Groundbreaking ceremony for new MEC center

MEC is located near the Grace Lutheran School on Baldy Ave. The school will be constructing the 40,000 square-foot event center.

It will feature a 28,000 square-foot open span floor to accommodate a variety of activities, indoor sports, trade shows, concerts, and community events. MEC will also house three full-sized basketball courts, locker rooms, restrooms, a concession area, and even medical rooms.

The Auditorium district board said the groundbreaking represents years of hard work by community leaders and members of the board.

The state legislation gave permission to the auditorium district to assess a 5 percent room tax from hotel and motel rentals in order to fund for construction and operations.

Room taxes are expected to generate nearly $10 million each year, which will pay the lease, staffing needs, and advertising and promotion for MEC.

The brand new event center is set to open Fall of 2016.