By Bennett Haeberle WDRB-TV Fox 41 News bhaeberle@fox41.com
LOUISVILLE, KY (WDRB) -- Hundreds of eager University of Louisville fans waited in summer-like temperatures to get a first glimpse of the new downtown arena along the Ohio River.
The 22,000 seat KFC Yum! Center was unveiled to the public Sunday in ribbon-cutting ceremony along Main Street.
The opening of the $238 million arena marked a stark contrast from five years ago when disputes over where it should be built led to bitter divides among civic leaders.
There were many who doubted the arena would ever be built. Arena Authority Chairman Jim Host was among them.
"This is a day I'm not sure I thought would ever come," Host told a crowd on the arena's plaza along Main Street.
UofL men's basketball coach Rick Pitino told the crowd of Cardinal fans he too was "a doubting Thomas."
"I said it would never happen," Pitino recalled. "And the reason I thought it would never happen was the early years..."
On Sunday, all those old feelings went away.
"Sometimes it's tough getting to a place at the end to celebrate. But we're here and I think it's a great day," said Metro Councilwoman Tina Ward- Pugh, D - District 9.
For L'Tonya Levell, whose daughter, Ell, plays for UofL's women's team, it was an even sweeter moment.
"Final four, championship, whatever it is. I'll be here. It's great I'm excited," she said.
The general consensus now has been rather positive.
It was enough to bring two old political foes together in former Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher and current Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, who chief among his responsibilities, included announcing this arena's concert lineup.
"Miracles do happen... The Eagles... Lady Gaga," he said, which was followed by applause. Louisville rockers My Morning Jacket will play a show Halloween weekend with the Louisville Orchestra.
"Those are the types of bookings that used to bypass us in favor of more, modern amenities. But now those days are over. Kentucky and Louisville has a brand new arena in a thriving downtown," said Beshear.
The new arena is being touted as a magnet for the state.
Of course, its main job is to serve as the home of the UoL men's and women's basketball teams.
"This is a dream that I never thought I would see the day that Freedom Hall closed,and I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would ever see a building this magnificent," said Coach Rick Pitino.
The new arena will be put to the test later this week. The Lady Cards have practice on Tuesday.
