KALAMAZOO OFFICIALLY BREAKS GROUND ON KALAMAZOO EVENT CENTER
KALAMAZOO, MI – A major new chapter for downtown Kalamazoo began Friday afternoon as community leaders, local officials, partners, and residents gathered for the official groundbreaking of the Kalamazoo Event Center. The ceremony, held on September 26, celebrated the future venue, now in its first phase of construction, and its expected reshaping of the city’s cultural and economic landscape.
The afternoon began with remarks from local leaders, highlighting the vision behind the project and the years of collaboration that made the moment possible. The private ceremony - estimated at 384 - gathered on Water Street to witness the ceremonial first shovels of dirt turned - and the community celebration continued long into the evening outside the Radisson Plaza Hotel and Suites with an estimated 3,000-plus in attendance.
“Two decades in the making, and we’re not building just an arena now,” Greenleaf Companies Chairman Bill Johnston said. “We are building a true community event center, an athletic performance center that happens to have an arena in it, and 30,000 square feet of flat floor space that will be used by the community as well…we traveled all over the country preparing for this and the one thing I reminded everyone is that, ‘these arenas are nice, but we will do better.’”
Kalamazoo Mayor David Anderson was also on hand to speak at the event. Highlighting how important this project is to ensure Kalamazoo continues to grow and prosper.
“For the city of Kalamazoo, from my perspective, this is an amazing, transformational day,” Anderson said. “I don’t want this to be a secret, but I’m fired up. Great cities have great downtowns, and for downtowns to stay great they have to evolve. They need continual reinvestment. What we are recognizing today is not just an investment, but a transformation investment.”
The facility is projected to host over 225 events a year with its main tenants being Western Michigan University’s hockey program, WMU’s Men’s and Women’s basketball programs, and the ECHL’s Kalamazoo Wings (Kalamazoo’s only professional sports team).
"Friday’s ceremonial groundbreaking was a celebration of what this project truly represents—a transformational investment in Western Michigan Athletics and in the city of Kalamazoo,” said WMU Vice President and Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae. “This is more than an arena. It will provide our student-athletes with world-class facilities and performance resources to support their holistic development, while also creating a place for WMU, the City of Kalamazoo and the entire Southwest Michigan community to strategically connect. This project reflects the power of partnership and vision, and we are proud that Bronco Athletics will be at the heart of this new downtown landmark."
K-Wings General Manager and Governor Toni Will echoed Bartholomae’s sentiments.
“This arena will be a place where champions are made on the ice or court - but also where memories are made off it,” Will said. “A place where local businesses thrive, young people see possibilities, and visitors experience the heart and hospitality of our city. As we break ground today, we’re not just constructing a building. We’re laying the foundation for a stronger, more vibrant Kalamazoo - together.”
Please see the Kalamazoo Event Center Flythrough video linked below to experience the future of Kalamazoo for yourself. The video highlights an immersive virtual guest experience and what you can expect to witness once construction is completed.