Rochester: City selects VenuWorks to operate, manage Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial
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~ Rochester, NY - Mayor Malik D. Evans has announced that the City has selected Ames, Iowa-based facility management company VenuWorks to operate and manage the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial. The company will take over operations after the conclusion of the 2024-25 American Hockey League season.

According to Mayor Evans, this decision is a crucial one for the city as they have big plans for the arena as part of their ROC the Riverway initiative. With over $7 million in planned upgrades, the Blue Cross Arena will continue to be a prominent sports and entertainment destination in the Finger Lakes region. The mayor expressed excitement in welcoming VenuWorks to Rochester.

The recommendation for VenuWorks as the new operator of the arena will be presented to City Council for approval at their October meeting. The City had issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) in April seeking a facility manager to provide operational, sales, and marketing services for the 255,540 square-foot arena. Built in 1955 and renovated in 1998 with a cost of $41 million, recent upgrades were made in 2020 to improve visiting locker rooms and concessions. As part of the Roc the Riverway plan, there are also plans for a riverside addition that would expand the concourse level concession area and introduce an open club seating concept.

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The Blue Cross Arena at War Memorial is owned by the City and maintained through its capital improvement budget. It features a state-of-the-art exterior digital marquee that provides operators with advertising revenue opportunities. In addition to hosting professional sports events, it also serves as a venue for various entertainment events, high school and college sporting events, trade shows, and more. The arena is also home to a veterans memorial.

VenuWorks currently operates more than a dozen similar-sized arenas across communities in different parts of the country including Evansville, Indiana's Ford Center and Cedar Rapids' Alliant Energy PowerHouse arena. The company has proposed to increase the use of the Blue Cross Arena by offering diverse and new concert and stage offerings. As an employee-owned and community-focused organization, VenuWorks submitted a strong proposal with no request for an annual base management fee, which would incentivize the agreement to maximize the venue's financial performance.

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Once City Council approves the selection, the City and VenuWorks will enter into a five-year agreement with the option for two additional five-year extensions. The current manager of the arena, Rochester Arena, LLC (RA), has been in charge of operations since 2019. However, in March, they notified the City of their intention to opt-out of their agreement and will assist with a smooth transition to VenuWorks.

Apart from operation and management functions, VenuWorks has also committed to investing over $1.2 million in capital improvements at the arena and managing the adjacent Court Street parking lot. The City will retain ownership and responsibility for the structure and replacement of building systems while VenuWorks will handle routine maintenance and repairs.

The City is confident that this partnership with VenuWorks will bring new opportunities for growth and success for the Blue Cross Arena at War Memorial. With their experience in managing similar arenas across different communities, VenuWorks is expected to bring fresh ideas and diverse events to Rochester's premier sports and entertainment destination.

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