Video shows sports was part of downtown arena conversation
El Paso city officials maintain the multi-purpose performing arts and entertainment center was never meant to be a sports arena, but there was some sports talk early on.
At a special City Council meeting in January 2015, a company called Conventions, Sports and Leisure International presented then Mayor Oscar Leeser and council representatives the results of a feasibility study on what it would take to make a downtown arena profitable.
Council representatives and the mayor were given a overview of what the arena could be used for and sports was definitely in the picture.
The company looked at market sizes similar to El Paso and at seven other comparable venues. But all them held sporting events.
On average, tenant events at the venues made up 38 percent while other sporting events accounted for 11 percent. That’s nearly 50 percent of all of the events held.
The city of El Paso is still trying to make sense of a judge’s ruling that allows the city to move forward with the
downtown arena project — with the condition the arena is not used for any sporting events.
During the January 2015 special City Council meeting sports was definitely a part of the conversation.
Then Rep. Carl Robinson questioned staff about the potential for sports at the downtown arena.
“We build this arena here in El Paso, as far as having basketball games, college games and tournaments at our facility versus UTEP? ” Robinson asked.
City manager Tommy Gonzalez answered the question.
“I think that was another factor that was considered with regard to this arena. Obviously there are other types of events like D league basketball that could be another opportunity in terms of an anchor tenant,” Gonzalez said.
So can a downtown arena survive without sports? ABC 7 asked NMSU’s Barbara Hubbard. She’s a legend in the industry known for bringing major acts to the Pan American Center.
“You stop and think, there’s not a league other than the sports area that I know, could be a constant. I just don’t see it unless they can do it with it,” Hubbard said.
