N.C. State Officials Call New Arena Seats Unacceptable

Opinions vary, but N.C. State officials say the color of the seats are unacceptable.

A big part of the agreement that brought the Hurricanes and the Wolfpack under one roof was that the seats would be Wolfpack Red.

High-ranking N.C. State officials met with Centennial Authority representatives Wednesday. They say the seats are not acceptable to N.C. State and that the Arena Authority is holding up a $1.8 million payment to the Carolina Hurricanes for the purchase of the seats.

The specific problem is with the seat cushions. They are supposed to be all Wolfpack Red. Les Robinson, N.C. State's athletic director, says he sees it as an honest mistake, but that the burgundy color of the cushions is unacceptable to N.C. State.

"First of all the seats are the right color, and N.C. State's basketball coach has passed on the color, the plastic molded seats and the medal frames," says Curt Williams, executive director of the Arena Authority.

The construction coordinator for the Arena Authority, Ray Rouse, says the seats are going to have to be changed out. He does not know if it can be done before the opening, but says that it will not hold up the opening.