Saginaw Co. approves Dow Event Center updates ahead of Memorial Cup

SAGINAW, Mich. (WNEM) - As the Saginaw Spirit head back on the ice Thursday, April 20 in game four of the playoff series, fans can look forward to more improvements at the Dow Event Center.

Even though the renovations were spurred by the international hockey tournament, they’ll benefit the community for years to come.

“That will, in many different ways, enhance the experience as people come into the facility,” Dow Event Center General Manager Steve St. John said.

With the Memorial Cup secured, the venue will undergo some renovations to meet the standards to host such a major event. St. John said he is grateful for the county’s support.

“It was great of the county to step up and approve those funds for this project to happen,” St. John said.

That approval came down at Tuesday night’s board meeting on April 18, allocating $3 million in structural modifications to the Dow Event Center.

Craig Goslin, the president of the Saginaw Spirit, said that’s money the county will make right back.

“It’s a $25 million economic impact to our community, so it’s a great investment in our community,” Goslin said.

Upgrades will include the construction of elevators, increasing the number of team locker rooms from three to four, four additional VIP suites, added restrooms, and renovations to the media suite. Modifications to the existing infrastructure and equipment within the venue will be made as well.

“Basically, they’re taking an arena that was built in 1972 and modernizing into a way that’s going to be very special for our community for many years to come,” Goslin said.

This is why the renovations will benefit the area beyond just hosting the Memorial Cup playoffs.

“We’re putting the Dow Event Center on the map in a big-time way for hockey and for other athletic-related events that are going to happen in riverfront Saginaw,” Goslin said.

“It’ll enhance the amount and the types of events that we’ll be able to get here at the Dow Event Center that we weren’t able to get before,” St. John said.

Renovations will begin as soon as this hockey season ends and will go until May 2024.

The project is estimated to cost around $8.6 million, and the money will come out of an $11 million fund.

The updates were approved in a 9-2 vote.

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