Alerus Center, a premiere events facility that offers a unique combination of space for a variety of events, including conventions, trade shows, football games, concerts of various sizes, soccer games, and other family shows.
The Alerus Center is part of a trend toward regional arenas being built around the country. Officials in mid-size cities, tired of losing tourism and sports dollars to larger cities, are erecting multipurpose facilities capable of hosting conventions, concerts and sporting events in a cost-effective manner. The flexible design of the Alerus Center provides the City of Grand Forks the ability to attract new conventions and exhibitions that may have otherwise gone to different regions.
The Alerus Center will also be the new home of the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux football team.
Where: Grand Forks, North Dakota
When: February 2001
The numbers:
• 435,000 sq.ft. (40,410 m2)
• 22,000 seats for concerts
• 9,560-13,444 seats for athletic events
• 15 VIP suites
Who:
Ellerbe Becket, one of the oldest and largest design firms in the country, created the Alerus Center. The firm is responsible for some of Americas’ most recognizable sports cathedrals, including Bank One Ballpark (home of the Arizona Diamondbacks), MCI Center (home of the Washington Wizards and Caps), Olympic Stadium/Turner Field (site of the 1996 Summer Olympics and now home to the Atlanta Braves) and Conseco Fieldhouse (home of the NBA Indiana Pacers).
Compass is providing design review and pre-opening construction phase management services.
