Fargodome, Fargo, N.D.
Citing a great relationship with the city of Fargo, N.D., Hank Abate, SVP Arenas & Stadiums, Spectra Venue Management, confirmed the management of Fargodome reverts to the city authority Jan. 1 after 10 years of Spectra management. But Spectra Ticketing and Fan Engagement has already signed a five-year extension on its contract and they are currently negotiating an extended and expanded role for Spectra Food and Hospitality.
Rob Sobolik, GM at the Fargodome for Spectra, has seen the venue go through several private management changes and said most of the staff in all cases has stayed the same. Abate confirmed Sobolik and other Spectra employees will most likely make the transition.
“It was a procedural move by the Fargodome Authority and the city commission in their desire to possibly utilize Fargodome management employees at other potential facilities within the city of Fargo or to exercise direct control over Fargodome employees,” Sobolik said. “They decided to just not renew the existing contract with Spectra Venue Management.”
Spectra’s ticketing contract in Fargo renewed in March. Food is being negotiated now the decision not to renew with Venue Management was made two weeks ago.
The city’s desire to exercise direct control over the Fargodome is tied to using those employees in association with other city facilities, Sobolik said.
There is talk of a potential new convention center and of repurposing the Fargo Civic Center. Bob Getz, manager of the civic center, retired in July, Sobolik said. “The city is getting ready to construct a new City Hall which will take up a portion of the existing Fargo Civic Center, the Centennial Hall portion which is their exhibit space. The portion left will be the 2,800-seat auditorium.”
A 2013-14 convention center study recommended an addition of flat floor convention space to Fargodome. The report was filed and further study was recommended. At its Aug.31 meeting, the city board of commissioners also received a report from HVS on repurposing the existing Fargo Civic Center to either remodel it into a performance center or demolish it and build a new performance center.
Sobolik and Abate noted Fargodome is coming off its most successful year ever. Sobolik said it operates on about $4.2 million a year and shows an operating surplus every year. That surplus combined with excess payments from the 20-year, half-cent sales tax that built the venue originally (the tax expired in 2009) is used for maintenance and capital improvements.
The next major improvement will be a large video upgrade, Sobolik revealed. “We’re working with a local architect as well as WJHW out of Dallas. They are just finishing up evaluation of existing equipment and recommendations.”
The dome drew 550,000 people last year and is home to North Dakota State University football, four time FCS Division One champion. It hosts 110 public events annually and is busy 230 days a year – including move ins, move outs, and events booked in the 14,000 sq.-ft. of meeting room space. Fargodome seats 18,700 for football and up to 25,000 for concerts. It also boasts 110,000 sq.-ft. of exhibit space, including the seating bowl and single concourse space.
Sobolik joined Fargodome when it opened in December 1992 as a part timer. It opened with Ogden Entertainment as management and food service company. Sobolik went full time with Ogden food and beverage in March of 1995.
When Aramark bought Ogden in 2001, Fargodome Authority stayed with Aramark for food and management, one of three such buildings in the country. In 2003, Spectra (then known as Global Spectrum) took over management of the venue. Sobolik has been GM since May of 2004.
“Myself and my colleagues here have been through two or three different management transitions at the Fargodome,” said Sobolik. “A large number of our 22 full-time staff has been the same. No position has ever left as a result of a transition.”
Abate is looking at expanding opportunities in terms of Fargo. “The city has openly said the relationship with Spectra has been very good over the last 10 years and will continue in some way, shape or form which is being discussed now.”
The city simply wanted to utilize Fargodome employees in other city entertainment projects, Abate said.
It's not clear what will happen to the downtown Civic Center, but city leaders are considering renovating it into a performing arts center and harnessing the Fargodome staff's expertise to run it.
Interviewed for this story: Rob Sobolik, (701) 241-9100; Hank Abate, (215) 389-9468