WORCESTER, Mass. - Nearly 2,000 seats have already been removed from the DCU Center, and when renovations are complete, about 13,000 new ones will be added. 

The arena is in the process of replacing all of its seats, and was offering the old seats free of charge to anyone who filled out a form on their website. The DCU said they've already given away so many chairs, they're no longer taking requests. 

Marketing director John LaHair said the renovation will improve the fan experience at the arena.

“The team we brought in to help with the project on behalf of the City of Worcester has already started removing the 200 level seats, they actually finished the 300 level last week,” LaHair said. “They're going to start their way up and work all the way down to the 100 level. Any show that comes in is making sure the fan is having a first-rate experience, and with the seats that are coming in, it's going to be a first-rate experience”

The project is expected to be complete by the first week of October. The venue already has events lined up for the month, including the Railers home opener on Oct. 20.