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Development of the Urban Plains Center
There is no question that the passion for our youth, our hockey programs and our community is the driving force behind the development of the Urban Plains Center and future Tournament Facility project. The road to success presented very difficult challenges which were overcome by the innovation, teamwork and dedication of the Metro Sports Foundation Board and volunteer leaders.
In the beginning, there were many ideas, several construction plans and thousands of hours of volunteer time and energy spent in planning meetings. Ultimately, the best solution to financing this tremendous project was through a bond sale. After reviewing the Urban Plains Center's market demand analysis report, a leading investment management company agreed to issue interest only bonds for several years until revenue and support stabilized. Metro Sports Foundation was given approval to begin construction!
Then, the unthinkable happened. The investment management company was financially threatened by the national sub-prime mortgage crisis and the project was put on hold indefinitely.
However, to the Board and those passionately involved, this meant finding an alternative plan and pushing forward. After more negotiations and new planning strategies, the pieces began to come together. Multiple community banks and local business agreed to finance the main arena, not because they all loved hockey, but for what the facility would bring to our community.
On June 27, 2007, we broke ground on 15 acres of land just north of 32nd Avenue and west of the Urban Plains park. Then, just over a year later, Phase I, the Urban Plains Center, was complete.
The Urban Plains Center seats approximately 5,000 fans for hockey fans and 6,000 for basketball and volleyball. The Tournament Facility will be comprised of four venues - the largest seating 1,600 for hockey and 2,000 for basketball and volleyball. The three smaller venues will seat approximately 800 fans. The Tournament Facility will be approximately 130,000 square feet. Each sheet of ice will be 85'x200', National Hockey League (NHL) regulation size.
The facility in its entirety is comprised of the following:
- Five indoor, NHL regulation ice sheets
- 37 locker rooms, one designated for each Fargo Public School and Shanley High School
- 36 luxury suites
- 2 club lounges
- 300 club seats
- Athletic training facility
- Meeting/Conference/Family room
- Coaches offices
- Restaurant/Concessions
- Parking
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