Barnhart open to Jim Host’s idea of Rupp as basketball’s Fenway

With an eye toward the shaky economy, Lexington businessman Jim Host suggested earlier this year that Rupp Arena be preserved as college basketball’s Fenway Park. Rather than go through the expense of building a new arena, Lexington could renovate Rupp more economically.

“We’ll be open to looking at everything,” UK Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart said Monday. ” . . . I’m not going to say we’re locked into one thing. My thing is to be open-minded.”

Ea rlier in a briefing for reporters, Lexington Mayor Jim Gray said that either Rupp Arena or a new downtown arena had to meet the needs of UK’s basketball program.

When asked how Rupp Arena was not currently meeting the needs of the program, Barnhart noted the importance of staying current with “electronics” and concessions. He also suggested that recruiting does not revolve around history.

“Kids have a three- or four-year window,” he said.