Groundbreaking, Block Party Kick Off 10 Days Of Activities At New Detroit Red Wings Arena
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Officials are holding a 10-day celebration to mark the groundbreaking of a new 18,000-seat hockey arena and 45-block entertainment complex in Detroit.
The ceremony is scheduled for Thursday afternoon just west of Woodward Avenue, between Sibley Street and Sproat Street. Gov. Rick Snyder, Mayor Mike Duggan and Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, are all expected to speak.
The big fun starts at 6 p.m. when the District Detroit Block Party kicks off at the intersection of Woodward Avenue and Sibley Street.
The free, family-friendly event will feature Detroit Red Wings Experience games, including a bounce house and several inflatable interactive games to give fans the opportunity to test their hockey skills. Guests can also enjoy Detroit-area food trucks and live music from local artists Dan Rafferty Band, and Larry Lee and Back In The Day Band.
The official Red Wings YouTube channel posted a video illustrating the significance for Olympia Entertainment and the Detroit Red Wings. The 2:24 video shows dramatic footage high above, outside and inside the Fox Theater, Hockeytown Cafe and Joe Louis Arena. The video ends with an aerial view of the site where District Detroit will be and fades to the artist rendering. The video's description explains the project as, "... the next chapter of the rebirth of Detroit ..."
The community will also have the opportunity to skate on the official Red Wings synthetic ice rink at the future site of the new arena from Saturday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 5.
Skating on the synthetic ice is free to the public and complimentary skate rentals will be provided. Detroit Red Wings Experience games will also be set up on-site for fans to enjoy. The synthetic ice will be available from 6-9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on weekends.
A limited number of free parking spots will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis in a designated lot at the intersection of Cass Avenue and Temple Street.
The new hockey arena is expected to open in 2017.
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