Damn you did you’re research. But I’mJMU's basketball arena is too small to hold convocation now, so that's why they're getting a new arena.
The relative age of the arena isn't a problem (Cameron Indoor was built in 1940, as an example, the Palestra was built in 1926, as another one). The bones of the arena are just fine (I mean, it was built in the 80s so aesthetically it's a bit ugly, but that's fine). It also went through a major $20 million renovation after the Final Four, and we continue to evolve the interior. Maybe at some point we'll reduce total capacity and built in suites, but that's a heavy lift given they'd have to shut the arena down for a long period in the offseason to build suites and redo the seating bowl, and that's a lot of lost revenue in the meantime.
The practice facility is something everyone has been asking for (well, outside of Paul Hewitt) for almost 20 years, and we finally got it done under BE. You've got to give him credit for that.
Other A-10 Arena ages:
URI: 1956
Dayton: 1968
St. Bonaventure: 1966
La Salle: 1998
vcu: 1996
St. Louis: 2008
Richmond: 1972
Davidson: 1989
Fordham: 1925
UMass: 1993
St. Joes: 1949
GW: 1975
Duquesne: 1988
not suggesting building a new arena. My larger point is that renovations are expected for a 35 year old building. So I guess Edwards did was expected/needed.