SAVE MART CENTER WILL ATTRACT MORE

SAVE MART CENTER WILL ATTRACT
MORE, BIGGER CONCERTS TO FRESNO

Contact: Mark Aydelotte or Shirley Armbruster (559) 278-2795

Fresno, Jan. 30 -- Central California residents will enjoy "blockbuster" entertainment acts that typically bypass this market when the Save Mart Center opens on the California State University, Fresno campus, according to entertainment industry experts.

In fact, Gary D. Smith, chief operating officer of POLLSTAR magazine, thinks the number of major concerts in Fresno will at least double.

"Two recent concerts alone that skipped Fresno were Tina Turner and Tim McGraw/Faith Hill," said Smith. "Both were sell outs at the Bakersfield Centennial Garden. Neither of these productions could have played in Fresno due to production logistics that, in a modern facility like the Save Mart Center, would otherwise not be a problem." Fresno-based POLLSTAR is the concert industry's leading trade publication.

The Save Mart Center will be able to accommodate up to 18,000 spectators for certain sporting and entertainment events and will be the largest venue of this type in the San Joaquin Valley. Over one million spectators will visit the facility each year and attend a variety of events including sporting events, concerts, family shows, and cultural events. The Center is approximately 450,000 square feet and will contain 32 private suites, premium Arena Builder seats, exclusive hospitality areas, dressing rooms, and athletic training facilities. The project site is located off Shaw Avenue adjacent to a State Route 168 interchange.

Bob Cavalieri, vice president of Philadelphia-based SMG, also expects the Save Mart Center to dramatically increase the interest of "big blockbuster acts" - Britney Spears, for example -- in coming to Fresno.

"A new, bigger venue puts Fresno more on the map in terms of entertainment," said Cavalieri. "It puts you in the game."

SMG is the world's largest public assembly facility management company. It manages venues such as the Long Beach Arena, The Arena in Oakland and the Compaq Center in Houston.

"The Fresno market is underserved in terms of facilities, compared to most metropolitan areas around the country," said Cavalieri. "Selland's limited seating capacity is perhaps keeping some of the bigger touring artists and entertainment events from playing the Fresno market."

Unlike a decade ago, top touring stars limit their number of play dates - perhaps only 50 compared to 150 previously -- so they want large venues where they can maximize their bottom line, Cavalieri said. "It's the opportunity for a bigger payday that attracts them," he said.

Gary Bongiovanni, publisher and editor of POLLSTAR, says the Save Mart Center will return Fresno to the days of being a stop for major concerts tours.

"In the early '80s Fresno was drawing 15,000 to 20,000 people for events like Journey, The Police and Foreigner. Since Ratcliffe Stadium was closed to events of this type there has never been an adequate facility to host crowds of this capacity," Bongiovanni said.

"There can be no doubt a metro market the size of Fresno has tremendous potential that has not been exploited due to lack of a proper facility," he said.

Bongiovanni and Cavalieri both said the Save Mart Center also will attract big family entertainment shows, cultural events and a variety of sports events.

Fresno State spokesman Mark Aydelotte said the university is already getting requests for bookings in the Save Mart Center from a variety of entertainment sources.

###

Featured: Faculty Who Energize Fresno State		Save Mart Center - Search
Maps: Heading to a campus event? -- Use our online maps