Owners of the Long Beach Arena, ASM Global, have set aside $7 million for new seating as the venue prepares for the 2028 Olympic Games.
According to the Long Beach Post, the funding is part of ASM Global's seven-year agreement that the city approved in 2022, requiring at least $7 million to be put into the facilities by ASM Global. If an optional three-year extension is exercised at the end of the seven years, ASM Global would have to contribute another $3 million to repairs.
Most of the money will be spent on replacing the arena's 1960s-era seating. Roughly $3 million has been designated for retractable seating that would replace the arena's current riser system. Another $2.5 million is proposed to be spent on replacing the fixed seating in the arena. A city memo said that about 30 percent of the currently fixed seats are taken out of service because they’re in disrepair, which results in potential lost revenue. About 10,200 seats could be upgraded through the proposal.
“Quite frankly, the condition of the seating does not meet the standard or expectation of promoters or their guests,” Johnny Vallejo, a business operations manager for the city’s Economic Development Department told the City Council on Tuesday.
Roughly $1.4 million is being proposed for improvements to the stage and sound systems inside the arena as well as purchasing upgraded folding chairs.
Long Beach has been tapped for multiple Olympic events in 2028, and the arena is scheduled to host handball while the “Elephant Lot” will host BMX and water polo competitions, according to the Olympics website.
Aside from the $7 million currently set aside, the aging arena will also need repairs to its roof and structural upgrades. Part of the city’s five-year “Elevate 28” budget proposal unveiled earlier this month includes the potential for the city to spend an additional $52 million on facility upgrades, which could require the city to issue bonds.
