It was April 28, 2007, when The Examiner first reported Independence was talking with Global Entertainment about a minor-league hockey franchise and the possibility of an arena.
Just a month later, under the headline “Will the puck stop here?,” city officials said they were close to finalizing the deal, which included a $58 million arena at the intersections of Interstates 70 and 470.
Nearly two-and-a-half years later, the Independence Events Center is ready to open its doors. A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The public is invited to attend the open house and get a look inside the arena. The Truman High School Trutones will perform, and the first 1,000 visitors will receive a ski cap souvenir and all others will receive commemorative tickets.
The first puck will be dropped Sunday afternoon with a high-school age Mid-America Hockey League game between the Independence Mavericks Jr. and Rockhurst. The city’s new minor league team, the Missouri Mavericks, open at home next Friday.
When the arena and plans for a hockey league were first announced there was skepticism by some in the community who questioned the need of a publicly-funded arena – a one-cent sales tax paid by consumers at businesses near the arena funds the bonds – or for the wisdom of getting a hockey team in an area where the sport has no roots.
But as the grand opening has approached, the skepticism has turned mostly to enthusiam and excitement. The Mavericks have done an outstanding job of ingratiating themselves to the community and building anticipation for the season.
As for the arena, The Examiner was privileged recently to get a preview tour of the community rink, locker rooms, kitchen, luxury suites, etc., and we came away impressed. The city has hit a home run in bringing a first-class amenity to the community.
An advantage of a smaller arena with capacity of less than 6,000 for hockey games is that all the seats are close to the action. Even the upper rows look like good seats. And at concerts, where floor seating is allowed and the capacity grows by a couple of thousand, it will still be a much more intimate setting than large arenas.
From the granite countertops to the tile floors, corners were not cut in the arena details. The city will have a facility it can be proud of and enjoy for many years to come.
Much credit is due to City Manager Robert Heacock and staff, Mayor Don Reimal and the City Council for delivering what it promised, a fabulous new attraction for Independence and all of Eastern Jackson County, on time, and on budget.
But don’t take our word for it. Go check it our for yourself Saturday.
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It was April 28, 2007, when The Examiner first reported Independence was talking with Global Entertainment about a minor-league hockey franchise and the possibility of an arena.
Just a month later, under the headline “Will the puck stop here?,” city officials said they were close to finalizing the deal, which included a $58 million arena at the intersections of Interstates 70 and 470.
Nearly two-and-a-half years later, the Independence Events Center is ready to open its doors. A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The public is invited to attend the open house and get a look inside the arena. The Truman High School Trutones will perform, and the first 1,000 visitors will receive a ski cap souvenir and all others will receive commemorative tickets.
The first puck will be dropped Sunday afternoon with a high-school age Mid-America Hockey League game between the Independence Mavericks Jr. and Rockhurst. The city’s new minor league team, the Missouri Mavericks, open at home next Friday.
When the arena and plans for a hockey league were first announced there was skepticism by some in the community who questioned the need of a publicly-funded arena – a one-cent sales tax paid by consumers at businesses near the arena funds the bonds – or for the wisdom of getting a hockey team in an area where the sport has no roots.
But as the grand opening has approached, the skepticism has turned mostly to enthusiam and excitement. The Mavericks have done an outstanding job of ingratiating themselves to the community and building anticipation for the season.
As for the arena, The Examiner was privileged recently to get a preview tour of the community rink, locker rooms, kitchen, luxury suites, etc., and we came away impressed. The city has hit a home run in bringing a first-class amenity to the community.
An advantage of a smaller arena with capacity of less than 6,000 for hockey games is that all the seats are close to the action. Even the upper rows look like good seats. And at concerts, where floor seating is allowed and the capacity grows by a couple of thousand, it will still be a much more intimate setting than large arenas.
From the granite countertops to the tile floors, corners were not cut in the arena details. The city will have a facility it can be proud of and enjoy for many years to come.
Much credit is due to City Manager Robert Heacock and staff, Mayor Don Reimal and the City Council for delivering what it promised, a fabulous new attraction for Independence and all of Eastern Jackson County, on time, and on budget.
But don’t take our word for it. Go check it our for yourself Saturday.
