Scheels Arena Explained

Stadium Name:Scheels Arena
Pushpin Relief:1
Pushpin Label:Scheels Arena
Former Names:Urban Plains Center (2008 - 2010)
Location:5225 South 31st Ave
Fargo, ND 58104
Broke Ground:June 27, 2007
Opened:October 30, 2008[1]
Owner:Metro Sports Foundation
Operator:Metro Sports Foundation
Surface:Multi-surface
Construction Cost:$25 million
($ in dollars)
Architect:ICON Architectural Group
Structural Engineer:Sandman & Associates Consulting, PC[2]
Project Manager:Gehrtz Construction Services[3]
General Contractor:Olaf Anderson & Son Construction, Inc.[4]
Tenants:Fargo Force (USHL) (2008–present)
North Dakota State Bison men's basketball (NCAA) (2014–2016)
Seating Capacity:6,000 (Basketball)
5,000 (Ice Hockey)

Scheels Arena (formerly called The Urban Plains Center, or UPC) is a multi-purpose venue located in Fargo, North Dakota. It is part of the Sanford Health Athletic Park which comprises the arena, the Family Wellness Center (a partnership between Sanford Health and the YMCA), and the Sanford POWER Athletic Center. There are plans to add four additional ice sheets.

History

The Urban Plains Center was constructed and opened in 2008. Before opening, the concrete foundation of the Arena was vandalized causing roughly $500,000 worth of damage and leading to 3 criminal arrests.[5] It was renamed in 2010 after Scheels All Sports purchased the naming rights. The arena seats up to 6,000 for concerts, over 5,000 for ice hockey, and it holds 40 suites and 300 club seats. It features an NHL-sized ice sheet. The main tenant of the arena is the Fargo Force, who play in the United States Hockey League.

Events

Other arena events have included Fargo-Moorhead high school hockey, the 2009 IIHF World U18 Championships, the 2011 US Curling Nationals for both men and women, the 2014 United States Olympic Curling Trials, the 2015 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament West Regional, rodeos, and concerts.

The North Dakota State Bison men's basketball team played their home games at Scheels Arena for the 2014–15 and 2015–16 seasons while their previous arena, the Bison Sports Arena, was being remodeled.[6]

In February 2016 the Arena hosted the funeral of slain Fargo Police Officer Jason David Moszer.[7] An estimated 3,600 people were in attendance with an estimated 2,800 being law enforcement.[8]

In June 2018 President Donald Trump held a rally at the Scheels Arena where he campaigned on behalf of Kevin Cramer and Kelly Armstrong.[9] Trump spoke to an arena filled to capacity (6000 people) with supporters and protesters outside of the arena.[10]

Concerts

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Report: Officials' Private e-mails Hid Hockey Talk. Bismarck Tribune. October 19, 2008.
  2. Web site: Scheels Arena. Entertainment. Sandman & Associates Consulting, PC. November 22, 2011.
  3. Web site: Urban Plains Center - Fargo, ND. Gehrtz Construction Services. January 2, 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110503050734/http://www.gehrtzconstructionservices.com/gallery/comm/urban_plains.php. May 3, 2011.
  4. Web site: Olaf Update. April 2008. Athletic. Olaf Anderson & Son Construction. November 22, 2011.
  5. Web site: Fargo police make third arrest in vandalism to Urban Plains Center. 25 April 2008.
  6. http://www.gobison.com/news/2014/5/14/MBB_0514145944.aspx News
  7. Web site: Officer Jason Moszer Obituary . www.valleynewslive.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160218091412/http://www.valleynewslive.com/home/headlines/Officer-Jason-Moszer-Obituary-369096491.html . 2016-02-18.
  8. Web site: Funeral for Officer Jason Moszer a powerful experience . www.valleynewslive.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160224093320/http://www.valleynewslive.com/home/headlines/Funeral-for-Officer-Jason-Moszer-a-powerful-experience-369736021.html . 2016-02-24.
  9. Web site: One year ago today, it was all about Trump in Fargo. 27 June 2019.
  10. Web site: Photo Gallery: President Donald Trump rallies in Fargo. 28 June 2018.