in the space.
“I think we’re going to look at it as just a sampling opportunity this year,” Parker explained. “Probably on the weekends we’ll have more demand and we may extend specific invitations to people. During weekday games it may more of if you’re here in the arena and there’s space available, you’re more than welcome to come through, or that may end up being more of an invitation-model as well.”
Parked added that they are already considering adding a second party deck on the opposite end of the court.
