Sports Arena for Porter County

[wh]

Interesting article in the NWI Times about a $115 Million sports/entertainment arena in the preliminary planning stage for somewhere in Porter County.  Also interesting that the guy spearheading it is a VU alum.

Group proposes sports/entertainment arena for Porter County
2

10 hours ago  •  Joyce Russell joyce.russell@nwi.com, (219) 762-1397, ext. 2222

CHESTERTON | Paul Boardman believes Porter County would be the ideal location for a state-of-the-art arena to host sporting and entertainment events.

Boardman, the CEO of IG Company,  founded Duneland Family Sports and Entertainment, a division of Duneland Sports Authority, a year ago. The nonprofit, Boardman said, has been looking at the feasibility of constructing and professionally operating a privately funded multi-purpose sports and entertainment venue.

"It goes back to my senior year in 1983 as a business major at Valparaiso University. I am passionate about economic development and I've actually been thinking about ways to help our economy," said the LaPorte native.

The demographics say Porter County is the perfect place for such a venue. There is no such arena serving the 800,000 residents of Northwest Indiana, Boardman said. The closest facilities are in Chicago and South Bend.

Boardman said he envisions a state-of-the-art facility that will be LEED platinum certified, not only generating its own power, but generating excess power giving a zero-plus effect on the environment. It would contract with local vendors and retain financial resources and revenue in the community.

While Boardman issued a press release Tuesday on the proposal, when contacted, he did not release specific details. He said the arena would be located in Porter County and a site plan is being developed. He would not give the names of any others working with him on the project or investing in the arena, nor would he estimate an exact time frame for the construction of the facility.

Boardman said that information would be "forthcoming." He said it would take 12 months to complete architectural drawings.

"I started spearheading this nine months ago," he said. "I am passionate about it. It will provide quality entertainment."

Boardman did estimate the project would be a $115 million investment in the region and would provide 250 immediate jobs and 1,500 long-term jobs.

Lorelei Weimer, executive director of Indiana Dunes Tourism, said she has met with Boardman.

"To know there is a plan for a private arena that would be privately funded is exciting," she said.

[wh]

Here is the entire press release with far more information than the Times article:


September 3, 2013

News Release

CHESTERTON, Ind. - Duneland Family Sports and Entertainment, a division of Duneland Sports Authority, an Indiana non-profit Corporation, has positively concluded a six month feasibility study entitled Game ON! DSA aims to construct and professionally operate a multi-purpose sports and entertainment venue in Northwest Indiana, Porter County, currently entitled Duneland Arena. Duneland Family Sports and Entertainment was established in 2012 to determine the feasibility of constructing and successfully operating a multi-purpose professionally managed state of the art LEED platinum toward net-plus family friendly multi-purpose entertainment and sports venue. This project is led, owned and operated by non-profit Duneland Family Sports and Entertainment. DSA's mission is to: Build and operate a multi-purpose venue that is LEED platinum toward net-plus, sustainable, green, ethical and transparent. Provide family-friendly entertainment and sports to Northwest Indiana and greater Chicagoland.

Some features will include: Contract with local venders and retain financial resources and revenues in the community. Source personnel locally through educational career conduits. Source concessions with a local supply-chain. Support local sports initiatives with revenues above operating costs. Headquartered in Chesterton, Indiana, DSA is led by Founder and Chairman Paul Boardman. Together with a consortium of local, state and national interested parties, DSA will closely coordinate regarding key strategic decisions on capital partnerships, target markets, and new projects.

"Duneland Arena will be the first arena to achieve LEED platinum certification. LEED platinum is a good starting goal. We will push the design envelope toward net-plus closing the gap of hypothetical to commercialization. Duneland Arena, a state of the art LEED platinum-net plus facility, will be a landmark destination economic catalyst estimated to create 250 immediate jobs and 1,500 long-term jobs. Game ON! is in line with Northwest Indiana's 2030 economic and quality of life initiative goals to create a global model high output green manufacturing and high quality of life Northwest Indiana community," said Mr. Boardman.

