With construction on schedule for the Sept. 5 opening of its new arena, the Kenan Center is now looking for input on future programs through an online survey.
Kenan Executive Director Bill Patti said his team wants to bring people of all ages together to explore, get minds thinking, and bodies playing. All community members are encouraged to take part in the survey, located at https://form.jotform.com/261453309122045 .
“We would like to see what adults are interested in, and what programs they would like for the new arena,” Patti said. “We are able to schedule leagues, programs, classes, open gym hours — really, you name it, we’re looking for people to tell us if they’re interested in doing it. We are going to have adult basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and soccer that will start in the fall in the evening. In the winter, we’re looking to potentially add kickball and cornhole.” Patti said local teachers have inquired about program options, and various fitness and yoga classes will be part of the upcoming schedule.
Patti said Kenan Center staff are open to new activities that haven’t been done before.
“We have a full art studio, so we’re trying to see if people want painting, or sculpture or jewelry-making,” he said. “And multigenerational stuff, too. We’ll do a lot of senior programs during the day while the kids are in school.”
Patti said the center can accommodate most creative pursuits, and can reach out to their network of arts and recreation leaders as instructors.
“Theater or improv classes – we’d be interested in doing that for adults,” he said. “We are interested in expanding into music. That fits really well with our mission. We’ll dabble with dance-fitness. We’ve booked a Latin jazz dance class.”
The new 64,200-square-foot civic arena under construction next to the original facility cost $17 million. Patti has plans to operate it more than 340 days a year and attract more than 200,000 visitors through concerts, festivals, conferences, and sporting events, to generate more than $20 million in economic activity. The venue’s signature 100 American Craftsmen expo attracted a full complement of artisan exhibitors for the first time in several years, Patti said. For large-scale events, Kenan staff have met with organizations to explore hosting a wedding expo, RV and boat show, animatronic dinosaur exhibition, a volleyball tournament, and other sports competitions.
“Once we’re open, we feel like people will continue booking,” Patti said. “We should be pretty full by the 11th month mark. A lot of the first year will be experimentation.”
One of the experiments will be hosting Buffalo Bills watch parties on Sundays.
“We’ll have our bar and food going,” he said of the new arena. “Kids will be able to go to the bounce house during the event.”
For the opening week of the civic arena, the Kenan team plans to feature free open houses, demonstration lessons, and open gym access.
“We’ll do some music but not major concerts, said Lea Sobieraski, Kenan’s assistant director. “We have to make sure the Montessori school is up and running.”
Patti said they will plan for two large concerts in the first year of opening.
“We’re looking for groups with national recognition,” he said, most likely in the classic rock and retro pop genres.
Sobieraski said the new multi-purpose facility is intended to take a wellness approach to arts and recreation rather than just focus on sports.
Marcus Wyche, 2nd Ward alderman, who has coached youth football for years, said recreational programming is essential to community well-being.
“I think it’s very important to have a program that is available for all parties,” he said. “It’s hard to find a babysitter in today’s world. So anytime you can have a program that has an area for children and an area for adults, you need that. Anytime you’re able to do that with family or friends, it helps people bond together. I’m a father, so my kids play soccer and track. I’m all for the chance to see them succeed and build bonds with other kids. I’m all on board for the Kenan and the programming.”