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Convention and Arena Authority reports strong rebound, updates amphitheater and soccer stadium plans
Summary
The Grand Rapids Kent County Convention and Arena Authority told the Kent County Finance Committee it posted near-record results this fiscal year, highlighted a volunteer concession program that funneled more than $1.5 million to local nonprofits, and previewed a 12,000‑capacity amphitheater and an MLS Next Pro team at a new soccer stadium.
Rich McKeon, a county appointee to the Grand Rapids Kent County Convention and Arena Authority, and Rick Wynn presented a year-end review to the Kent County Board of Commissioners Finance Committee, reporting that the Authority’s three facilities — the Van Andel Arena (the Rink), DeVos Performance Hall and the DeVos Place convention center — have largely rebounded from the COVID downturn and are approaching their best years financially.
The presentation emphasized community and economic benefits from events and venue operations. “The Rink continues to be one of the busiest little buildings in North America,” McKeon said, and he noted that the arena hosts three tenants: the Griffins, a G League team (referred to in the presentation as G League Gold) and the RISE professional volleyball team. The Authority highlighted headline acts including Alan Jackson and two sold‑out nights of Billy Strings.
McKeon told the committee the Authority’s volunteer concession program produced more than $1.5 million in cash for local nonprofits in the last fiscal year and was approaching $800,000 as of May. He said the venues aim to secure touring shows that treat Grand Rapids as a top‑tier stop on national tours and that artist partnerships sometimes include charitable donations in the artist’s name.
The presenters said DeVos Performance Hall remains busy with its four arts tenants — opera, ballet, symphony and Broadway Grand Rapids — and that the convention center has largely recovered, though convention bookings require longer lead times. McKeon said the three buildings are operationally and capital self‑sufficient, a status he described as rare for venues of this type.
On new projects, the Authority said an outdoor amphitheater with roughly 12,000 capacity is taking shape; McKeon said the site already has about “half a dozen to 10 shows” booked for its early seasons. The soccer stadium project has announced an MLS Next Pro franchise to play there; presenters said team name, logo and colors are expected in the coming months.
Commissioners asked about waste and sustainability at the larger campus of venues. McLeod asked for details on recycling and composting; McKeon and Wynn said the Authority is separating cardboard, cans and garbage (they noted county waste currently goes to an energy‑from‑waste facility), recycling cooking oil and piloting composting at the arena and amphitheater. They acknowledged front‑of‑house contamination in recycling streams as a practical challenge and said they will provide more detail in future presentations.
On parking and access, the Authority said much downtown parking is complementary to venue needs because weekday office use differs from evening and weekend event demand, and that future developments adjacent to the amphitheater and stadium are expected to include parking. Presenters also described plans to use Grand Valley State University (GVSU) lots, add a pedestrian bridge to the amphitheater site and build a skywalk over train tracks to improve access to the soccer stadium.
Staffing and operations were discussed: presenters said ASM Global‑managed operations currently employ about 80 full‑time equivalent staff and expect to grow to roughly 90–95 FTEs as new venues come online, while continuing to rely heavily on part‑time and event staff. The Authority said accessibility audits and consultations with disability advocates informed design work for the amphitheater and stadium, and that sound consultants engaged by Grand Action and the city have been part of the design and permitting processes.
Commissioners also asked about trends in the consumer‑show business after the recent announcement that the West Michigan Golf Show would not return; presenters said consumer shows overall did well this year but that some sectors — like golf exhibitions — face exhibitor consolidation and viability challenges.
The presentation closed with commissioners thanking the Authority for the update. The Finance Committee received the report and had no formal vote tied to the presentation.
