Rio Rancho Events Center is an 8,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, a city located near Albuquerque. The arena is located near the intersection of Unser Boulevard and Paseo del Volcan. It is part of a larger "City Center" project, which also includes a new city hall. The multipurpose facility can host concert settings in various capacities, hockey, basketball, indoor football, family shows, rodeos, trade shows and flexible set-ups to accommodate any event.
 Rio Rancho Events Center at night | |
 | |
| Former names | Santa Ana Star Center (2006-2020) |
|---|---|
| Location | 3001 Civic Center Drive Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87144 |
| Coordinates | 35°18′37.05″N 106°41′8.98″W / 35.3102917°N 106.6858278°W |
| Owner | City of Rio Rancho |
| Operator | Global Spectrum |
| Capacity | Ice Hockey: 6,000 Rodeos: 6,000 Concerts: 7,500 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | June 14, 2005[1] |
| Opened | October 21, 2006 |
| Construction cost | $47 million USD ($71 million in 2023 dollars[2]) |
| Architect | Sink Combs Dethlefs[3] |
| Project manager | Frew Nations Group[4] |
| Structural engineer | Martin & Martin[3] |
| General contractor | Hunt/Bradbury Stamm[3] |
| Tenants | |
| New Mexico Scorpions (CHL) (2006–2009) New Mexico Wildcats (AIFA) (2008–2009) New Mexico Mustangs (NAHL) (2010–2012) New Mexico Thunderbirds (NBA D-League) (2010–2011) New Mexico Stars (IFL/LSFL/AIF) (2012–2014, 2016) New Mexico Runners (M2) (2018–present) Duke City Gladiators (IFL) (2021–present) | |
| Website | |
| www | |
Santa Ana Star Casino purchased the naming rights to the arena in a five-year, $2.5 million deal signed in July 2006.[1] The arena was previously known as Santa Ana Star Center. The contract was not renewed in 2020, resulting in the arena changing its name back to Rio Rancho Events Center.
The arena was completed at a cost of $47 million USD and opened on October 21, 2006.[2] The first sports event in the arena was a hockey game on October 27, 2006, with the New Mexico Scorpions falling to the Arizona Sundogs 3–1 in front of a sellout crowd.[3]
In April 2009, the city of Rio Rancho awarded Global Spectrum as the management company for the Arena. In 2019, that contract was renewed.
The Events Center is currently home to the New Mexico Runners of the Major Arena Soccer League 2 and the Duke City Gladiators of the Indoor Football League. The center was formerly home to the New Mexico Mustangs of the North American Hockey League, the New Mexico Scorpions of the Central Hockey League, the New Mexico Stars of the Indoor Football League/Lone Star Football League, the New Mexico Wildcats of the American Indoor Football Association, New Mexico Thunderbirds, of the NBA Development League, and a venue for World Wrestling Entertainment. The arena also hosted a campaign rally for President Donald Trump on September 16, 2019.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Groundbreaking Ceremony Set for June 14". 10 June 2005.
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c Neal Singer (November 1, 2006). "Feature Story - November 2006 Sporting & Events Center". Southwest Construction. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
- ^ http://www.frewnations.com/projects/santa-ana-star-event-center
- ^ "Trump rallies in New Mexico in hopes of turning state red in 2020". CBS News. 17 September 2019.