Saturday will likely be one of the biggest days in 2009 for the RBC Center. At 3:30 the N.C. State Wolfpack will host their rivals, North Carolina. At 8 o’clock, the Carolina Hurricanes will host Southeast Division rivals Atlanta Thrashers.

With the basketball game in all likelihood ending at 5:30, the arena staff will be in high gear for a quick changeover. Fans will be asked to throw away their own garbage from their seats and clear the building after the basketball game as quickly as possible to facilitate a smooth transition.

For fans wishing to attend both games there is good news. The arena club restaurant will open at 6pm. Reservations are strongly recommended (call 861-6100). For those attending the basketball game and dining in the arena club, proceed to the VIP entrance as quickly as possible once the game is over and wait for the building to be cleared for re-entry.

Also those parking in reserved, paved lots (lots #1 thru #6) for the basketball game are not required to move their cars or pay for hockey parking that night.

It should be one of those nice, long, fantastic days we hoped for when we built the arena a decade ago.