DSA combines its breath of talent and background and will seek private capital for Duneland Arena. DSA's initiative will foster additional development and investment opportunities for investment partners. DSA is combining strengths to allow partnerships with a consortium of Northwest Indiana organizations to significantly expand economic growth, sports and entertainment. In addition, Game ON! offers exciting new opportunities for investors to partner in this development long-term which is focused on community-enhancing economic development in thriving and forward-looking Northwest Indiana.

Northwest Indiana is the second largest populous community in Indiana next to Indianapolis. Game ON! is positioned for Duneland Arena to provide as many as 120 events per calendar year ranging from concerts to professional and amateur sports. Duneland Arena, as America's first LEED platinum toward net-plus venue in its class, conceived, designed and built multi-purpose venue represents a significant step forward for Northwest Indiana and America's sustainable goals.

"As a minimum goal, Duneland Arena will be the first LEED platinum arena. This is a significant challenge that requires thorough LEED platinum design and integration from concept to use. In addition, attempts will be made to achieve net-plus status," Mr. Boardman stated.

As background, energy-plus or net-plus building produces more energy from renewable energy sources, over the course of a year, than it imports from external sources. DSA is the current lead for Duneland Arena project Game ON! This includes a hands on role to develop locally owned professional sports franchises. In addition to its investment leading Game On!, DSA will partner with commercial real estate developers to ensure adequate accommodations. Total Northwest Indiana investment including Duneland Arena and accommodations is estimated at $115 million.

"DSA's vision and execution is well-positioned to be an enduring supplier of opportunity to Northwest Indiana," said Mr. Boardman of DSA. "Our overall approach is to do the right thing for our citizens. Our goal is to provide excellent entertainment value and bring resources into our community. We are looking forward to a landmark venue contextual to the natural beauty of the Lake Michigan duneland shore that leads arena technology." Mr. Boardman added.

Project Game ON! represents Stewardship that is: Green, Sustainable, Locally Sourced, Transparent and Ethical. To ensure these goals are met, DSA is partnering with established leading LEED architects, planners, engineers, researchers and universities to ensure a fully integrated state of the art venue from concept to use. "We have a vision for long-term landmark development, investment, management that serves our community," said Mr. Boardman.

Game ON! is family friendly sports and entertainment with representative events such as: College, high school, youth hockey, soccer, la crosse, basketball, sports tournaments and a growing list of sports- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sports. Family friendly concerts, dog shows, circus, Disney, Sesame, ice capades, community events, trade shows, corporate, religious and cultural events. DSA brand will denote the best-in-class Northwest Indiana sports and entertainment platform, and we believe this combination has unmatched potential to develop a stellar portfolio addressing our communities sports and entertainment needs.

This is a logical succession of what the DSA leadership started generations ago while returning to its roots as a long-term family friendly operation that allows it to maintain deep ties to the community it serves. History unites DSA leadership with a six generational history in Northwest Indiana since the mid 19th century. The shared vision is reflected in DSA's leadership. With highly-specialized expertise in food-beverage, entertainment, sports, project management, LEED, local needs and partnering, DSA has the breadth and strength to envision and successfully execute project Game ON! for Northwest Indiana and greater Chicagoland.

DSA gains further competitive capabilities through its national capital markets scope, access and knowledge. "DSA has the flexibility and resources to lead a LEED platinum-net plus design team and manage a team of facility professionals while taking advantage of new opportunities, with a view to the long term," Mr. Boardman noted.

DSA will capitalize for our community on substantial location advantages and opportunities as a crossroads of America to bring best-in-class sports and entertainment. Porter County is situated 65 miles from approximately 11 million residents and 150 miles from approximately 15 million residents. In addition to serving local needs, Duneland Arena's proposed capacities provide growth and an economic development opportunity with: Concerts: 5,300 (half-house), 6,400 (3/4 house) 7,790 (End-stage) 10,350 (center-stage) Basketball: 9,000 Ice Hockey: 8,400 (9,200 with standing room). Duneland Sports Authority is an Indiana non-profit corporation doing business as Duneland Family Sports and Entertainemnt. Duneland Family Sports and Entertainment was established in 2012 with a mission to construct and successfully operate a multi-purpose professionally managed state of the art LEED platinum toward net- plus family friendly entertainment and sports venue. This project is led, owned and operated by Duneland Family Sports and Entertainment.

