From the desk of Ray Williams, Erie Insurance Arena and UPMC Park Operations Manager:

What an exciting season we’re having here at the Arena! The Otters are playing well and hopefully will be playing into late May. The Bayhawks are in the middle of their season and will be around for at least two more years. We’ve had two great concerts a week apart with more than 12,000 people here between the two events. Mix in the recent warm weather and we’ve been able to start getting UPMC Park ready earlier than ever before for the upcoming baseball season. All of this excitement has kept the staff working hard, but everyone is excited to be part of the team that is able to help put on these wonderful events for the hockey, basketball and music fans in our community.

The last three weeks have been a lot of fun for me in particular. We’ve had hockey games, basketball games and aforementioned concerts. The games are always exciting with so many fans in the building and the energy in the crowds. Concert days may be long work days, but when the promoters and the road crews are easy to work with, relaxed and fun to talk to, they make those days fly by. The best part of the concerts are when the lights are turned off, the headliner hits the first note and everyone is on their feet and screaming – you can feel the excitement…it puts a smile on my face and reminds me of the great things I get to do and all the house are worth it to have everyone have a great time at the Arena! Without the fans, I couldn’t do what I do…and I say, thank you!