By Jimmy Nesbitt, Evansville Courier & Press
A Downtown arena significantly would increase annual direct spending in Evansville, a boon that would be even greater with a professional hockey team as the facility's primary tenant.
That's the conclusion of an economic impact study presented at Tuesday's Roberts Stadium Advisory Board meeting.
Direct spending would increase $5.6 million, with the new arena creating an additional 230 jobs with an additional $3 million in personal earnings.
Those numbers are increases over the historical financial operations at Roberts Stadium. Direct spending includes in-facility sources such as arena rentals and concessions and out-of-facility expenditures on items such as hotels, food and beverages and entertainment.
That financial gain also hinges on Evansville attracting a minor-league hockey team, one that would have 38 home dates with an average attendance of 3,500 per game. The study assumes the hockey team would be the main tenant, with the University of Evansville men's and women's basketball teams having the second most dates with 30.
The president of the International Hockey League has said he strongly would consider starting a franchise in Evansville if the city had an arena with an ice floor.
But whether a minor-league hockey team would have sustained success here is unknown.
The hockey league has a team in Fort Wayne, Ind., the Komets, the league's oldest and most successful franchise. The closest team to Evansville is in Bloomington, Ill., about 250 miles to the north.
Advisory Board member Dennis Avery, a state representative, said he didn't know how a hockey team would fare in Evansville, given that the city never has had a professional team.
"I don't think we'd do as well as basketball," he said.
Board President Wayne Henning said he didn't know enough about the sport to make a prediction, but he was optimistic given the success Fort Wayne has had.
If a hockey team is removed from the equation, Evansville still is predicted to experience an increase in direct spending, but the numbers drop, with $3.5 million less direct spending, 120 fewer jobs and $1.7 million less in personal earnings.
State and county tax collections also are predicted to increase as a result of the arena.
Spending boost seen
The study predicted Evansville would see a one-time boost in direct spending because of the construction of the arena. This would result in $46.1 million in direct spending for local construction, creating 670 jobs with earnings of $30.4 million.
The study was conducted by Convention Sports & Leisure, a Wayzata, Minn., sports consulting company. Project Manager Wes Johnson said the numbers in the study were conservative estimates.
"The information in this report is based on estimates, assumptions and other information developed from research of the market, knowledge of the public assembly facility industry and other factors. ..." the consulting company said in a letter to the Evansville Regional Business Committee.
A new arena would provide more than just a financial boost to the city, the study concluded. It would improve the quality of life, community pride, spur economic development, draw new and more attractive events to Evansville and create advertising opportunities.
"While it is clear that these benefits have significant value, many of the benefits are difficult to quantify," according to the study.
Detractors of the project dismiss the notion that an arena will spur further economic development. And it's been a topic of debate during some of the previous board meetings.
The city already appears to have at least one business on board, with Indianapolis developer Browning Investments, which has expressed interest in building a hotel that would be connected to a Downtown arena.