Source: Duneland Sports Authority Inc.

[okinawatyphoon]

Well, it sounds like any chance the University had at a joint venture with the city/county is now gone. This arena would never be built in Valpo......am I wrong? Chesteron makes more logical sense since it has better freeway access.

[LaPorteAveApostle]

Interesting.  But I can't say I have a whole lot of faith in people to pull off a nine-figure project when they can't pull off a press release without multiple grammatical and spelling errors.  (I mean, heck, I grow tired of them on here, and we're just a message board.  Although clearly I let it slide on the discussion of the upcoming schedule.)

VU men's basketball would have to be the anchor, as there aren't going to be a whole lot of concerts on a docket, what with Chicago nearby for good groups, and eight dozen casinos already regularly bringing in "the NEW Creedence Clearwater Revisited featuring Bowser from Sha Na Na!" and the like. 

So if VU doesn't want to do business with them, they're sunk.  What are they going to fill it with?

[classof2014]

If an arena was built any further than a reasonable walk for VU students it would be a terrible move for the university to move there. Having our arena in Chesterton will kill all student interest. The only games I could see happening there would possibly be the occasional game over a break. Other than that it'd be an awful move for the university.

[vu72]

If an arena was built any further than a reasonable walk for VU students it would be a terrible move for the university to move there. Having our arena in Chesterton will kill all student interest. The only games I could see happening there would possibly be the occasional game over a break. Other than that it'd be an awful move for the university.

But, it might allow us to get bigger names into the area with the bigger venue and perhaps a bigger guarantee.

[valporun]

If VU was to work with this, it would have to be for games against Notre Dame, Illinois, Duke, North Carolina, and the like. There is no way this arena, if built any significant distance from campus, would deteriorate student interest, and possibly some local/season ticket holder fan support, because it wouldn't be the most conceivable way to get consistent attendance to games that fans/students already don't go to, like the non-D1s or the Chicago States of the basketball world. Plus, we don't know what the private owners of this arena would want to charge in rent and tickets for VU basketball games. I could guarantee there wouldn't be a tiered pricing setup for non-D1s/out-of-conference vs. Horizon League games, like you see now. How would fans feel about paying $30 for a cheap seat to a single game for VU basketball against a non-D1, like an IU-N, Purdue-Cal, and those teams that we should beat with our bench players seeing significant minutes?

[a3uge]

There is no way this arena, if built any significant distance from campus, would deteriorate student interest, and possibly some local/season ticket holder fan support, because it wouldn't be the most conceivable way to get consistent attendance to games that fans/students already don't go to, like the non-D1s or the Chicago States of the basketball world.

It's crazy to think that moving the arena 15-20 minutes away wouldn't affect student interest. There's already more student support in Valpo (with the smallest school) than any other team in the Horizon. Would as many students come to games if they had to take a shuttle to the game? Definitely not.

[vu72]

What if it was built on campus?  Is the location not right to attract folks for other events?  Add a huge parking facility.  This is the kind of financing we need (i.e. others putting up the money and VU leasing over a long term).  I suspect this is what is happening for the new dorm--don't know for sure.

[historyman]

What if the Duneland Arena was built in the Eastgate area? What the Duneland Sports Authority is looking for is a location near major interstate highways. What would be needed is to improve Highway 49 to a full limited access highway. What holds up the traffic on 49 is the stop lights. If they could get the state to build overpasses where there are stoplights at Indian Boundary Rd, East Porter Rd, the Indiana Toll Rd access road and 500 North/Burlington Beach Rd (the other intersections would have to be limited to a frontage road) that would make 49 a totally limited access highway from I-94 to US 30. Which I think would make a venue sight in Valpo next to the VU campus much more likely. It would be a huge investment by the state but something they would be willing to do if the Duneland Arena was privately funded. Obviously it would also help Valpo  with more economic opportunities.

