Hilo Needs an ARENA.

[Daniel]

I've been saying this for years. 10,000 seat arena for uh Hilo that can be used for community events. Would be awesome for this island.

Daniel R Diamond

[unknownjulie]

I second the idea of a convention center attatched to a hotel. It would be paid for by private money, but bring tourist dollars out into the community.

[kalakoa]

Good point, wax: any venue large enough to draw a "name brand" act will need lodging for the band, their crew, *and* anyone who travels here to see them. Unlike a mainland tour, there's no "festival camping" scene (for those so inclined), the time/expense of travel to the islands means these visitors will demand a nice place to stay.

Not only isn't there a "real" hotel, we don't even have a clean "budget" Motel6 or something.

They're certainly not going to want to commute from the "nice" hotels on the Kona side...

[Radiopeg]

I would be happy to see comfortable seating. I can not get comfortable on the hard plank seating. Not to mention the lack of hand rails and aisles to get up and down in to make it safer. Treading up and down to go to the rest room or concession area is well nigh impossible. Only the friendliness of the crowd offering a hand to the auntie as she tries to work her way to her seat makes it possible for me to attend events at this venue.

Peace and long life

[terracore]

Every time a hotel comes up for sale on the East side, Marriott or Hilton tries to buy it. But Hawaii permits have so far always gone local. Also, neither hotel will spend tens of millions of dollars demolishing and then building on a leasehold. Air Japan has said for years that they would start direct flights to Hilo if there was a three star (or better) hotel available to put tour guests into. Hawaii's worst enemy against tourism is itself.

[Wuzzerdad]

I need to pay more taxes. NOT! [}]

I started out with nothing and I still have most of it.
Mahalo
Rick

[Kapohocat]

quote:

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Originally posted by Daniel

I've been saying this for years. 10,000 seat arena for uh Hilo that can be used for community events. Would be awesome for this island.

Daniel R Diamond

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I can see it but do you know what that would cost to build?

In 2005, Stockton arena which has a 10K seat capacity cost $63M.

How long would it take to recoup that cost using this figure?

Could the COH recoup this cost or would it become a white elephant?