Another New Arena

[Blue & Gold]

Here's another very nice, new facility just opening at St. Louis University. It has a capacity of just over 10,000 (from my understanding that is not including seating in the 14 loges). I think 10,000ish is the capacity we should one day aim for. That's a completely uneducated opinion, but I don't think we'd want an arena the size of Cleveland State's, right? You go to a game there and the CSU Convocation Center so cavernous and empty it's a depressing environment. I don't know, maybe my thinking is too small? Anyhow, check this out:http://www.thechaifetzarena.com/

[skip-zip]

I certainly understand the thinking of not having an arena that is too big, for the fear of having it look very "empty". That doesn't do much for home court advantage.On the other hand, I really believe that if Akron builds a 10,000 seat arena the next time around, we could really run the risk of ourgrowing it somewhere down the line. It's a tough call. Maybe something that has the ability to close off upper sections is the right compromise.

[timmyboy]

I do look for the city to work with the University within the next 5-10 years to build a new arena that can be both used to the university and the city. There have been talks for the last 2-3 years with the city and other organizations to bring in a "minor" league team for the Cavs, a team that can be added to the NBADL. Right now the cavs send their players that they want to develope and grow down to Texas to play on a team in the NBADL. Wouldnt it be nice to have an arena that the university can use and also one for a develpomental team from the NBA. I think it may bring alot of exposure to the city and Akron U.

[ziptrumpet87]

It also opens up possibilities for hockey, indoor soccer, more concerts, etc.

[Blue & Gold]

It also opens up possibilities for hockey, indoor soccer, more concerts, etc.

We definitely need more concerts downtown. We currently don't have any at all. Neither the Civic nor EJ Thomas bring in bands. An arena could be used year-around to bring patrons to the restaurants downtown before and after events.I believe the Chaifetz Arena is saying that they'll have close to 200 events per year, or something like that. I'm as excited about the new football stadium as anyone; I've been waiting for that announcement for about 10 years! But the Zips will only play there what, 6 times per year? Then we'll probably host a high school game of the week, which would be 10 more events per year. Add in the high school playoffs and that's another, what 5 events per year. And then I know they're planning to host some band shows, so, we'll say 3 band shows per year. Added together that's around 22 events per year. Needless to say downtown establishments will benefit far more from an arena than from the football stadium. Downtown really needs a quality arena venue.

[ZipAlumn]

It also opens up possibilities for hockey, indoor soccer, more concerts, etc.

We definitely need more concerts downtown. We currently don't have any at all. Neither the Civic nor EJ Thomas bring in bands. An arena could be used year-around to bring patrons to the restaurants downtown before and after events.

FYI .... Akron's Recreation Department holds free concerts at various parks every night of the week during the summer and two of them are downtown. I believe that one is Wednesday noon at Cascade Plaza and the other is Thursday evening at the Akron Art Museum. Also Lock 3 (?) has concerts periodically downtown during the summer. Then there is the periodic events on Main Street like the Ribs Burn Off that feature concerts. These are all outdoor so no arena is involved. For my money the City of Akron does a very good job of providing downtown entertainment during the summer.