Duneland Arena Would be a ‘Landmark’
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe founder of a nonprofit organization proposing a $65 million arena in northwest Indiana is hoping to attract a minor league hockey team as its primary tenant. Paul Boardman says the project would be privately funded and unlike any other in the state. Duneland Family Sports and Entertainment's plans call for Duneland Arena to be a net-plus facility, producing more energy through renewable sources than it takes in.
Boardman says if qualifications are met, the mixed-used arena would be the largest LEED platinum, net-plus arena in the country.
September 3, 2013
News Release
CHESTERTON, Ind. – Duneland Family Sports and Entertainment, a division of Duneland Sports Authority, an Indiana non-profit Corporation, has positively concluded a six month feasibility study entitled Game ON! DSA aims to construct and professionally operate a multi-purpose sports and entertainment venue in Northwest Indiana, Porter County, currently entitled Duneland Arena. Duneland Family Sports and Entertainment was established in 2012 to determine the feasibility of constructing and successfully operating a multi-purpose professionally managed state of the art LEED platinum toward net-plus family friendly multi-purpose entertainment and sports venue. This project is led, owned and operated by non-profit Duneland Family Sports and Entertainment. DSA's mission is to: Build and operate a multi-purpose venue that is LEED platinum toward net-plus, sustainable, green, ethical and transparent. Provide family-friendly entertainment and sports to Northwest Indiana and greater Chicagoland.
Some features will include: Contract with local venders and retain financial resources and revenues in the community. Source personnel locally through educational career conduits. Source concessions with a local supply-chain. Support local sports initiatives with revenues above operating costs. Headquartered in Chesterton, Indiana, DSA is led by Founder and Chairman Paul Boardman. Together with a consortium of local, state and national interested parties, DSA will closely coordinate regarding key strategic decisions on capital partnerships, target markets, and new projects.
“Duneland Arena will be the first arena to achieve LEED platinum certification. LEED platinum is a good starting goal. We will push the design envelope toward net-plus closing the gap of hypothetical to commercialization. Duneland Arena, a state of the art LEED platinum-net plus facility, will be a landmark destination economic catalyst estimated to create 250 immediate jobs and 1,500 long-term jobs. Game ON! is in line with Northwest Indiana's 2030 economic and quality of life initiative goals to create a global model high output green manufacturing and high quality of life Northwest Indiana community,” said Mr. Boardman.
DSA combines its breath of talent and background and will seek private capital for Duneland Arena. DSA's initiative will foster additional development and investment opportunities for investment partners. DSA is combining strengths to allow partnerships with a consortium of Northwest Indiana organizations to significantly expand economic growth, sports and entertainment. In addition, Game ON! offers exciting new opportunities for investors to partner in this development long-term which is focused on community-enhancing economic development in thriving and forward-looking Northwest Indiana.
Northwest Indiana is the second largest populous community in Indiana next to Indianapolis. Game ON! is positioned for Duneland Arena to provide as many as 120 events per calendar year ranging from concerts to professional and amateur sports. Duneland Arena, as America's first LEED platinum toward net-plus venue in its class, conceived, designed and built multi-purpose venue represents a significant step forward for Northwest Indiana and America's sustainable goals.
“As a minimum goal, Duneland Arena will be the first LEED platinum arena. This is a significant challenge that requires thorough LEED platinum design and integration from concept to use. In addition, attempts will be made to achieve net-plus status,” Mr. Boardman stated.
As background, energy-plus or net-plus building produces more energy from renewable energy sources, over the course of a year, than it imports from external sources. DSA is the current lead for Duneland Arena project Game ON! This includes a hands on role to develop locally owned professional sports franchises. In addition to its investment leading Game On!, DSA will partner with commercial real estate developers to ensure adequate accommodations. Total Northwest Indiana investment including Duneland Arena and accommodations is estimated at $115 million.
“DSA's vision and execution is well-positioned to be an enduring supplier of opportunity to Northwest Indiana,” said Mr. Boardman of DSA. “Our overall approach is to do the right thing for our citizens. Our goal is to provide excellent entertainment value and bring resources into our community. We are looking forward to a landmark venue contextual to the natural beauty of the Lake Michigan duneland shore that leads arena technology.” Mr. Boardman added.
Project Game ON! represents Stewardship that is: Green, Sustainable, Locally Sourced, Transparent and Ethical. To ensure these goals are met, DSA is partnering with established leading LEED architects, planners, engineers, researchers and universities to ensure a fully integrated state of the art venue from concept to use. “We have a vision for long-term landmark development, investment, management that serves our community,” said Mr. Boardman.
Game ON! is family friendly sports and entertainment with representative events such as: College, high school, youth hockey, soccer, la crosse, basketball, sports tournaments and a growing list of sports- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sports. Family friendly concerts, dog shows, circus, Disney, Sesame, ice capades, community events, trade shows, corporate, religious and cultural events. DSA brand will denote the best-in-class Northwest Indiana sports and entertainment platform, and we believe this combination has unmatched potential to develop a stellar portfolio addressing our communities sports and entertainment needs.
This is a logical succession of what the DSA leadership started generations ago while returning to its roots as a long-term family friendly operation that allows it to maintain deep ties to the community it serves. History unites DSA leadership with a six generational history in Northwest Indiana since the mid 19th century. The shared vision is reflected in DSA's leadership. With highly-specialized expertise in food-beverage, entertainment, sports, project management, LEED, local needs and partnering, DSA has the breadth and strength to envision and successfully execute project Game ON! for Northwest Indiana and greater Chicagoland.
DSA gains further competitive capabilities through its national capital markets scope, access and knowledge. “DSA has the flexibility and resources to lead a LEED platinum-net plus design team and manage a team of facility professionals while taking advantage of new opportunities, with a view to the long term,” Mr. Boardman noted.
DSA will capitalize for our community on substantial location advantages and opportunities as a crossroads of America to bring best-in-class sports and entertainment. Porter County is situated 65 miles from approximately 11 million residents and 150 miles from approximately 15 million residents. In addition to serving local needs, Duneland Arena's proposed capacities provide growth and an economic development opportunity with: Concerts: 5,300 (half-house), 6,400 (3/4 house) 7,790 (End-stage) 10,350 (center-stage) Basketball: 9,000 Ice Hockey: 8,400 (9,200 with standing room). Duneland Sports Authority is an Indiana non-profit corporation doing business as Duneland Family Sports and Entertainemnt. Duneland Family Sports