Local officials unveil new logo, offer tours of renovations to Budweiser Events Center - Reporter-Herald
Thomas Clayton
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Local officials unveil new logo, offer tours of renovations to Budweiser Events Center
Center to become Blue Arena at beginning of October
A large group of local officials gathered in the entrance of the Budweiser Event Center Wednesday afternoon to see the future of the decades-old building.
Keller Taylor, general manager for Blue Arena, unveils the new logo Wednesday at the Budweiser Event Center during a press conference. The center will officially be named Blue Arena on Oct. 1. (Jenny Sparks/Loveland Reporter-Herald)Members of The Ranch staff, Blue Federal Credit Union, Oak View Group and the Larimer County commissioners all gathered to see the new logo for what will soon be Blue Arena and see the renovations that have been made over the last few months.
The transition from Budweiser to Blue Federal Credit Union was announced at the beginning of the year, with the credit union agreeing to pay the county, which owns the event center, $7.5 million over the next 10 years.
Keller Taylor, general manager of the event center and regional vice president for OVG360 , said that nine weeks ago the event center closed its doors to begin renovations inside in preparation for the change. He said while it is a “rare time” for them to not have events, the team was able to spend that time putting in $5 million of renovations.
A major part of this, he said, was replacing all of the seats inside the bowl of the arena as well as seats that can be placed on the floor during concerts; he said this alone cost nearly $4 million. Renovations included upgrades to the suites along the top deck of the arena which are currently all sold out.
Larimer County Commissioner John Kefalas tours the Budweiser Events Center Wednesday, checking out the renovations. (Jenny Sparks/Loveland Reporter-Herald)Along with the new seats and suite renovations, new Blue Arena signage can be seen around the center, from large wooden signs to brightly lit marquees lining the arena.
“We are so proud to be able to accomplish (all) that in such a short time,” Taylor said.
He said when the events center began searching for a new naming partner a year and a half ago, they had been partnered with Blue for several years and it was a perfect fit.
“When you look at all the stars aligning in this situation we are going to have a great partnership that kicks off Oct. 1 with a new 10-year deal,” he said. Taylor later told the Reporter-Herald that following the signing of the 10-year contract Budweiser Event Center will become Blue Arena.
Stephanie Teubner, Blue FCU president and CEO, said it has been an “adventure” for the Blue team to come up with the logo change and team up with the events center, adding they are all excited for what the future holds.
She said the team saw taking the naming of the stadium as a “tremendous opportunity to bring everyone together” in their continued work to serve the community.
“Blue Arena really is a natural progression, it speaks to this transformational progress at Blue Federal Credit Union as well as all of Northern Colorado,” she said. “It stands as a symbol of growth, and that is what we represent and we know that is what the county and the amazing employees here hope for as well.”
Teubner and Taylor also unveiled the new logo, pulling down a black cloth to show off the logo that will soon adorn the outside of the building as it does for much of the inside.
Beyond unveiling the new logo and giving updates on the renovations to the center, Taylor and other officials gave more information on future events and sweepstakes.
Conor McGrath, director of The Ranch, said a 20th anniversary celebration will be held at The Ranch Oct. 15. The free event, according to the complex’s website, will include live music, renovation tours, appearances from the Colorado Eagles and a ribbon cutting for the new Blue Arena, among much more to celebrate the history of the building and the complex as a whole.
“Imagining our community without this incredible gathering space is nearly impossible,” said Larimer County Commissioner Chair Jody Shadduck-McNally during the event.
Taylor also announced that the center will be holding a “Golden Ticket” giveaway. Residents who enter will have the potential to be selected to win a pair of tickets to every event at Blue arena and all regular season Colorado Eagles games that will also include free parking.
Entries will be accepted until Oct. 2 and a winner will be selected in a random drawing on or about Oct. 3. More information on the sweepstakes can be found at bit.ly/3qgfeak.
Commissioner John Kefalas closed out the ceremony thanking the many people who came to celebrate the selection of news and upcoming events as well as those who have worked hard to renovate the events center.
“Your support and interest are crucial in fostering a robust and vibrant community,” he said. “Let’s continue working together to make Larimer County an even better place to live, work and thrive.”
 | Tom Clayton Communication and Media Specialist, Public Affairs |
| Commissioners' Office 200 W Oak St, Fort Collins, 80522 | 2nd Floor W: (970) 498-7005 tcla...@larimer.org | www.larimer.org |