Welcome
Arena Construction Underway!
After many years of planning, and working closely with our partners at UMD, the new arena is now being added to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. Nearly three years after Duluth citizens voted to help fund it, a new arena broke ground on April 13, 2009.
Soon we’ll have greatly expanded opportunities to enjoy our UMD men’s and women’s hockey teams, as well as major entertainers, more conventions, larger trade shows, and other events! The new arena will open with a Men’s UMD hockey game on Thursday, December 30, 2010, and a Grand Opening Event including the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra on Friday, December 31, 2010.
November 19, 2009
The seventh long span truss was put in place this morning. The eighth and final truss is scheduled for Tuesday, November 24. Over 100 workers are currently on-site for the construction project. Workers are busy placing precast concrete panels on the exterior of the arena and working to enclose the building before January. See the progress in our photo gallery below or watch the construction live on the web cam.
Check out The DECC’s New Arena with our live construction web cam! Click on the image to enlarge the view.
Project at a Glance
Construction Start Date: April 2009
Opening Date: December 31, 2010
Seating: 6,600 for men’s and women’s hockey; more than 8,500 for concerts
Job Creation: 300 full-time, union jobs at the peak of construction
Arena Design Team: Kansas City, Missouri-based Populous, the world’s leading sports architecture firm, is teaming up with Duluth’s SJA Architects to design the new arena. The construction manager is Minneapolis-based Mortenson Construction. Among the projects on which Populous and Mortenson have collaborated in Minnesota are the Xcel Energy Center, the University of Minnesota’s new TCF Bank Stadium and the Twins’ new Target Field.
Economic Impact: All the new activities at the DECC will bring millions of dollars each year into our economy for shopping, lodging, dining and other purchases. The new arena will also dramatically increase the more than $750,000 in sales tax the DECC currently collects each year.
Project Cost: Just under $80 million for the entire project, which includes the new arena, skywalk, addition and a 475-car expansion to the DECC’s parking ramp. Construction of the ramp began October 1, 2008.
Funding Sources: The state of Minnesota is funding nearly 50% of the $80 million cost; the voter-approved 3/4 of 1% increase in the city food and beverage tax will fund 27%; UMD will fund 12% and the DECC will fund 11%.
For more information view the Construction Milestones and the Fast Facts
Arena Comparison
The existing and new arenas, by the numbers
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center Arena Comparison
| Existing Arena | | New Arena |
|---|
| 5,100 | Hockey Seating Capacity | 6,600 |
| 14’ | Average Concourse Width | 18’ |
| 28 | Concession Points of Sale | 35 fixed; 6 portable |
| 0 | UMD Club Space | 2,000 square feet |
| 0 | Suites | 15 suites, 1 party suite |
| 31” | Legroom Between Rows | 34” lower bowl
33” upper bowl |
| 16” - 20” | Seat Width | 20” |
| 1 | Elevators | 3 |
| 10’ x 12’ | Scoreboard Dimensions | 15’ x 20’; with video display |
| 15 | Women’s Restroom Stalls on Arena Concourse | 68 |
| Men’s & women’s locker rooms; training room | UMD Player/Staff Facilities | State-of-the-art men’s and women’s locker rooms; weight room; hydrotherapy room; plyometrics area; video room; classroom; offices |
| 85’ x 190’ | Ice Sheet Size | 85’ x 200’ |
LEED & Other Extras
LEED Certification
The DECC will be one of the first arenas in the world with 
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. The arena will maximize energy efficiencies, recycling programs and many other “green” aspects, including the use of local, renewable resources throughout the facility. Our goal is to reduce energy use by approximately 60% over traditional arenas.
Click here to learn more about the DECC’s LEED & Energy Reduction Strategies for the new arena
More Skywalk Access
A new skywalk link will connect our expanded parking ramp and the Northwest Passage from downtown to the new arena, providing more convenient access and protection from the elements for DECC visitors.
‘Open Bowl’ Design
As shown in the interior illustration above, the arena’s design will be such that you’ll have a great view of the action even when you’re in the concourse or at a concession stand!
Downtown Views
The arena’s design will not only provide great sight lines to events inside, but will let in plenty of light and provide great views of Duluth’s picturesque assets.
Private Suites
Individuals and businesses are invited to reserve one of the 15 private suites, each of which will accommodate 12 guests with seats close to the action. Each suite will also include a lounge area, HDTV monitors, in-game concierge access and much more.
Full Accessibility
With a minimum of 130 Americans with Disabilities Act seat locations – 65 for wheelchairs and 65 for companion seating – all guests on all three levels and in suites will enjoy easy accessibility during our events.
