Ch-Ch-Ch Changes

After 3 weeks of sawing, jackhammering, digging, lifting and hauling, the old ice floor at the Verizon Wireless Center has been removed.  Soon, the installation of the new floor, and a state of the art and more effient ice system will take it's place.

 

In addition, we will be getting all new 100 level risers to frame the slightly smaller 90 X 200 sheet of ice.  The new size will be a hybrid of the former olympic size and the even smaller NHL size.

 

 

After the new concrete is in, it will need about a month to cure.  And then it's game on...the first hockey game is October 5, and it sounds like we might even sneak a concert in before that!

 

On Friday, the Minnesota music scene took a hit with the loss of the amazing Sue McLean.  As a promoter and talent buyer, Sue's main focus was events and venues in the Twin Cities, like the Minnesota Zoo Concert Series, the Basilica Block Party and the Guthrie Theater. 

Locally, Sue was behind some of the greatest musical moments that I have been fortunate to be a part of.  Like Lyle Lovett bringing Sounds of Blackness down from the Twin Cities to share the stage with him.  Or the magical Alison Krauss and Union Station.  Or Brandi Carlile's emotional first time playing a hockey arena.  Or some of the brilliant Riverfront Park shows like John Hiatt, Lucinda Williams and the Jayhawks.  Acts that were left of the dial, and provided some great diversity to Mankato and the Civic Center programming.

Personally, she taught me so much about this business.  How to write an offer and talk to agents and be taken seriously.  The ins and outs of advertising concerts in the Twin Cities.  And hopefully, following her example on how to treat people with grace and kindness.  She was always available to indulge my ridiculous ideas and stupid questions, and every conversation was peppered with laughs.  She was a business partner, a mentor, but best of all, she was a friend.

Thank you for everything, Sue.  I will miss you dearly...
EJ

Here is a link to a great story the Star Tribune featured on Sue last July.

From Arrows to Cues in a Blink of a Bullseye

Last weekend the Verizon Wireless Center hosted the C & N Sales Dart Tournament. Thousands of participants and guests attended the 25th annual tournament that ran Friday, April 12 through Sunday, April 14. The Verizon Wireless Center has been home to the dart tournament the last 16 years. 

On Monday, 128 dart boards were taken out of the arena and by Tuesday pool tables were being hauled in. A total of 93 pool tables were delivered to the Verizon Wireless Center for this weekend's C & N Sales Pool Tournament. The pool tournament has been played at the Verizon Wireless Center for 18 years. The dart and pool tournaments are not always scheduled back-to-back, 2009 was the last time both tournaments occurred within the same week. Typically the dart tournament is scheduled in March and pool in April. 

The C & N Sales Pool Tournament will kick off Friday, April 19, and they will finish up on Sunday, April 21. Over one thousand people participate in the tournament each year. Best of luck to everyone participating this weekend! 

 

 

 

We love it when a plan comes together!

 

Over a year ago, the Mankato Area Derby (M.A.D.) Girls came to us looking to bring some hard-hitting roller derby to Mankato.  After many meetings together to plan the event, a date was picked and tickets went on sale.  With a new event - especially the kind that has never played in Mankato before - you never know quite what to expect.  The goal was to sell 500 tickets, which would cover expenses and give the Girls some good momentum going into future bouts.

 

They sold 1,670 tickets.

 

It was an overwhelming success, and we can't wait until the next bout on May 4.  Tickets will be on sale soon!

 

And check out this great re-cap from Jim Rueda at the Mankato Free Press!

 

 

 



 

 

 

ROLLER DERBY ERA BEGINS IN MANKATO!

 

We're kind of psyched about this one...

 

After months of preparation, the Mankato Area Derby (M.A.D.) Girls are ready to bring the pain to the Verizon Center this Saturday night.  They will be skating against the Goosetown Roller Girls - the rookie team from New Ulm - and it is sure to be an exciting and tough match.

 

The Girls have been tirelessly training and working non-stop to promote this fun new venture.  And they have become pretty good ambassadors for Mankato in the process!

Don't miss their inaugural VWC performance, something that is sure to be talked about for weeks to come.

 

Doors open at 6, with the Minneapolis band Is/Is kicking things off.  Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 day of show, and kids 10 and under get in FREE!  There are a limited number of track side seats available for $15, however you must be over 18 due to the possibility of having derby girl fall in your lap!

 

And if you do catch a Derby Girl, please throw her back!



Hockey wraps up and ice is OUT

We had an exciting weekend at the Verizon Center with the Mavericks winning the first and third games in the first round of WCHA hockey playoffs to send them to the Final Five tournament. Sunday night the lights were turned off and the heat was turned up in the arena. The ice floor started to melt and less than 24 hours after the last skater was off the rink, the ice was gone.

Monday morning the staff at the Verizon Wireless Center was busy clearing the ice. Some of the logos under the ice are decals that had to be pulled up using a hose and salt to help melt the ice. Other logos and the lines on the floor are painted on. A skid-steer loader is used to break up and push the ice out. Once all the ice is melted or broken up, the Zamboni pushes the ice outside of the building. After the arena floor is clear of ice, the floor is scrubbed clean.

 

Today they are already marking the floor for the Southern Minnesota Home & Builders Show that begins on Friday. There’s never a dull moment at the Verizon Center! 

Overture, Curtain, Lights!

This is it, Maverick Hockey Fans.  Home ice for the playoffs.  With a MSU Maverick hockey team that is among the best in the nation!

The ice is ready, the team is ready, and the staff at the Verizon Center is so excited - not just for an MSU victory, but to be at ground zero for an exciting weekend with players and fans alike.

Tickets are still available.  Make sure to scream "OLE!" extra loud!