Baton Rouge (La.) River Center lights up the night.
From an overhaul of seating to facelifts to new scoreboards, a number of the South’s top venues have been earmarked for updates and renovations this year.
In 2016, Cajundome & Convention Center’s seating, bowl area and concessions will undergo a $16 million overhaul. Impovements to the Lafayette, La., venue will be financed by the city’s hotel/motel tax.
“We’re still in the design phase, but plan to add more seats to keep our competitive edge,” said Pam DeVille, Cajundome assistant director.
Although the convention center will remain open during construction, the Cajundome will be closed for about five months.
Louisiana’s Baton Rouge RiverCenter is starting a multi-million dollar capital improvement project that will encompass its performing arts center, ballroom and exhibition hall.
Although the details and cost have not yet been finalized, the first phase of construction is expected to start before the end of the year.
“Financing is being finalized between the Parish of East Baton Rouge, SMG and other entities,” said Michael Day, general manager. “The focus of the improvements will be on the concourse, backstage areas, restrooms and food and beverage.”
Bossier City, La., has approved funding for a new center hung scoreboard at CenturyLink Center that is geared to help expand the venue’s event hosting capabilities.
“It will give us an incredible leg up over the existing board and older matrix panels that are original to the 15-year-old facility,” said Jake Wood, director of sales and marketing. “We hope this will bring the center into a second honeymoon period to attract more events that utilize these assets.”
In the last year, New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center received $56 million in upgrades to its exterior, lighting, signage and box office. Of that amount, $6 million came from the Louisiana Stadium & Exposition District and the state covered the rest.
“These changes have created a greater impact for shows and helped improve our customers’ experiences,” said Ellen Shacklock, event marketing and media coordinator.
BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, Miss., underwent a $1.8 million facelift last year that included updating the exterior and painting the interior. It was financed by the arena’s $2.5 million capital fund.