The Roberts Stadium Advisory Board recommended building an arena Downtown, but did not settle on a specific seating capacity.
The board concluded the arena should have between 9,000 and 11,000 seats. They disagreed on the number of seats before settling on a range.
Some members at Tuesday's final board meeting backed the recommendation made in the report by Gateway Consultants, which said the arena should have 8,600 fixed seats with a 10,000-seat capacity.
"I'm not too keen on the 11,000 (capacity)," said Board member Dennis Avery. "We're talking tens of millions of dollars in additional costs. I think we can build with an eye on the future, providing for expandable opportunities."
Gateway's report said that a 10,000-seat arena built Downtown would cost around $92 million. It did not estimate the cost of an 11,000-seat arena. The consulting firm had explored the possibility of a 14,000-seat arena, which it estimated would cost $166.9 million and need a much larger space than an arena with 10,000 seats. That option was determined to be too costly.
Board President Wayne Henning said he also thought a 10,000-seat capacity was adequate. Henning said he talked with officials from SMG, which manages Roberts Stadium, and they said having an extra 1,000 seats may allow them to attract an extra show.
Henning said whatever the capacity is, the seats should be comfortable. The seats at Roberts Stadium were shrunk by three inches when it was renovated and are uncomfortable for larger people, Henning said.
Board member Steve Bagbey said the new arena should have at least 11,000 seats. Bagbey said the city needs to build for the future and use the arena to attract sports such as indoor soccer and regional high school football events.
"There is no reason why this city ... could not be a regional capital for amateur sports, collegiate sports and entertainment," he said.
The board agreed that whatever the city decides to build, it should stay within a cost range that would not require a countywide property tax, a stipulation that has been echoed by Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel.
The board also recommended the city:
Assure that the funding sources listed by Gateway are viable. The report listed $111.25 million in possible funding sources for a Downtown arena. The board also said the city should seek additional funding sources. The total from all sources should exceed the cost of the arena.
Confirm a new arena could fetch $14 million for naming rights. The board advised the city to gauge support from regional businesses for naming rights and contributions such as leasing a suite for several years.
Hire experts to prepare financial projections over a multiyear period that assess the viability of the new arena over the long term without negatively affecting property taxes.
Identify the best use for Roberts Stadium. Gateway suggested the city consider turning it into a water park. The board did not recommend a specific use.
Confirm that appropriate land could be bought at an affordable price.
The board, like the report from Gateway, did not recommend a specific site for a new arena. Gateway has identified eight potential Downtown sites. Board member Bill Nix, a county commissioner, said a new arena should be built in a location that would boost business at The Centre, increasing its potential to attract more conventions.
The loss of taxable revenue from acquiring a Downtown site also should be considered, said Joe Kiefer, a board member and former city councilman. Some of the sites Gateway identified Downtown would cost several million dollars, according to their assessed values. Kiefer said that market rates for the property would be higher than assessed values.
The recommendations will be presented to the mayor's office. Henning likely will meet with Weinzapfel in the next two weeks to discuss them. The decision whether to replace Roberts Stadium ultimately will be up to the mayor and City Council. Weinzapfel has not presented a timetable for a decision.