Pauley Pavilion Will Be Ready For UCLA Basketball’s First Game

Jan 12, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; A general view of Pauley Pavilion prior to a game between the UCLA Bruins and Arizona State Sun Devils. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Fielding-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Peter of USA Today reported that the legendary Pauley Pavilion will be ready for the exhibition and season opening games after the arena was flooded due to a water main break on Sunset Blvd., on the north end of campus. Yesterday, the majority of the UCLA athletic facilities were overrun with water after approximately 10 million gallons flooded the north side of campus and eventually made its way into Pauley Pavilion. Shocking photos show Nell and John Wooden court submerged under water, as well as flooding in the locker rooms.

Peter had reported that the floor was dry as of Wednesday morning, but there are several other concerns:

"Though the floor was dry Wednesday morning after emergency crews suctioned and mopped water, there was still water beneath the floor and the wooden planks were cupped and water stained. Newth said the floor will be sanded."

Pauley Pavilion had just re-opened two years ago after a $136 million renovation. Although UCLA will be ready for their October 31 exhibition game against Azusa Pacific, it is a problem the University could have lived without, especially with other renovation projects recently completed or on-going. As of now, it has no been reported if the track and field at Drake Stadium have suffered any damage, which had just completed its renovation earlier this summer.

As for Pauley Pavilion, this is good news, especially since many Bruin fans cringed at the thought of potentially watching UCLA basketball games at the less-than-stellar Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena again. Stay with Go Joe Bruin as we bring you more information on the UCLA flood when it becomes available.