Leadership / 10.26.21
Climate Pledge Arena: A New Era Arrives
Access Staff
VenuesNow (10/20/21) Muret, Don
Oak View Group (OVG) has transformed what was the Washington State Pavilion in Seattle into the recently opened, cutting-edge Climate Pledge Arena, designed as the first certified carbon-neutral sports facility. Its budget topped $1 billion because of the complexity of the development, and OVG's desire to upgrade the National Hockey League venue with new design features. OVG funded the arena's development, but the city is partnering with OVG to redevelop the 74-acre Seattle Center campus, which boasts numerous entertainment venues and the iconic Space Needle observation tower. "If we all do better, not only does [the city's] revenue pie grow, but we grow as well and it goes back into the economics of the building, to create additional revenue streams that help us with the privatization of the arena," said OVG CEO Tim Leiweke. Climate Pledge Arena is entirely new apart from the roof, which is designated a historic landmark. The venue houses slightly more than 17,000 for both hockey and end-stage concerts, and the developers excavated 60 feet below grade to build the new arena under the existing roof. The artist's compound has extensive amenities including private offices, showers, dressing rooms, a lounge and the Amazon Recording Studio, where acts can record new music, stream it online, talk to fans or simply hang out, Leiweke said. The arena's Don Graham said OVG officials are preparing for a bubble format to protect touring productions during the pandemic, while the venue will also feature an innovative videoboard design with triangle-shaped structures overhanging both goals.
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