For many residents, the memory of high school graduation is intertwined with the iconic Family Arena. If you’ve walked across that stage in cap and gown, accepting your diploma with a mix of pride and relief in the last quarter-century, chances are your family was cheering you on from the stands of The Family Arena.
Since opening its doors in 1999, the Family Arena has become a cornerstone of the community, hosting countless graduations and witnessing the start of new chapters for generations. In fact, the very first graduates to celebrate in the Family Arena are now old enough to see their own children taking that momentous walk. As we reflect on these personal milestones, the Family Arena itself is celebrating a significant achievement: hosting over 400 graduation ceremonies in its first 25 years.
This year alone, the Family Arena is set to host 29 graduation events by mid-June, solidifying its role as the premier venue for academic celebrations in St. Charles County. But as the graduation season concludes, a different kind of activity will commence. Hard hats and construction crews will soon replace caps and gowns as the Family Arena embarks on a substantial summer renovation project.
St. Charles County is investing $13 million to modernize and upgrade the Family Arena this summer, ensuring it remains a top-tier facility for years to come. A significant portion of this investment, over $10 million, is generously supported by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and an additional federal grant. The County is contributing approximately $3 million directly to this essential project, demonstrating its commitment to the Family Arena and the community it serves.
According to Tom O’Keefe, marketing and booking manager for the Family Arena, the most anticipated upgrade is the replacement of the lower-level seating. He candidly noted that the current seats “definitely look their age,” adding, “They look dirty, even when they’re not. The new seats will be a significant improvement, closely resembling those found at the Enterprise Center – offering more cushion, enhanced durability, and superior stain resistance compared to the existing seating.”
Alt text: A wide shot of a high school graduation ceremony taking place in the Family Arena, with graduates in caps and gowns on stage and families cheering from the newly renovated seats in the stands.
The renovation work, scheduled for almost seven weeks from June 16th to July 31st, will encompass not only the new seating installation but also a range of other key improvements:
- Automated motors for the lower-level seating platforms, replacing the manual operation for easier configuration and quicker event turnarounds.
- The introduction of interior public Wi-Fi, a long-awaited amenity that will enhance the visitor experience and cater to the needs of modern event attendees.
- Comprehensive replacements of the central heating and cooling systems to ensure comfortable temperatures within the Family Arena year-round.
- Modernization of the video displays with two new video board replacements and the addition of a third, expanding visual capabilities for events.
- A significant upgrade to the end zone ribbon board, replacing it with a 360-degree, higher-resolution ribbon board for more dynamic and engaging displays.
- The replacement of outdated analog promotional signs and old tube TVs on the concourse with sleek, new flat-screen TVs, improving aesthetics and communication.
- A new internal communication system for operations staff, streamlining logistics and enhancing the efficiency of event management within the Family Arena.
In addition to these interior upgrades, the renovation project includes the ongoing replacement of the Family Arena’s roof, which commenced earlier this spring. Furthermore, the parking lot has already been resurfaced and re-striped, and all halogen parking lot lights have been replaced with energy-efficient LEDs. This switch to LED lighting is projected to generate substantial savings on the electric bill, demonstrating a commitment to both environmental responsibility and cost-effectiveness for the Family Arena.
These comprehensive renovations mark a pivotal moment in the history of the Family Arena. Much like a graduation ceremony signifies a transition and the beginning of a new phase, these upgrades will revitalize the Family Arena, setting the stage for countless more community events, celebrations, and memories for many years to come.