[valporun]

You're right, a3uge. I should have paid attention to how I worded this. I didn't edit my post, and just typed. I meant to say the opposite of what I posted, but just typed, instead of read what I said. I guess that's what I get for not having posted in about a week or so.

[vu72]

I don't think Mark would want to play in a 10,300 seat venue unless it were for specific opponents.

[wh]

I don't think Mark would want to play in a 10,300 seat venue unless it were for specific opponents.

Not trying to split hairs, '72, but the news release says it seats 9000 for basketball. 

Concerts: 5,300 (half-house), 6,400 (3/4 house) 7,790 (End-stage) 10,350 (center-stage) Basketball: 9,000 Ice Hockey: 8,400 (9,200 with standing room)

It doesn't really change your point, except that 9 might seem a tad "cozier" than 10-3.  I will say that the prospects of playing at least some home games in a state-of-the-art 9000 seat arena does have a certain appeal to it.

[vu72]

I don't think Mark would want to play in a 10,300 seat venue unless it were for specific opponents.

Not trying to split hairs, '72, but the news release says it seats 9000 for basketball. 

Concerts: 5,300 (half-house), 6,400 (3/4 house) 7,790 (End-stage) 10,350 (center-stage) Basketball: 9,000 Ice Hockey: 8,400 (9,200 with standing room)

It doesn't really change your point, except that 9 might seem a tad "cozier" than 10-3.  I will say that the prospects of playing at least some home games in a state-of-the-art 9000 seat arena does have a certain appeal to it.

My bad!

[valpo64]

The world is full of new ideas and talk is cheap.  Even the suburban Chicago area has venues that size that are having trouble staying in business and attracting crowds.   You've got to be kidding...in Porter County?

[agibson]

Definitely feels half-baked.

with representative events such as: College, high school, youth hockey, soccer, la crosse, basketball, sports tournaments and a growing list of sports- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sports. Family friendly concerts, dog shows, circus, Disney, Sesame, ice capades, community events, trade shows, corporate, religious and cultural events.

Really?

I'd be delighted if something positive came of this.  But, the newspaper piece accurately reflected the press release in at least one respect - it seems a bit nebulous and of uncertain future.

[vu72]

The world is full of new ideas and talk is cheap.  Even the suburban Chicago area has venues that size that are having trouble staying in business and attracting crowds.   You've got to be kidding...in Porter County?



To be fair the article didn't say it was just for Porter County. It said "... Provide family-friendly entertainment and sports to Northwest Indiana and greater Chicagoland."

[a3uge]

Definitely feels half-baked.

with representative events such as: College, high school, youth hockey, soccer, la crosse, basketball, sports tournaments and a growing list of sports- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sports. Family friendly concerts, dog shows, circus, Disney, Sesame, ice capades, community events, trade shows, corporate, religious and cultural events.

Really?

I'd be delighted if something positive came of this.  But, the newspaper piece accurately reflected the press release in at least one respect - it seems a bit nebulous and of uncertain future.

So you're telling me I won't be able to go to the Lakeshore Bone and Joint Family Express Duneland Arena in 10 years and watch some competitive Axe Throwing, Buzkashi, Cowboy Action Shooting, or Moscow broomball???

[milldew72]

Seeing how tough it is to fill a 5,000-seat gym to the point where it doesn't look half empty, I can't imagine the university would be interested in an arena half the size. The place would be a graveyard on most HL or other game days. This arena would likely be home to a major junior hockey league team, and might play host to the local Purdue directional campus teams and things like that.
And don't be so quick to dismiss the idea of major artists playing a 9,000 seat arena on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. Booking agents love to book shows that are between major tour stops like Chicago and Detroit, or Milwaukee an INdy

[vu84v2]

Thoughts:
-I am extremely doubtful that there is a business plan that could make this work.
-Regardless, if this were (by some miracle) to be built - Valpo should NEVER agree to be a tenant.  College basketball needs to be played within walking distance for students and any rationalization of busing students to and from games would be completely unrealistic.  Furthermore, regardless of what is not said in the press release I would almost guarantee that this group is assuming that Valpo would be a tenant.  Unless it is walking distance, that should never happen.

