Friday, January 02 2009
The article below is well written and summarizes the advantages for having a new stadium downtown. The economic benefits by far will be greater with a new arena than having to renovate Robert Stadium. We hope that Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel will start with the construction of the new arena in the first half of 2009. New arena right for many reasons By ED HAFER Special to the Courier & Press
The time is now for a new Downtown arena. For the past 18 months, the Roberts Stadium Advisory Board, led by Wayne Henning, has studied the question of what to do with Roberts Stadium. Its work has been deliberate, thorough, professional and open. The board and its consultants have shown that the stadium is worn out and functionally obsolete. Renovation would be expensive and difficult to finance, and the final product would compromise event types and spectator convenience. On Dec. 16 the board unanimously recommended to the mayor that a new arena be built Downtown. This is the right decision for many reasons. New and better events, including enhanced convention and conference facilities. A conservative financing plan that uses existing revenue sources; no new taxes. Significant economic benefit for the short term (construction) and the future (ongoing operations) not just for Downtown but the Tri-State. A catalyst for related development Downtown, likely to include a new hotel, resulting in increased convention revenues beyond those projected for the arena. Enhanced quality of life for the entire region. The arena will make The board and Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel are to be congratulated for their work. The question has been addressed, and the answer is to move forward with the new Downtown arena. Edmund L. Hafer Jr. is president of the Evansville Regional Business Committee. Source: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2009/Jan/2/new-arena-right-for-many-reasons/
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