Rochester Reporter

Mayor Malik D. Evans announced today that the City has selected VenuWorks, a facility management company based in Ames, Iowa, to operate and manage the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial. This new arrangement will commence after the conclusion of the 2024-25 American Hockey League season.

“This is an important decision for our city,” said Mayor Evans. “We have big plans for the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial as part of our ROC the Riverway initiative, with more than $7 million in upgrades planned that will keep its prominence as the primary sports and entertainment destination of the Finger Lakes. We are excited to welcome VenuWorks to Rochester.”

The selection of VenuWorks will be recommended to City Council for approval at its October meeting. The City 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, it underwent a $41 million renovation in 1998. Visiting locker room and concession upgrades were made in 2020. As part of the Roc the Riverway plan for the arena, a riverside addition would expand the concourse level concession area to an open club seating concept.

The City owns and maintains the Blue Cross Arena through its capital improvement budget. The venue features a state-of-the-art exterior digital marquee that offers advertising revenue opportunities. Besides professional sports, it hosts various entertainment events, high school and college sporting events, trade shows, and more. It also houses a veterans memorial.

VenuWorks operates over a dozen similar-sized arenas nationwide, including Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana, and Alliant Energy PowerHouse arena in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The firm has proposed increasing arena use with diverse concert and stage offerings. Their proposal included no request for an annual base management fee to incentivize maximizing financial performance.

Upon City Council approval, VenuWorks would enter into a five-year agreement with options for two additional five-year extensions.

Rochester Arena LLC (RA), which has managed operations since 2019, notified the City in March of their intention to opt-out of their agreement but will assist with transitioning operations to VenuWorks.

In addition to managing operations, VenuWorks will invest over $1.2 million in capital improvements at the arena and manage the adjacent Court Street parking lot. The City retains ownership and responsibility for building systems while VenuWorks handles routine maintenance and repairs.

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