Those attending Disney on Ice: Let’s Celebrate this weekend at the Tucson Convention Center (TCC) are in for a pleasurable surprise. Members of Tucson’s media got a preview on Thursday of the newly-renovated TCC Arena, which is about 80% finished now.
The water stained ceiling tiles and ugly ductwork are gone! Comfortable new padded seating, complete with cup holders on 4,923 seats are in place. The arena has fresh paint with an exciting new color palette, 14 new washrooms, backstage upper baloney, five new concessions, when there used to be four, serving southwest style quick food off digital menu boards. Sonoran Hot Dog portable carts are promised too.
The WOW factor is there when coming through the doors of the arena, and that’s exactly what the Rio Nuevo board wanted when funding $7.8 million for the renovation. The City also pitched in another $1 million for plumbing and infrastructure work to the project.
The exterior renovations that involve a new entrance and signage changes around the ticket office at the eastside entrance are still works in progress, but on schedule and under budget for Christmas delivery, we’re told. The breezeway will be enclosed allowing more space for concessions before it’s finished.
The scoreboards hanging from the ceiling will soon be replaced by 6mm, 15’ x 26’ hi-def scoreboards on the wall, with two new show power upgrades, a 200 amp and 400 amp switch panel and a new state-of-the-art sound system that awaits concert- goers to the Beach Boys’ concert on January 3rd, the official opening.
There’s no more fluorescent lighting, replaced by all new efficient lighting that should bring a TEP rebate.
As we’ve all heard, ‘it’s all in the details’ and the details of this project have been led by Elaine Becherer, Rio Nuevo project manager and Concord General Contracting, the General Contractor. From the unique recycled TCC escalator treads with backlighting now in all the washrooms, stunning stained concrete epoxy flooring and the entry doors waiting to be refaced for reuse at the Leo Rich building, there didn’t seem to be any details forgotten. Nothing but a well thought-out and executed plan that when details are combined add-up to an arena renovation that should make all Tucsonans celebrate.
The new private management company, SMG - Worldwide Entertainment and Convention Venue Management has just taken over the management of the arena and will begin providing new food service items and operating the new concessions during the Disney On Ice run. Disney on Ice: Let’s Celebrate runs from Thursday through Sunday at the TCC. Tickets can be purchased at the TCC Box Office or online via Ticketmaster. See the links below.
Buy tickets online from Ticketmaster: https://bit.ly/VTKJT0
Tucson Convention Center: https://1.usa.gov/1kJJBs2