Perani Arena & Event Center Press |
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ABC NEWS 12 Perani Arena ready for Warriors debut FLINT (WJRT) -- (09/23/10) -- There will be plenty of pucks flying at Perani Arena this weekend. A new era of Flint hockey begins when the Michigan Warriors play their first three home games. Fans will also get a look at the improvements made throughout the arena. Media members got a preview today of the building improvements that fans will see tomorrow night. There are plenty of changes that Firland Management believes will encourage disenchanted hockey fans to give Perani Arena another chance. Over the summer, Firland Management partnered with the new Michigan Warriors junior team to put in close to $750,000 worth of renovations at the old rink on Lapeer and Averill. Warriors coach and co-owner Moe Mantha believes that people who attended Flint Generals games in the past will notice and appreciate the difference. "They're going to see a lot of big improvements, and we're not done. We're still gradually improving areas, and it's the whole idea of a new product on the ice and a new product in the stands." The Warriors hope the changes translate into ticket sales for this weekend's three-game home debut. The team isn't saying how many tickets have been sold, but opening night faces some challenges. "We're competing with high school football on a Friday night, and that's the nature of the beast," Mantha noted. Mantha also understands the challenge of attracting former Generals fans who might prefer pro hockey instead. "We're no different than any new store in Flint. All we're asking is just give us a chance." The Warriors play their first-ever home game Friday night against the Springfield Jr. Blues. There had been some complaints about the $20 ticket price for opening night. The Warriors have cut that price back down to $10 for most of those tickets. (Copyright ©2010 WJRT-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) |
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ARENA DIGEST Firland unveils Perani Arena renovations On the eve of the first Michigan Warriors (NAHL) game at Perani Arena, Firland Management unveiled renovations to the Flint (Mich.) arena, including upgraded concessions and better arena lighting. The renovations total came to almost $1 million. They included included updated food service equipment, refreshed concession counters, enhanced ice surface lighting, new concourse lighting, fresh paint and other aesthetic improvements in addition to nearly $500,000 in improvements to the arena’s roof. “We will continue to invest as we work to restore Perani Arena and Event Center to a point of pride for the Flint community,” said Firland Management CEO Jim Cain, who oversees operations at the facility. “We promised improvements and we’re already delivering them in the aesthetics and functionality of the Arena. We’re confident the people of Flint and the surrounding area will like what they see.” Perani Arena will host the opening game of the inaugural season of Michigan Warriors NAHL hockey in Flint on Friday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. Concession and food service improvements are highlighted by new countertops, new display menu boards and new food and beverage equipment, as well as new point of sale stations. Roof work began recently and is expected to continue through October. “Flint deserves a first-class entertainment venue,” Cain said. “We’re investing in Perani Arena and in the Flint community to make this a destination for all kinds of events, from hockey games to high school graduations and from trade shows to consumer expos.” |
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