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 […]
Archive | Miscellaneous
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 […]
UFC yanks show from Salt Lake after poor ticket sales
Poor advance sales for an Aug. 1 card at Salt Lake City’s EnergySolutions Arena is forcing Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to move the event to the San Diego Sports Arena. It’s a surprise, given how hot UFC is nationally and how often the company sells out arenas — even big-buck matches like UFC 114 in […]
Master plan for Las Vegas arena includes NBA, NHL teams
A game plan of sorts is emerging for the developer proposing a new arena on the Las Vegas Strip, including the ownership of NBA and NHL franchises and temporary venues for each before a new facility is built. To say the plan is audacious is an understatement. But big thinking is wired into the Las […]
Las Vegas foundation drops arena effort
A local foundation working with AEG on a new Las Vegas arena behind the Imperial Palace casino has abandoned their efforts after overwhelming apathy from Clark County leaders. The Las Vegas Arena Foundation says it will stop its pursuit of the arena, which would be built on land donated by Harrah’s and funded by a […]
The week that was: June 12
Here are the most popular stories in the past week on Arena Digest, as measured in page views. In general, it was a week where the new ownership of the Phoenix Coyotes and the proposed merger between the CHL and the IHL dominated the news. Hold your horses: CHL/IHL merger hitting obstacles Bettman: Oh, Canada? […]
Kalamazoo arena proponents turning to private sector
After Kalamazo County Commissioners passed on putting a tax increase on an August ballot to fund a proposed Kalamazoo arena, proponents are turning to the private sector to revive the project. The proposed downtown Kalamazoo arena would house the Kalamazoo Wings (IHL) and Western Michigan sports teams. Owned by Western Michigan, the proposed nine-acre site […]
Despite woes of sports teams, businesses pleased with U.S. Cellular Coliseum
Despite the financial woes experienced by the pro sports teams playing at U.S. Cellular Coliseum, area businesses are thrilled with the financial impact from the facility. The Bloomington, Indiana facility has made an impact by bringing in high-impact groups and concerts to the area. Arena management estimates that these events have added $60 million to […]
Evansville approves arena funding plan
The official funding plan for the $127.5-million project shields the city from some financial liability; the big question remaining is who will be playing in the facility. The Evansville City Council finalized the funding arrangements for the new downtown arena, identifying the three major financing sources for the project. Basically, money for the arena will […]
