INGLEWOOD, Calif. — It was nothing but smiles for the Clipper organization Tuesday afternoon as they raised the last steel beam connecting the metal roofing of their Inglewood arena. Intuit Area is set to be operational by fall of 2024.
Steve Ballmer, longtime Microsoft CEO and current Clipper owner, said that overseeing the construction of the arena was more mentally draining than anything he did previously with Microsoft.
Ballmer’s excitement radiated describing the unique features the arena will have to offer. The Intuit Dome will offer a 51-row student section-like area called “The Wall” reserved for “real Clipper fans only,” with a verification process to prove your loyalty to the franchise. Among many new features Ballmer ensured that the arena will have no shortage of restrooms.
“1,160 toilets and urinals!!” Ballmer yelled to the crowd, via TMZ Sports. “Three times the NBA average number of toilets and urinals. We do not want people waiting in line. We want them back to their damn seats at the end of the half, before the game.”
Other notable features include the double sided halo scoreboard featuring an acre of LED lights, an 80,000 square foot outdoor plaza and a surrounding full court.
“I got here when we first started and to see every bit and piece go in and to get to this point where the roof is actually done it’s a great feeling for not only myself but for the rest of the guys I’m working with,” said Los Angeles native Marcos Sanchez, 53, a construction worker for Intuit. “We are here everyday and we put in the hard sweat to do it.”
Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. was hand in hand with Ballmer as they gave speeches about the process, from the inception to breaking ground and now nearing completion.
“Inglewood had the Lakers up until 1999, and so what this means is a resurgence of basketball in Inglewood,” Butts Jr. said. “It’s another chance for a championship in Inglewood following the Super Bowl championship and we are so elated that we have the NBA and NFL in the city of Inglewood.”
The Clippers have not had their own home since playing at the L.A. Sports Arena in 1999.