The St. Charles Family Arena, a cornerstone of entertainment in St. Charles County, is undergoing a significant $13 million renovation, promising to revitalize the beloved venue for years to come. Opened in 1999, the Family Arena has been a hub for community events, concerts, and sporting competitions, hosting up to 400,000 visitors annually without a major upgrade – until now.
Bob Schnur, Assistant Director of Administration for St. Charles County, emphasizes the importance of this investment: “So many people have enjoyed cheering at soccer games, concerts and shows at the Family Arena. Whole generations of high school students have graduated there. Rejuvenating the aging parts of the arena will be our investment in the next generation of memories.”
The extensive renovation project aims to modernize key areas of the St. Charles Family Arena and significantly improve the guest experience. Among the most notable upgrades is the complete replacement of the lower-level seating. This $3.2 million investment will not only provide brand new, more comfortable seats with thicker cushions but also introduce an automated system for the retractable platforms. Tom O’Keefe, marketing and booking manager, explains, “The seats are as old as the building. They have endured a lifetime of spills, and they show it—they look dirty, even after we clean them. Having new seats will be a radical improvement—and they’ll have thicker cushions and be more comfortable, too.” The automated seating system will streamline operations, saving both time and labor costs.
Further enhancing the event atmosphere, the Family Arena is investing $2 million in state-of-the-art video boards. These new displays will offer improved visuals and engagement opportunities for attendees at concerts, sporting events, and other shows. Another significant portion of the budget, $5.6 million, is allocated to replacing the central heating and cooling systems. This HVAC upgrade will ensure a comfortable environment for guests year-round, regardless of the season.
Beyond these major projects, the $13 million renovation encompasses a range of improvements designed to modernize the St. Charles Family Arena and meet the evolving expectations of visitors:
- Enhanced Connectivity: Installation of interior Wi-Fi for guests, addressing the growing demand for connectivity during events. “This has become a crucial part of the concert-going experience for many people. They want to share photos and videos while they’re attending an event,” O’Keefe notes.
- Improved Wayfinding: New concourse signage to assist guests in navigating the venue more easily.
- Communication System Upgrades: Modernizing communication systems to enhance operational efficiency and safety.
- Parking Lot Repaving: Addressing infrastructure needs with parking lot repaving for improved accessibility and aesthetics.
- Roof Replacement: Ensuring the long-term integrity of the facility with a complete roof replacement.
Funding for the extensive St. Charles Family Arena renovation is secured through a combination of sources. Over $10 million is provided by federal ARPA funding and another federal grant, while approximately $3 million is covered by County funding. This financial strategy minimizes the impact on local taxpayers while maximizing the benefit to the community.
All upgrades are scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2024. These significant improvements to the St. Charles Family Arena are poised to create a more enjoyable and modern experience for guests, ensuring its continued role as a premier entertainment destination in St. Charles County for many years to come. As O’Keefe concludes, “Overall, the improvements are to make the experience more pleasurable for guests, and to modernize the building to keep up with what guests expect at other venues.”
