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Berks County Convention Center Authority reports $19M in recent capital spending, credits Oak View Group management and ARPA support
Summary
The Berks County Convention Center Authority told commissioners it invested roughly $19 million in capital projects over five years, credited a new management contract with Oak View Group and highlighted a 25th-anniversary schedule and economic-impact figures including 363,000 attendees and more than $4 million in local purchasing.
The Berks County Convention Center Authority briefed the Berks County Commissioners on March 12 about its operations, capital investments and plans for the Santander Arena's 25th anniversary.
Michael Gumbar Jr., chair of the authority, told the board the authority is a joint county-city entity that owns and operates the Santander Arena, the Santander Performing Arts Center and, in recent years, the Reading Royals hockey team, which the authority purchased to keep the franchise in the city and county. "So in order to avoid that from happening, the Authority made the strategic decision to purchase the Royals to keep the team here in Berks County," Gumbar said.
Michelle Richards, the authority's treasurer, presented economic-impact figures for the most recent full reporting period: "Attendance was over 363,000 people" across 177 events; amusement tax revenue was $873,000 (down from a prior high of $1.2 million); parking revenue exceeded $727,000; and local business purchasing "exceeds $4 million." Richards said payroll and benefits for venue staff are "almost $6.6 million." She highlighted the arena's role as a regional center for Latino entertainment and cited a two-night Aventura engagement that "grossed over $3 million."
Board member Mike Ellerman summarized capital expenditures and recent projects. "Over the past five years, we have spent about $19 million in CapEx, and about 70% of that, more than $13 million, was expended in 2024 and 2025," Ellerman said. He listed significant recent investments and approximate costs as presented to the board, including ice-making equipment (about $2.4 million), replaced seating (about $2.4 million), suite remodels (about $1.4 million), HVAC and boiler work (about $1.2 million), a ribbon display (~$1 million) and other lighting, restroom and roof work. Ellerman said the authority also received federal/state assistance for shuttered venues in addition to local matching funds and that authority and city funds were important in making those projects possible.
Gumbar also told commissioners the authority recently changed its management contractor after an RFP process. "We did select OVG, or the Oak View Group," he said, noting Oak View Group became the authority's new management company and provided a capital contribution. David Farrar, general manager for Oak View Group, said the arena led Pennsylvania ticket sales in its capacity class and outlined a 25th-anniversary slate of acts and partnerships, noting upcoming shows and that "we currently have 10 arena events that we're going to announce for the fall."
Gumbar thanked the commissioners for American Rescue Plan Act funding that helped the venues survive pandemic-era shutdowns, and he asked the county to consider regular (for example, annual) reporting from the authority going forward. Chairman Linebacher thanked the delegation for the update and suggested the authority provide reports to the county on a recurring schedule.
The presentation was for information; no formal board action on authority governance or funding was taken during the meeting.
