As Allentown’s largest construction project approaches its
potential completion in seven months, a global sports/entertainment firm will
tackle management duties and help with pre-opening details.
The owners of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms hockey team and BDH
Development, the master leaseholder of the $274 million PPL Center in
Allentown, hired Global Spectrum of Philadelphia as the manager and operator of
the multiuse arena. Officials made the announcement in City Center Lehigh
Valley headquarters in Allentown on Thursday.
Global Spectrum is a subsidiary of the Philadelphia Flyers
parent company, Comcast-Spectacor, and manages 123 stadiums, convention centers
and arenas, primarily in North America, said John Page, chief operating officer
for Global Spectrum.
"What's unique about this project is it's a downtown
project in a community," Page said. "When you look at the city being
the third largest city in Pennsylvania without an entertainment center, that's
what excites us … the economic resurgence of the downtown."
State Sen. Pat Browne said the Neighborhood Improvement Zone
(which offers tax incentives for commercial development) was structured to help
Allentown capitalize on the micro-dynamics of rebuilding communities, and with
Global Spectrum managing and operating PPL Center, it offers further evidence
of Allentown's successful growth. The center will include a Marriott
Renaissance hotel and office building with a Lehigh Valley Health Network
facility.
Once PPL Center opens in late summer, the venue could offer
a range of trade shows, live concerts and youth and high school sports events,
in addition to Phantoms pro hockey games and Disney On Ice.
"What we are going to try to do is be all things to all
people," Page said. "It's really an economic model. Most of our
facilities are in this size range."
Artists such as Bon Jovi, Jay-Z and the Rolling Stones
perform in Global Spectrum-managed venues.
PPL Center could attract big-name shows, too, with artists
like Lady Gaga, Cher and Beyonce, Page said. It all depends on what the ticket
prices would be, he added. About 15 to 20 concerts could be scheduled from
September to May, Page said.
"Our events are eclectic; we want to bring first-class,
first-rate events," Page said. "It's certainly very competitive but
we think it's going to be very successful."
Global Spectrum is targeting a Sept. 15 pre-season hockey
game, Page said.
The center will seat more than 10,000 for concerts and more
than 8,500 for Phantoms' American Hockey League games.
Once PPL Center opens, Global Spectrum will handle the daily
management of the arena, including scheduling, maintenance, marketing and other
operations. The company also will hire a general manager and other staff for
the arena.
CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES
"From our end, we are looking at taking over the arena
in August," said Rob Brooks, co-owner of the Phantoms. "Everything is
right on pace."
Workers for Alvin H. Butz Inc. of Allentown have been able
to get some of the framing work completed downstairs, while heaters at the
event level allow work to continue through the frigid temperatures.
Now, workers are installing the floor where the ice rink
will be, Brooks said.
Much of the building is enclosed, and workers are getting
the foundation installed for the ice floor, said William C. "Rob"
Robinson of Hammes Company Sports Development, project manager. Hammes is the
development company overseeing the project; Alvin H. Butz is construction
manager.
"Once that final slab is in, it has to be perfectly
level," Robinson said.
The first part of this process will be done in a few weeks,
followed by a waiting period for the final part of placing the ice into the
floor.
With the roof on, more workers are inside, which is nice
because it's cold, Robinson said.
The front entrance of the arena will be the last piece and
will be enclosed with glass, Robinson said.
"The hotel shell is substantially complete, and once we
get approvals from Marriott, we will start interior construction,"
Robinson said.
Interior work is underway for the LVHN sports medicine and
fitness facility in the new office building next to the arena.
Source: LVB.com
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