With a new Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) season underway, the latest LC Walker Arena renovations are receiving positive feedback.
Over recent months, LC Walker Arena had been undergoing renovations that were aimed at improving the fan experience. Among some of the notable changes to occur at the downtown Muskegon venue included the addition of a new beer garden, kid zone, party decks, and suites and premium seating.
Ulimately, the renovations give all event attendees–including Lumberjacks’ fans–a greater array of viewing options and amenities within LC Walker Arena. The results of the nearly $1 million project were on display on Saturday, when the Lumberjacks hosted the Chicago Steel in their regular-season home opener. More from Muskegon Times:
“It’s just as important for us as the city because we’re trying to draw the top players,” Lumberjacks Head Coach Mike Hamilton said of the arena’s nearly $1 million facelift. “It takes us to another level.”
The extensive renovation work at the 58-year-old arena has transformed the space into a venue that’s meant to draw everyone from sports fans to foodies and those who want a space to hang out with friends and family. The expanded facility includes: party decks where there can be groups of about 10 to 30 people, a pavilion with flat screen televisions broadcasting a variety of sports events, a beer garden, a “kid zone” that will feature a professional clown at most of the Lumberjacks’ games, executive suites with private seating and catered meals from Teddy Spaghetti’s and Bella Maria’s, an area designated for the Muskegon Heights Public School Academy marching band—which will be entertaining the crowds during most of the home games, the previously opened Rad Dads’ Tacos & Tequila Bar, and more.
Of the arena renovations’ nearly $1 million price tag, about $750,000 is coming from the Downtown Development Authority and approximately another $230,000 is from the city’s public improvement fund. City officials, business owners, and sports leaders alike emphasize the new space will not solely be a hub for hockey, but rather a community center that’s meant to highlight the best of urban planning: an affordable, entertaining space that will play host to a wide variety of events and draw a diverse crowd of people from throughout the city and region.
“It needed a facelift; it was time to update the arena and bring more people downtown,” said Muskegon Lumberjacks Administrative Assistant Ann Pendery. “It’s part of the rebuilding of downtown.”
Those improvements should to modernize the offerings at LC Walker Arena, which originally opened in 1960.
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