Laredo Energy Arena

Last updated
Sames Auto Arena
Sames Auto Arena
Laredo Entertainment Center, Laredo, TX IMG 2019.JPG
Former names Laredo Entertainment Center (2002–2010)
Laredo Energy Arena (2010–2018)
Location 6700 Arena Boulevard
Laredo, Texas 78041
Coordinates 27°33′29.70″N99°27′09.66″W / 27.5582500°N 99.4526833°W / 27.5582500; -99.4526833 Coordinates: 27°33′29.70″N99°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
($49.7 million in 2017 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)
Laredo Bucks (USACHL) (2018–present)

The Sames Auto Arena (formerly known as the Laredo Entertainment Center and Laredo Eenrgy Arena) is a multi-purpose arena, in Laredo, Texas. The Sames Auto 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 Sames Auto Arena complex, there are several hotels within a walking distance. The Laredo International Airport is also nearby. [3]

Arena enclosed area designed to showcase theater, musical performances, or sporting events

An arena is an enclosed area, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theatre, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators, and may be covered by a roof. The key feature of an arena is that the event space is the lowest point, allowing maximum visibility. Arenas are usually designed to accommodate a large number of spectators.

Laredo, Texas City in Texas, United States

Laredo is a city in and the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, on the north bank of the Rio Grande in South Texas, across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Laredo has the distinction of flying seven flags. Founded in 1755, Laredo grew from a village to the capital of the brief Republic of the Rio Grande to the largest inland port on the Mexico–United States border. Laredo's economy is based on international trade with Mexico. Many major transportation companies have a facility in Laredo. The city is on the southern end of I-35 which makes it close to the manufacturers in northern Mexico. It has four international bridges and one railway bridge.

Laredo International Airport

Laredo International Airport is three miles northeast of downtown Laredo, in Webb County, Texas.

Contents

History

The Sames Auto 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. Eight years later, Sames Auto Group purchased the naming rights to the arena and the venue is now known as the Sames Auto Arena.

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 Sames Auto Arena 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.

Seating capacity number of people who can be seated in a specific space, in terms of both the physical space available, and limitations set by law

Seating capacity is the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, in terms of both the physical space available, and limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats hundreds of thousands of people. The largest sporting venue in the world, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, has a permanent seating capacity for more than 235,000 people and infield seating that raises capacity to an approximate 400,000.

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 Sames Auto Arena 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 Sames Auto Arena has become a true gathering place where members of the community can come for a night of fun and festivities.

Shakira Colombian singer

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is a Colombian singer, songwriter, dancer, businesswoman, and philanthropist. Born and raised in Barranquilla, her first studio albums, Magia and Peligro, failed to attain commercial success in the 1990s; however, she rose to prominence in Latin America with her major-label debut, Pies Descalzos (1996), and her fourth album, Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998). According to Billboard, she has sold over 10 million albums in Latin America alone by 2001.

Elton John English rock singer-songwriter, composer and pianist

Sir Elton Hercules John is an English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer. He has worked with lyricist Bernie Taupin as his songwriting partner since 1967; they have collaborated on more than 30 albums. John has sold more than 300 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world. He has more than fifty Top 40 hits, including seven consecutive number-one albums in the United States, 58 Billboard Top 40 singles, 27 Top 10 singles, four which reached number two and nine which reached number one. His tribute single "Candle in the Wind 1997", rewritten in dedication to Diana, Princess of Wales, sold over 33 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling single in the history of the UK and US singles charts. He has also composed music, produced records, and has occasionally acted in films. John owned Watford F.C. from 1976 to 1987, and 1997 to 2002. He is an honorary Life President of the club, and in 2014 had a stand named after him at the club's home stadium.

Julio Iglesias Spanish singer-songwriter

Julio José Iglesias de la Cueva is a Spanish singer, songwriter and former professional footballer.

The Sames Auto Arena 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.

Ricardo Arjona Guatemalan singer-songwriter

Edgar R. Arjona Morales, known as Ricardo Arjona, is a Guatemalan singer-songwriter. Arjona is one of the most successful Latin American artists of all time, with more than 80 million albums sold. He is often called El Animal Nocturno, thanks to his breakthrough success with his fourth studio album which bears the same name. His music ranges from ballads to Latin pop, rock, pop rock, Cuban music, and more recently a cappella performances and a mixture of Tejano music and Norteño music, and other Afro-American and Latin sounds. Arjona is noted for his lyrical style, and often addresses topics such as love, sexuality, violence, racism and immigration.

John B. Alexander High School High school in Texas, USA

John B. Alexander High School is a secondary school in Laredo, Texas, United States and a part of the United Independent School District. The mascot for Alexander High School is a Bulldog. The high school was established in 1994 to alleviate overcrowding at United High School in northern sector of Laredo. Freshman students have been placed in a newly constructed building located on 4601 Victory Dr. to combat overcrowding.

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References

  1. ↑ Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Project. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  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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