[historyman]

Why is almost every poster deadset against having a larger arena off campus but within Porter County? How far do most of you travel to see Crusader games? Everybody has stated it but I really haven't heard any good reasons. Isn't the unspoken reason that students are too lazy to get off their duff to get to the games? Couldn't the athletic dept get that mindset changed?

Personally, I like the idea of keeping the ARC and using the Duneland Arena for games against teams that draw larger crowds such as Purdue, Indiana, Illinois, Notre Dame, Marquette, Butler, North Carolina, etc.

[valpospartan]

Personally, I like the idea of keeping the ARC and using the Duneland Arena for games against teams that draw larger crowds such as Purdue, Indiana, Illinois, Notre Dame, Marquette, Butler, North Carolina, etc.

To dream the impossible dream, to........

[okinawatyphoon]

What if the Duneland Arena was built in the Eastgate area? What the Duneland Sports Authority is looking for is a location near major interstate highways. What would be needed is to improve Highway 49 to a full limited access highway. What holds up the traffic on 49 is the stop lights. If they could get the state to build overpasses where there are stoplights at Indian Boundary Rd, East Porter Rd, the Indiana Toll Rd access road and 500 North/Burlington Beach Rd (the other intersections would have to be limited to a frontage road) that would make 49 a totally limited access highway from I-94 to US 30. Which I think would make a venue sight in Valpo next to the VU campus much more likely. It would be a huge investment by the state but something they would be willing to do if the Duneland Arena was privately funded. Obviously it would also help Valpo  with more economic opportunities.

I agree with making IN49 a limited access highway. With the recent completion of the Vale Park overpass, I think we are making progress. Burlington Beach is the last stop between Valpo and the toll road.

[agibson]

I agree with making IN49 a limited access highway. With the recent completion of the Vale Park overpass, I think we are making progress. Burlington Beach is the last stop between Valpo and the toll road.

Huh - I'd not thought of it like that, but I guess so.  There are other places you might get off, without off-ramps.  But, I suppose that is the only remaining stoplight.

[vu84v2]

The question was asked "why is everyone against Valpo using an off-campus arena?".  It's not that students are lazy...its that any person (student or otherwise) is going to make a cost-benefit tradeoff when going to an event.  Even if your dollar cost is zero (which I think it is for students at Valpo), they still have to invest the time versus school work or other activities.  If students live on or near campus, it is a short walk and the total time devoted to the game would be about 2 1/2 hours.  Add getting to the bus, bus travel time (both ways), etc. and the time could go up to 4 hours.  Additionally, you now have to figure in that something could go wrong (i.e the student does not control the bus where they do control walking to and from the game.  Some students will make the choice not to devote the extra 1 1/2 hours - no matter what the marketing is from the athletic department.  With some students making the choice not to go, student attendance will go down and thus the environment will significantly degrade.  This has to be avoided.

Additionally, I would argue that when the team plays on campus there is a greater sense of ownership of the team compared to it playing 15-30 minutes away.  Students feel they own the team more when the stadium is part of their environment.

DePaul is the classic case where I believe this has happened.  Of course you could argue that if DePaul were a Top 20 team that there would be more student interest - but there would be more interest regardless.  Others that (at least in my view) have had problems with off-campus arenas would include USC, Miami (FL) and UW-Milwaukee (though Miami had more attendance with a top team last year).  Marquette would seem to be an exception.

I am just fearful that someone might rationalize that moving to a Duneland Arena would put Valpo into a new bigger stadium at a low university cost and that people will just come.  They won't (unless this is a top team year in and year out - at a level it has never really consistently been at).  Valpo basketball is far better in the ARC unless a new stadium is built on or right next to campus.