by Ed Snyder, Assistant Director of Sports Facilities

It may be the middle of summer, but here at Erie Events we are always looking to what is next.  Once hockey starts in a few months, our staff will transition the arena multiple times a week to set up for the wide variety of events held at Erie Insurance Arena.  The Arena Operations Department will begin working 24 hours a day, seven days a week in August and that will continue until the end of the hockey season in the spring.

Our all-star crew of six full time employees and 20+ part time employees are always busy.  Whether they are constructing a stage and setting up dressing rooms for a concert, laying down the basketball court for a BayHawks game or working to improve the arena, it is non-stop action all season long.  It is simply amazing see how different this building looks in just eight hours!

A big thank you to our Erie Insurance Arena Operation staff!  Without their tireless work behind the scenes, none of the events at the arena could go on!  Follow Erie Events on Social Media this season for some behind the scenes photos and time-lapse videos of what it takes to set up the arena for various events.

Below are a few events we are really looking forward to. Hope to see you at the arena!

The Otters start their 2018/19 season with their annual training camp on August 25^th.  The multiple day process of installing the ice surface will take place a week prior to training camp.  Arena staff have already begun the process of preparing for the season completing multiple projects including repairing the dasher walls, prepping the ice equipment and washing the Zambonis.  The Otters open their season on home ice for the first time in team history on September 22^nd.

The Erie Sports Commission and Mercyhurst University will host the prestigious Ice Breaker Tournament at the Erie Insurance Arena on October 13^th and 14^th.  This four team tournament will feature Erie’s own Mercyhurst University as well as Miami University, Providence University and the University of Notre Dame.  This is a great chance to see some of the best collegiate ice hockey teams in the country. Make sure you come out and support the hometown Lakers!

The BayHawks are back to defend their Southwest Division Championship this fall.  Look for their schedule to be released later this summer.  It will be another exciting season as they continue their affiliation with the Atlanta Hawks and look to bring a NBA G-League Championship to Erie!

The Presque Isle Partnership’s Best Summer Night Concert will at Erie Insurance Arena on September 6^th.  The arena staff are working with the Partnership to ensure the fundraising event for Presque State Park is a great experience. Tickets from the beach concert can be exchanged at the Box Office and will go on sale to the public on August 1^st. 

Monster Jam returns to the arena for the first time since 2015 this November.  We will go through the two day transition of unloading over 50 of trucks of soil to transform the ice floor into a dirt track for the two day competition on November 9^th and 10^th.   Seeing monster trucks up close in an environment like the Erie Insurance Arena is an experience you can’t find anywhere else!