Nationwide Arena will get some infrastructure improvements with nearly $2.4 million approved for the improvements by Columbus City Council. The money comes from the 5% admissions tax that event goers pay anytime they purchase a ticket at the arena.
A City Council spokesperson said in an email that "if revenue did not come from ticket fees, repairs would be entirely our city residents' responsibility." The fee also funds local arts through the Greater Columbus Arts Council.
The funding will address a “backlog” of projects that total $13.1 million.
That includes $3.75 million in locker room renovations, $3.4 million to ice plant and cooling tower replacements, $1.25 million in sound and lighting system upgrade, another $1.2 million in special effect lighting improvements, $850,000 for a boiler replacement, $169,000 in elevator upgrades, $275,000 to door replacement and repairs, and $275,000 for digital displays above each entrance at the arena.
“We have a 22-year-old arena. It needs contestant repair and replacement and upgrades," said Don Brown, the executive director of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, which owns the arena. "It’s important to keep the fan experience at its best.”
A Columbus Blue Jackets' spokesperson said that the team contributes some money towards locker room improvements per an agreement with the arena, but that figure is a private number.
Another $10 million will be used from a federal Shuttered Venue Operators Grant and $1 million from the county’s casino tax revenues.
Another item that did not make the list was a $5 million roof replacement, but Brown said that can wait two more years.
