Laredo Energy Arena

Laredo Energy Arena
L.E.A
Former names Laredo Entertainment Center (2002–2010)
Location 6700 Arena Boulevard
Laredo, Texas 78041
Coordinates 27°33′29.70″N 99°27′09.66″W / 27.5582500°N 99.4526833°W / 27.5582500; -99.4526833Coordinates: 27°33′29.70″N 99°27′09.66″W / 27.5582500°N 99.4526833°W / 27.5582500; -99.4526833
Owner City of Laredo
Operator SMG
Capacity Hockey: 8,065
Arena Football: 8,067
Basketball: 10,000
Concerts: 11,360
conventions: 10,000
Field size 178,000 square feet (16,500 m2)
Surface Multi-surface
Construction
Broke ground June 2001
Opened September 21, 2002
Construction cost $36,500,000
($48.1 million in 2016 dollars[1])
Architect Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam[2]
General contractor Beers/Reed Construction[2]
Tenants
Laredo Bucks (CHL) (2002–2012)
Laredo Law (af2) (2004)
Laredo Lobos (af2) (2006–2007)
Laredo Rattlesnakes (LSFL) (2012–2013)

The Laredo Energy Arena (known as the Laredo Entertainment Center until March 17, 2010) is a multi-purpose arena, in Laredo, Texas. The Laredo Energy Arena can seat up to 8,065 fans, at an ice hockey game, 8,067, at an arena football game, 10,000, at a basketball game, and 11,360, at concerts. It is located to Bob Bullock Loop 20, on the northeastern side of Laredo. Within the Laredo Energy Arena complex, there are several hotels within a walking distance. The Laredo International Airport is also nearby.[3]

History

The Laredo Energy Arena is a first class, state-of-the-art multipurpose facility developed by Arena Ventures LLC. Entering its Eighth full year of operation the state-of-the-art Laredo Energy Arena has established itself as the premier entertainment option in South Texas and Northern Mexico. This multi-use facility has introduced affordable, family-oriented entertainment to the South Texas and Northern Mexico markets, including major concerts, sporting events, family and ice shows, conventions, trade shows, and civic events.

In 2010, the previously-named Laredo Entertainment Center was renamed the Laredo Energy Arena after Laredo Energy purchased the venue's naming rights. Learn more about Laredo Energy by clicking here.

During the late 1990s, businessman Glenn Hart made frequent business trips to Laredo and consistently took note of the city’s tremendous growth. At the time, area residents had to drive two or more hours to the nearest entertainment facility. So in 1999, Hart and five businessmen formed Arena Ventures – the organization that partnered with the City of Laredo – to build a world-class entertainment facility.

The City of Laredo funded the $36.5 million project through a one-quarter percent sales tax increase that was approved by Laredo voters on August 12, 2000, with the facility’s groundbreaking taking place in June 2001. The facility officially opened its doors in October 2002 and just recently celebrated its 10th year in operation! The economic impact to the local community will exceed $100 million annually and generate hundreds of local jobs.

The facility’s management company, SMG, oversees all aspects of the arena including operations, concessions, scheduling, ticketing, and marketing. SMG is the world’s foremost leader in the private development and management of public assembly facilities, including stadiums, arenas, theaters and exhibition/convention centers. It has been in the management business for nearly 25 years. Today, it manages 168 facilities worldwide.

With 32,000 square feet of continuous open floor space, the LEA has the largest indoor convention space in South Texas. The 178,000 square foot facility boasts a seating capacity of 10,000 with 14 luxury suites, six meeting rooms and a private club. The facility’s luxury suites include concierge service, a television, and seating for twelve to fourteen people, among other amenities. The clubhouse level, which is on the same level as the luxury suites, features a bar overlooking the main floor. The Star Bar—located on the main concourse—has a full bar set in a “celebrity lounge” atmosphere with sofa seating, cable television, today’s music and more.

In the past years events have included: Shakira, Elton John, Julio Iglesias, Cher, WWE, Santana, ZZ Top, Juanes, The Harlem Globetrotters, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice, Sesame Street, Monster Jam and many others. The LEA continues to move forward with exciting entertainment beginning with a five-year run hosting the Miss Texas USA Pageant in June 2004. In January 2005, the best and brightest hockey players will gather for the CHL All-Star game. More than just a building to house events, the LEA has become a true gathering place where members of the community can come for a night of fun and festivities.

The LEA sits on 25 acres at Jacaman Road and Loop 20 – property that Arena Ventures donated to the City of Laredo. Arena Ventures owns 35 additional acres around the site that is currently being developed with hotels and office parks, specialized retail stores and restaurants, and a $1.5 millionwater feature with fountains, a boardwalk and quarter-mile jogging track.

References

  1. ↑ Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Project. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Broughton, David (November 25, 2002). "Laredo Entertainment Center". Sports Business Journal.
  3. ↑ "Technical Information". Laredo Energy Arena. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
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