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All systems go for Event Center opening

By Kim Nguyen

Published: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 11:40 PM CDT

knguyen@acnpapers.com

Two years' worth of planning and developing will finally culminate Nov. 4 as members of the Allen City Council and city staff cut the ribbon and welcome residents into the new Allen Event Center, located at 200 E. Stacy Road.

The ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. will signify the beginning of an open house for visitors that ends at 5 p.m. The open house will include an opportunity to scout out seats and get a sneak peek at the Allen Americans as they practice on ice. Areas of the center, such as the luxury suites, back stage and dressing rooms, will be open for viewing as well. These areas are normally closed to the public.

"It's an exciting time in Allen," said Mayor Stephen Terrell. "We are seeing the result of years of strategic planning that included setting Allen apart in the North Texas region as the place to be."

City Manager Peter Vargas agreed.

"I think it's a fantastic thing and one of the most important events in the history of Allen," he said. "Quite frankly, it stands above all others, and when you can point to one particular accomplishment as the highlight, it really says a lot about the community."

Vargas said Allen has maintained a steady pattern of growth, helping bolster community support for the center.

"We were introduced to it in February 2007 and since then we've seen it grow from an idea into a concept into an agreement and into a contract," he said. "It's been a real team effort and I am proud of the relationships and partnerships we've formed in order to get this done. It's a huge city achievement to have pulled it all together."

The Allen Event Center is a 188,000-square-foot multipurpose facility that features two sheets of ice and 6,225 fixed seats with the capacity to seat up to 8,600 for non-ice events. The center will serve as a home to concerts, trade shows, professional sporting events and the Allen Americans, the Dallas Stars Affiliate Central Hockey League (CHL) team.

"We get to open our premier event center with a winning hockey team and a Reba McEntire concert," Terrell said. "Combine this with the extras of free parking and a community ice rink, and we have met our goal to become a regional entertainment destination for families."

In addition, the event center will be fully operational with concessionaires open for business. Event and hockey tickets will be available for purchase either at the facility's permanent ticket office or at the temporary box office located at The Grove inside The Village at Allen.

The open house preview extends to the community ice rink. With a second full sheet of ice, general seating for 300 spectators and party rooms, the rink will offer programs such as learn-to-skate, recreational and competitive hockey and figure skating. The rink will offer a place for group activities such as youth, church and corporate events, private parties and other uses.

"One of the keys to the success of the Allen Event Center will be its ability to become part of our community," Vargas said. "The community ice rink provides a new recreational venue for Allen-area residents to enjoy for years to come."

The open house will offer a grand-opening concert performance by country singer Reba McEntire on Nov. 6. She will perform hits from her latest top-selling album, Keep on Loving You, including "Strange," the debut single that was the fastest-rising chart debut of her career.

With a quick turnaround of the arena's flexible seat formation, event staff and spectators will be set and ready for the Allen Americans' home opener against the Corpus Christi IceRays on Nov. 7. The Allen Americans will play in more than 30 scheduled regular season home games from November through March.

Additional information about upcoming concerts and tickets is available online at AllenEventCenter.com. For details about the community ice rink, go to allenacademyofskating.com. Visit allenamericans.com for season ticket information and team news for the Allen Americans CHL home team.

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