Erie Insurance Arena Ready For Friday
We're
just three days away from the Erie Otters home opener... The big question on everyone's
mind is will the Erie Insurance Arena be ready...
If you
drive by the arena often... You might worry that there's still a lot of work to
be done... Officials tell us there is, but they're on schedule and the otters
will be playing there on Friday.
Plans for
the former Tullio Arena have been talked about for years... And now the dream
has finally become a reality.
The
Otters season opener starts this Friday night... Executive director of the
Convention Center Authority Casey Wells tells us although the Erie Insurance Arena
is half done, it's pretty spectacular.
But
the whole west side still needs completed...
So
for this season, entrances will be at the east end.
There
will also be a tarp up blocking weather and construction for this season...
Wells
says the otters have started practicing at their new home this week...but
they're paying close attention to the ice.
And
John Frey, director of operations tells us the players are anxious to get
things going at home... And fans won't be disappointed.
That tarp
is going to be at the west end... Which will be the main entrance once the
whole arena is completed.
But
Wells says the arena will be totally closed in by December 1st.
They'll
still be working on phase two... Which is the west side... Throughout the
hockey season, the whole arena should be completely finished by this time next
year.
