First steel beams go up at $80M Tahoe South Events Center
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Sun, 12/05/2021 - 7:15am
The first steel beams in the new Tahoe South Events Center were placed recently as clear weather allowed building progress to continue at a brisk pace. The Phase 2 construction schedule on the 143,000 square-foot, multi-purpose facility was adjusted to accommodate lost workdays due to both weather and fire impacts.
Cooperation among Tahoe Basin partners has helped the project make up lost time.
“Steel began to arrive at the Tahoe South Events Center in early November,” said Rick Kozuback, president and CEO of International Coliseums Company, which is overseeing construction of the project. “Thanks to the owners of the former Wells Fargo bank site across the street, we were able to store significant columns, beams and connections as they arrived allowing the construction crews a less congested worksite relative to final excavation, backfilling and concrete forming and pouring.”
Stairs were installed into the concrete towers prior to Thanksgiving and initial steel columns to their foundations Monday, Nov. 29. This work will continue throughout December with the first steel truss hung onto the columns at the west end of the events center in January 2022. The installation of the first truss will include a ceremony with area officials, project partners and collaborators.
Designed to complement the destination’s gaming and recreational offerings, the events center will provide a venue for conventions, special events and entertainment, as well as a variety of activities for the local South Tahoe community, including concerts, and family programming, as well as professional and amateur sporting events. It is expected to host up to 130 events a year with opportunities to expand visitation into shoulder seasons and mid-week periods. The anticipated economic impact to the entire community is estimated at $40 to 60 million per year.
The project, scheduled for completion in 2022 and opening in early 2023, will feature two levels: an event floor, and a suites, conference and meeting room level, as well as an event lawn area. Seating for up to 6,000 will be available for concerts, performing arts, trade shows, and sporting exhibitions along with a seasonal micro-transit system.
In conjunction with the construction, International Coliseums Company is continuing the procurement for furniture, fixture and equipment needs to support the multi-use aspects of the facility.
Financing for the $80 million-plus project requires no tax increases for residents. Funding sources include $34 million, or 19 percent via Douglas County Redevelopment Area No. 2, created in 2016 to strengthen the area’s economic base through focused attention and financial investment; a $5 per night lodging surcharge on each room at Tahoe Township properties: casinos/hotels, Lodge at Edgewood and vacation rentals will account for 43 percent of debt service to repay the bonds; and current transient lodging license and transient occupancy taxes for the remaining 38 percent.
For more on the Tahoe South Events Center, or to submit an inquiry to host an event, discuss sponsorship, or become a premium seat holder, visit tahoedouglasva.org.
