Big preps underway in Prov. for NCAA

PROVIDENCE, R .I. (FOX Providence) - The NCAA tournament has arrived. While the college basketball teams pack their bags and board their flights to T.F. Green Airport , the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence is being transformed into a basketball stadium fit for a national audience.

With the pom-poms, basketballs, and pep bands still en route, crews have been hard at work to get everything ready. And, it starts from the floor up.

It took crews most of Monday morning to assemble the conference approved flooring. But, the court is just the start of the preparations underway.

The city is expecting an influx of teams and fans for the NCAA tournament . But, before they hit the town, visitors will be greeted with some Rhode Island hospitality.

Welcome packets with area information are being shipped off the hosting hotels. And, teams will be greeted with coffee milk and other treats.

The city of Providence will be treated in return. The estimated economic impact is expected to boost the local economy.

"We feel confident that this will be in the three million, three point five million dollar mark," said Kristen Adamo of the Rhode Island Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The area restaurants and hotels are hoping to score with the visiting team, but they promise to still have room for the hometown fans.