Acts ranging from rock stars to rodeos and from circus clowns to country music - with a few noisy monster trucks thrown into the mix - are prompting Siouxlanders to snap up tickets to Sioux City's Tyson Events Center.
During its first year of operation, city leaders lauded the $53 million facility as helping to make Sioux City a cultural and entertainment draw for the region.
"The events center is proving to be a versatile facility with everything imaginable taking place from sold-out concerts and games to visits from the president," Councilman Marty Dougherty exclaimed.
"It doesn't hurt that the new events center is much stronger financially than was the old auditorium as an arena," said Dougherty, who headed the Events Center Executive Committee that oversaw construction.
The Municipal Auditorium has been renovated into the Long Lines Family Rec Center.
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Smuckers Stars on Ice christened the 10,000-seat Gateway Arena with the first main event Feb. 2, 2004 followed by the inaugural concert featuring country superstars Alan Jackson and Martina McBride. The popular Canadian band Barenaked Ladies was the first to rock 'n' roll the rafters. During 2004, headliners included Aerosmith, Cher and Kenny Chesney.
The Tyson ranked 66th in the world last year in the number of tickets sold at arenas, according to Pollstar magazine.
Dennis Gann, executive director of the Convention Center/Auditorium/Tourism Bureau, said he is booking major acts for 2005. Just last week, artist Josh Groban, who wowed the audience with his televised Oscar appearance, took the Tyson stage. Chesney will return April 21.
Gann said he has just booked Motley Crue to appear in October.
On March 4-5, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics held its National Wrestling Championship at the events center for the first time. On March 9-15, the NAIA Women's Division II National Basketball Tournament made a return engagement.
This strong interest in the Tyson Center is what city and civic leaders envisioned when they proposed construction of the facility. Private funding was the key to obtaining the $21 million in state Vision Iowa Funds for the project. The city relied upon historic tax credits, riverboat gaming revenues, local bonds, sales tax receipts, private sector investment and contributions from Woodbury County.
Sponsors' names can be found throughout the building. Tyson Foods obtained the naming rights to the complex for $4 million. Gateway bought the naming rights to the arena for $750,000, while Long Lines purchased the naming rights to the Municipal Auditorium for the same amount. Other companies purchased naming rights for signs.
The city charges a $2 per ticket facility fee for concerts, while such events as Musketeer hockey goers pay a $1 per ticket facility fee. That money goes to the Finance Department to pay off the city's debt in building the complex. The city has embarked on a rapid payback period - by 2009.
The new rink meets National Hockey League specifications and features a state-of-the-art video board system that allows for instant replays. In addition to the Musketeers, the arena is home to the Sioux City Bandits arena football team.
The arena can seat up to 6,735 for hockey, 6,800 for indoor football and 6,090 for basketball. Three rows of retractable seats surrounding the perimeter of the ice rink can be used as needed for hockey games and concerts, but can be removed for basketball and football games.
A stage can be placed at either end of the seating bowl or in the center of the arena for an "in the round" type show. A large curtain at the end of the arena can reduce the size of the venue to make for more intimate concert settings, Gann said.
The Events Center Executive Committee decided to purchase wider, more comfortable seats. An even roomier view is available in the 28 skyboxes on the east and west sides of the arena. Individuals and corporations have leased the skyboxes for either five or 10 years.
Seven corporations are on the waiting list to lease a suite and city officials are looking at converting the sound booth to a 29th suite. The cost ranges from $12,500 to $29,500 a year depending upon the size of the skybox and design package selected.
Outside, a fountain and mural highlight the main southern entrance to the Gateway Arena. The plaza contains colored concrete, landscaping and decorative grasses. A large sign in the parking lot advertises upcoming events.
"This is an incredible asset to the city," Councilman Dave Ferris stated.
Councilman Jason Geary added, "I am excited to see the sense of ownership that has developed within our whole community over the events center. ... I personally look forward to doing my part to ensure that it remains a successful venue for us for many years to come."
Lynn Zerschling may be reached at (712) 293-4202 or lynnzerschling@ siouxcityjournal.com
