Arena General manager Terry Torkildson’s  face says it all (Image: KELO-TV screenshot)
Here we go again, two stories come out today about the Events Center that probably would have affected the vote.
First the Skyforce will not be moving to the new Events Center &
two lead developers in Sioux Falls poo-poo the Arena location.
Like Holsen said, “Where were all these developers when the debate on the Event Center was going on?”
Get ready for another boondoggle Sioux Falls, and this one is gonna hurt, real bad.
Is there any way to stop this runaway train?
Sullivan was in full-spin mode on KELO tonight. He actually proclaimed the Skyforce move a good thing for the new EC because it frees up dates for other events. One event mentioned was the Home Show. I laughed so hard that I nearly choked on my dinner!
First, the Skyforce never intended to play in the new EC despite the team’s picture on Build It Now’s campaign web site: http://builditnowsiouxfalls.com. False advertising, I say.
Second, the Skyforce move likely leaves the Arena with ZERO tenants once the EC opens in 2014. That’s a double-whammy to the taxpayers.
As for these developers, they didn’t want to deal with the perceived ramifications of opposing the Mayor or the Chamber during the campaign. There would be hell to pay from City Hall if the “no” votes prevailed, so they kept quiet. And they weren’t alone – which is why it was so easy for BIN and MMM to pull this off.
Money. That is all the building of the Events Center has to do with. Money coming from our pockets to people who have to much to begin with. This was never about a need.
Those who come here regularly were not in any way surprised by these developments. We have known exactly what the score is from day one. Now, go to the Argus, read the comments on these two stories that came out today. Pure lunacy. Those comments are from people who feel they were surprised. No…not surprised. Sucker-punched. This is an indictment against the Argus, and the other so-called objective news gatherers in this town. They FAIL.
I think they should tear the argus building down so the Y can have a decent parking lot. I think that would be a better use of the space. Can we vote on that?
High voter turnout = ignorance prevails
Anyone who has been paying attention already knew the Skyforce had no plans to leave the Arena. They even admitted it previously.
Think about it – they already have a few thousand empty seats for every game which looks bad enough during the highlight reel or in photos, but if they moved to a new facility there would just be another 5,000 or so more empty seats which would make them look even worse. Plus the costs with the new facility would be much higher, and it isn’t like the Skyforce is rolling in cash.
The real issue is that there wasn’t anyone with the means, money, or influence to get this type of information on the front page. The Argus can try to pretend they are doing a public service by bringing all of this to light now, but they knew all of this before and kept quiet because they have decided you can sell more papers with manufactured controversy.
Unfortunately, the last chance to derail this thing was at the Nov. 21 city council meeting, where the bond measure passed by an 8-0 council vote. Funny how this only came out after the last nail was in the coffin.
Interesting to note, that among the details of proposals for the EC being built DT, and also increasing “flat floor spce” at the existing CC and A site was eliminating HALF of the seats in the arena give it additional flat space and create a more intimate environment for smaller capacity needs events. That approach would have enabled the ‘Force to stay at the – then 3,250 seat – Arena.
Essentially, the existing seating at the Arena would have been torn out, and the whole set-up turned 90 degrees, leaving half the existing space open.
Tom – have a feeling there are still more nails to come.
Like I have said all along, we should have just remodeled the Arena. Sanford figured out building a smaller venue that you can be competitive and self-sustaining if not profitable. That is why Huether was unable to garner one single corporate sponsor, for our demographics the EC is way too large and in a poor location. Who want to support that. I wish the Pentagon much success, it’s nice to see Sanford doesn’t have a problem with building sports entertainment facilities on the backs of the sick and dying, and once they get that extra penny from taxing food they will also be putting the screws to people who eat. What a great community we live in.
But where will the Black Eyed Peas play???? lolz
No, no you mean where is the Cherry Poppin Daddies going to play?
Either way, there’s a bar or two in town that can handle their audience.
The Hamburger Inn could handle that show.
At least now we know why Sanford didn’t jump aboard the event center bandwagon. So far have any of the city’s sport teams signed up to play in this wonderful piece of unneeded architecture?
No, but when they do sign those agreements…they are open records ……..
Both the Stampede and the Storm ownership did formal presentations to the 2009 EC Task Force, and Both indicated that they could not pay any more rent than what they are currently being charged for the Arena.
Now how are we going to make those numbers work in a 183 million dollar facility (with unknown operating costs)!!!!????
I believe the Storm can’t pay more than what they do now. In fact, I wouldn’t be shocked if they’re no longer around by the time the building is ready.
The Stampede is another story, though. They basically print money, as the players don’t make any money (not that Storm players make a whole lot of cash). They’re amateurs hoping to be noticed by the NHL. I don’t believe for a second they can’t pay higher rent, and they should as Weckworth was one of those lecturing the public that this building was so needed. He’s a cheap fuck, though, so he’s going to demand they don’t have to pay for the nicer amenities his team will use.
“I wouldn’t be shocked if they’re no longer around by the time the building is ready” LMFAO! I thought the same thing. Scott, you always make me smile.
Would have to agree, the Stampede is always looking for a deal. I could probably start a blog about it.
If the Stampede and Storm cancel their dates for the new EC and play elsewhere, like in a city outdoor ice rink or in a church basement, that will leave even more dates available for really big shows and conventions. Just think of the opportunities for the new EC if no local group, team, or organization needs or can afford the EC. That means 365 free dates to book such great acts like monster trucks, the Muppets on Ice, and Pauly Shore. You other commenters just don’t see the opportunities the Skyforce’s exodus creates for Our Fair City.
I posted this on the AL boards, but…
It seems possible to me that the whole Arena/EC complex could have fewer COMBINED usage dates when it opens in 2014 than the Arena ALONE has now.
Think about that. What a pitiful, unnecessary investment.
That is entirely possible…no, probable. Those Skyforce dates aren’t going to be filled by concerts, that’s for sure. I believe that after the honeymoon first year we’ll actually host fewer shows than we currently see.
Somewhere buried in those EC Updates to the Council is a comment by Director of Finance Tracy Turbak that the Arena, the Convention Center, and the new Events Center will be treated as “one facility”……
instead of the Arena and Convention Center being considered separate as they are today.
Imagine what kind of “creative accounting” is going to go on……….!!!!!
OMG, that’s hilarious. So if the combo of those 3 buildings have 120 events, they’ll claim it was used 1/3 of the time instead of the actual 1/9.
Ever read the fine print on a CC offer from First Premier? Not hilarious. Reality.