ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Officials at Alaska-Anchorage are getting ready to show off their new arena.
The Alaska Dispatch News reports the $110 million, 192,000-square-foot Alaska Airlines Center will officially open next month with a volleyball tournament. But it will also host its first concert when the Southern rock band Alabama Shakes performs Sept. 13.
The arena is most often talked about as a 5,000-seat sports venue. The Great Alaska Shootout will be played there this year instead of Sullivan Arena, and basketball and volleyball teams will call the arena home.
But there also will be 10 to 12 non-sports events, like concerts and speakers. Even the old notion of stadium food will be taken up a notch with a restaurant serving wine, beer and food like artisan pizzas.
The first practice ever is underway now at the @akaircenter with the @uaavolleyball team on the court. pic.twitter.com/PILP48wxEm
— UAA Seawolves (@UAASeawolves) August 12, 2014
