The Florida State basketball team opened up its first official practice of the 2014-2015 season Wednesday afternoon inside the practice facility.

And just a stone's throw away, renovations inside the Donald Tucker Center continued to press on with the season quickly approaching. With the first exhibition game against Embry Riddle just 26 days away, the Tuck will have to be game ready -- something that is now within reach. But it's more than just being game ready, it's an exciting time for members of the basketball program, watching the old school civic center get a face lift..

"Now that you actually own [the Civic Center], you feel a little more comfortable investing money into it," FSU head coach Leonard Hamilton said. "Just the seats alone and the scoreboard gives it a fresher look. Obviously with us having to play, you can't do everything at one time, but they plan to phase things in, and hopefully in a short period of time we'll have us a brand new renovated facility."

Renovations coming along quickly inside the Donald Tucker Center. #FSU pic.twitter.com/PTqY4Wf4rH — Dustin Tackett (@dtackett_) October 8, 2014

The plans won't stop with what can be seen by adoring fans come basketball season, there are also plans to renovate the lockers rooms, along with other things.

But for now, inside a building that was once filled with seats that could have been covered in puke and gone unnoticed, the face lift has brought a much needed improvement. The lighting is better -- not from replacing the lights, but from simply cleaning the glass -- and the added ribbon boards and scoreboards will add light as well.

"Civic Center lookin' nice, they big time over there, huh?," FSU guard Aaron Thomas said with a huge smile, "They doing all of these good things for us, so I think it's time for us to go step up."

There are four new scoreboards -- one in each corner -- and four ribbon boards as well, also in the corners.

Also added four brand new scoreboards, one for each corner, providing a more modern look. Thank the basketball gods. pic.twitter.com/Kw4Pn71WIe — Dustin Tackett (@dtackett_) October 8, 2014

They have four ribbon boards, one in each corner. These will be running in unison during #FSU basketball games. pic.twitter.com/ZxCBnY3yLt — Dustin Tackett (@dtackett_) October 8, 2014

The video board in the center is also brand spanking new, a much needed upgrade, as the previous video board has been on its last leg for years, malfunctioning from time to time.

And last but not least, the video boards. Keep your grubby little fingers off it! pic.twitter.com/4B2NZRwSH0 — Dustin Tackett (@dtackett_) October 8, 2014

The seats are wide, comfortable, garnet and completely leather, with each pillow of the gods coming with its own cup holder. This is crucial for anybody who has drank a delicious beverage at the Tuck in recent years, cradling your beer between your knees or at your feet. Welcome to luxury, my friends.

New seats in the Tuck. Garnet leather and wider than before. pic.twitter.com/gm5ulCF1oN — Dustin Tackett (@dtackett_) October 8, 2014

Seats look good in garnet, much better than the old crowd fillers. pic.twitter.com/yG3O4X9Eft — Dustin Tackett (@dtackett_) October 8, 2014

As renovations come to a close, I'll bring you further updates. But for now, I have to say it looks a whole lot better than it did this time last year.

WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?