Broomfield – Hailing it as a “signature day for Broomfield,” Mayor Karen Stuart on Tuesday broke ground for a $45 million sports and entertainment venue that will anchor a 200-acre mixed-use development.
The Broomfield Event Center will be home to two minor-league sports franchises and is expected to host more than 130 events a year, including concerts and civic meetings.
Stuart called the arena “an important component” of the $350 million Arista development, which will feature 700,000 square feet of retail space and a 1,200-unit residential community.
“This project will truly become a gateway to Broomfield,” said Tim Wiens, who is developing Arista with business partner John Frew.
The city is issuing $60 million in bonds next week to finance the construction of the event center and road improvements. The bonds will be paid back with property and sales taxes from the Arista development.
The arena is to open late next year. It will be home to new teams from the Central Hockey League and the Continental Basketball Association. Wiens said names for the teams will be announced in a couple of weeks. Stadium naming rights will not be sold.
Staff writer Andy Vuong can be reached at 303-820-1209 or avuong@denverpost.com.
