Chad Smith, the new general manager for the Tyson Event Center, asked the council to approve a revised funding request to focus on the arena roof replacement and related engineering and contingency costs.

"I think our ask would be, if we're focusing solely on the roof, would be $684,295. That'll cover F.E.H. engineering fees for it, the actual roof replacement ... and then we also need some contingency money for what insulation we know we're gonna have some due to the leaks," Chad Smith said, describing the base bid, electrical work for heat tape circuits and a $100,000 contingency for wet insulation and potential damaged roof drains.

Council and staff discussion: Council members and Tyson staff also discussed other planned maintenance items in the facility fund, including annual maintenance replacements (chairs, cameras) and longer-term projects such as the west stair investigation and patio/upper-west premium seating concepts. Nick Palmiati, Tyson staff, said the west-stair egress is a primary safety egress that needs study: "It's a primary egress for the building, so you know, there's safety aspects to that." Tyson leaders also highlighted recent guest-experience investments: new magnetometers for faster ingress and a clear-bag policy deployed earlier in the season.

Why it matters: The roof replacement request is a near-term capital need tied to event scheduling: staff asked to start work after the NAIA tournament. Council members asked about contingency, timing and whether larger facility design items (premium seating, patios) should be pursued in later phases.

Ending: Staff will bring the technical change to wrap-up that adjusts the original ask and will return with timeline and procurement details; the council encouraged work that improves guest flow and security camera coverage while deferring larger amenity investments for later planning.