Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings, heavily damaged by a tornado last summer, is slated to reopen April 15, as crews are rebuilding the roof and cleaning up the interior. It won’t be soon enough for the Billings Outlaws (IFL), as the team folded operations. To say the folding of the Outlaws is a surprise is […]
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Meis joins Populous
Dan Meis, the man who designed Staples Center, the home of the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers (NBA) and the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), has joined Populous and will lead the firm’s new Los Angeles-area office. “Dan’s hire represents a significant stride in Populous’ strategic approach to global design and our firm’s commitment […]
New Orleans VooDoo to return
After a three-year hiatus, the New Orleans VooDoo name is returning to the new AFL, as the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings are relocating to New Orleans Arena for the 2011 season. The new team will use the logos and claim the history of the previous New Orleans VooDoo, which was owned and managed by the NFL’s […]
Initial cost estimates presented for Billings arena renovations
A rebuilding of Billing’s RimRock Auto Arena, heavily damaged by a tornado this summer, could cost as much as $15 million according to estimates presented to Yellowstone County Commissioners yesterday, but the final price tag is expected to be lower as the design is trimmed back. Estimates from CTA Architects (Billings) and Populous (Kansas City) […]
The week that was: July 17
The most popular stories on Arena Digest posted over the last week, as measured by page views. It was a great week for the Pittsburgh Penguins and fans of cutting-edge arena design. Eight-story arena proposed for Toronto waterfront Vegas group: We have contract for NBA team if our arena plan is approved Katz: I will […]
Eight-story arena proposed for Toronto waterfront
A proposed eight-story arena featuring four stacked rinks and a glass exterior is one of the most unique arena designs we’ve seen; let’s hope the city of Toronto will pony up the $34+ million needed to build the distinctive design in the Lower Donlands area. The city has a not-so-unique problem: not enough rinks and […]
Sedgwick County to set up First Amendment zones at new arena
Having a popular arena sometimes means there are unusual demands for managers. With controversial events happening at Wichita’s new Intrust Bank Arena, Sedgwick County officials are looking at setting up official “First Amendment Areas” for protesters. Protests happen at arenas all the time, whether it’s liberals protesting Sarah Palin, conservatives protesting Barack Obama or Tea […]
Stockton looks at shifting arena management to SMG
Management of Stockton Arena could pass from International Facilities Group to SMG if the Stockton City Council has its way. IFG has managed the arena since its opening, but the terms of the deal have rankled city officials for years: the perception is that IFG is doing too little and receiving too much money. So […]
Yellowstone County to rebuild Rimrock Auto Arena
Despite extensive damage from a tornado that saw the roof lifted off the place, Yellowstone County officials say they’ll launch a plan to rebuilt Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings. The tornado, which ripped through the area on June 20, took the roof off the 12,000-seat arena and caused extensive damage, to the point where officials […]
Tornado rips roof off Billing arena; damage is extensive
A tornado ripped the roof off Billings’ Rimrock Auto Arena Sunday, causing millions of dollars in damage and impacting next weekend’s playoff game for the IFL’s Billings Outlaws; officials will decide whether to inspect or demolish 35-year-old facility. UPDATE: We have a photo. It’s not pretty. Rimrock Auto Arena is located in the MetraPark fairgrounds […]
Kansas City Brigade returns to AFL
Another former AFL team owner is re-entering the fold, as the Liken family announces the Kansas City Brigade will be joining the new Arena Football League for the 2011 season. The new AFL management must be doing something right; the Brigade is the third former AFL franchise to commit to the new AFL, as Kansas […]
SaberCats returning to new AFL
The new Arena Football League has another old team returning to the new lineup, as the San Jose SaberCats will field a team in the 2011 season under the direction of the old ownership group. Fry’s Electronics Executive Vice President Kathryn J. Kolder and brothers John, Dave and Randy Fry are heading up the revived […]
