Megan Wyatt, , The Advertiser, Nov. 30, 2016

What can you do with $22 million and six months? Give the Cajundome a complete makeover.

Some of the renovations are immediately seen, such as the new seats in the arena and the new coating on the arena roof.

Others are less visible but equally important, such as the upgraded fire protection system and the enhanced electrical system.

These are the renovations that took place during the Cajundome renovation closure from May to November.

1. The south lobby concession stands were renovated and upgraded to include equipment to grill and fry on site, providing an enhanced menu selection.

2. The ceiling in the south lobby was elevated from about 8 feet to 12 feet.

3. The ground-level restrooms were renovated.

4. The first-aid room was moved to the south lobby for greater visibility and access.

5. All ground-level interior doors were replaced.

6. University of Louisiana at Lafayette graphics were installed in the south lobby, upper concourse and lower concourse.

7. Graphics that tell the history of UL basketball were installed in the lower concourse.

8. A hallway was installed from the arena to the east and west ground-level restrooms to ease wait times at the south lobby restrooms.

9. Half of the retractable seating was converted to permanent seating to install portals beneath seats.

10. All seats in the arena were replaced.

11. The arena lighting system was replaced with an LED lighting system.

12. The arena sound system was upgraded.

13. The scoreboard and video screens were refurbished.

14. Extra seats were installed behind each basketball goal.

15. A new seating bowl effect was created for UL basketball games.

16. The entire interior of the arena was repainted in a black and gray theme.

17. Handrails were installed on the arena steps from the lower to the upper levels.

18. Thirty-seven TVs were installed throughout the concourse and south lobby to live broadcast arena events.

19. The basketball court was resurfaced using UL’s Cypress Lake as the theme.

20. New basketball goals were installed.

21. The fire protection system was upgraded and completely replaced.

22. The electrical system was enhanced.

23. All hallway, lobby and restroom lights were replaced with an LED lighting system.

24. The basketball TV lighting system was replaced with digital LED lights that are brighter and more concentrated on the court.

25. The seating capacity for basketball games was increased by 1,000.

26. The concert seating capacity was increased by 500 to 800.

27. New signage and a wayfinding system were installed.

28. Ribbon boards were relocated from behind goals to east and west of the basketball court.

29. The arena roof and metal roof were cleaned and recoated.

30. The upper-level concession stands and restrooms will be renovated (in progress).

Here is a breakdown of how the $22,175,000 was spent.