Independence, MO---

“The puck stops here.”

Independence Mayor Don Reimal borrowed a line from the city’s most beloved figure to signify the next phase of development for the multi-purpose events center now being constructed in Independence.

Playing off Harry S Truman’s famous slogan, Reimal ended his opening remarks Tuesday at a groundbreaking ceremony to christen the new Independence Events Center by delivering the barb.

“This is an exciting day for Independence and all of Eastern Jackson County,” Reimal said. “The events center will be an affordable, exciting way for families to (have fun) together.”

Reimal, who was joined by City Manager Robert Heacock and Global Entertainment Corporation executives at the groundbreaking, said the ceremonies marked the transition from the planning phase to the construction phase of the 5,800-seat multi-use center at 19100 Valley View Parkway, on the southeast corner of Interstate 70 and Missouri 291.

The center will have the capacity to host a variety of events, Reimal said, including sporting events, community events, trade shows, conventions and concerts.

“We will be able to see (entertainment) stars on their way up and will be able to some on their way down,” Reimal said to a round of laughter and applause. “They all have a cycle. Sort of like elected officials.”

Scheduled for completion by the fall of next year, the multi-purpose events center will be located in the Eastland Center and will include luxury suites and VIP seating along with restaurants, lounges and an attached practice facility with a second ice surface for community use. 

The nearly $60 million facility will be paid for by taxes generated from a community improvement district established by commercial businesses near the center.

A Central Hockey League team is planned to be the facility’s primary tenant with the team license to be awarded by the Western Professional Hockey League, a Global subsidiary.

Other anchor tenants for the events center possibly include an indoor professional soccer team and an indoor professional football team.

“Many times we underestimate the difficulty of building a building like this,” said Global Entertainment President and CEO Rick Kozuback. “Without the vision of the Mayor and City Council, this project does not happen. Everybody here owes (city officials) a debt of gratitude. We are very grateful for you.”

An amended contract between the city and construction contractor J.E. Dunn worth $23 million was approved Monday. The contract maxes out at $54.9 million to build the arena. Including land acquisition and other purchases, the total cost associated with the events center will be close to $68 million.

“A lot of good things are happening in Independence,” Heacock said. “We have one of the premiere skate parks in the area, one of the premiere water parks and a ball field that will be one of the premiere ball fields in the area. Independence is a great place to live, work and raise a family.”

Heacock thanked Bob Rennison of Independence for getting the ball moving on the events center nearly two-and-a-half-years ago. Heacock said Rennison laid the ground work by connecting city officials with officials with Global Entertainment, who were looking to expand their roster of facilities and related-tenants.

“As a person of faith, I think God put me in the right place at the right time,” said Rennison, a former play-by-play announcer with minor league teams in the Wichita and Topeka areas. “I think it is fantastic that so many people have gotten behind this.”

Asked if he had intentions on getting back in the booth to announce games involving the Independence-based CHL hockey team, Rennison smiled and politely bellowed: “I would love to.”

An anchor?

A Global Entertainment executive hinted at possible anchor tenants for the Independence Events Center at a groundbreaking ceremony for the development.

Steve Bielewicz, president of Global Properties I, a subsidiary of Global Entertainment, said although not yet written in stone, representatives from an Arena Football League 2 team and a professional indoor soccer team were in attendance for the groundbreaking of the nearly $60 million facility.

The representatives were joined at the ceremony by representatives of a Central Hockey League franchise officials hope will occupy the Events Center as anchor tenant.

“We are being pretty tight-lipped about this, but hopefully we’ll be back in November with another announcement,” Bielewicz said. “We want to keep this pretty close to the vest until then.”

Independence Mayor Don Reimal jumps down from the platform after turning dirt with City Manager Robert Heacock, center, and Global Entertainment Corporation executives for the ground breaking of the Independence Events Center on the southeast corner of Interstate 70 and Missouri 291.