Sames Auto Arena
Exterior of venue (c.2008)
Former namesLaredo Arena (planning/construction)
Laredo Entertainment Center (2002–10)
Laredo Energy Arena (2010–18)
Address6700 Arena Blvd
Laredo, TX 78041-1949
Coordinates27°33′29.70″N 99°27′09.66″W / 27.5582500°N 99.4526833°W / 27.5582500; -99.4526833
OwnerCity of Laredo
OperatorSMG
Capacity8,065
Construction
Broke groundJune 28, 2001
OpenedOctober 17, 2002
Construction cost$36.5 million
($60.3 million in 2022 dollars[1])
Architect
General contractor
  • Beers Construction
  • Reed Construction
Tenants
Laredo Bucks (CHL) (2002–12)
Laredo Law (af2) (2004)
Laredo Lobos (IFL/af2) (2006–07)
Laredo Rattlesnakes (LSFL) (2012–13)
Laredo Bucks (USACHL) (2018)
Website
Venue Website

The Sames Auto Arena (formerly known as the Laredo Entertainment Center and Laredo Energy Arena) is a multi-purpose arena in Laredo, Texas. It is located next to Bob Bullock Loop (US 59/Loop 20), on the northeastern side of Laredo. Within the Sames Auto Arena complex, there are several hotels within a walking distance. The Laredo International Airport is also nearby.[2]

History

The City of Laredo funded the $36.5 million project through a one-quarter percent sales tax increase that was approved by Laredo voters on August 12, 2000, with the facility's groundbreaking taking place in June 2001. The facility opened in October 2002. With 32,000 square feet (3,000 m2) of continuous open floor space, the Sames Auto Arena has the largest indoor convention space in South Texas. The 178,000 square foot facility has a seating capacity that can be expanded up to 9,622 for concerts, with 14 luxury suites, six meeting rooms and a private club.

The facility's management company, SMG, oversees all aspects of the arena including operations, concessions, scheduling, ticketing, and marketing. The arena sits on 25 acres (10 ha) at Jacaman Road and Bob Bullock Loop (US 59/Loop 20) – property that Arena Ventures donated to the City of Laredo. Arena Ventures owns 35 additional acres around the site that is currently being developed with hotels and office parks, specialized retail stores and restaurants, and a $1.5 million water feature with fountains, a boardwalk and quarter-mile jogging track.

In 2010, the previously-named Laredo Entertainment Center[3] was renamed the Laredo Energy Arena after Laredo Energy purchased the venue's naming rights.[4] Eight years later, Sames Auto Group purchased the naming rights to the arena and the venue is now known as the Sames Auto Arena.[5]

Naming history
  • Laredo Entertainment Center (October 17, 2002—March 16, 2010)
  • Laredo Energy Arena (March 17, 2010—July 16, 2018)
  • Sames Auto Arena (July 17, 2018—present)

References

  1. ↑ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Technical Information". Laredo Energy Arena. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  3. ↑ Broughton, David (November 25, 2002). "Laredo Entertainment Center". Sports Business Daily. Advance Publications. 6 (52). Archived from the original on September 30, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  4. ↑ Rutland, Joe (March 21, 2010). "LEC turns into Laredo Energy Arena". Laredo Morning Times. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on September 30, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  5. ↑ "Arena officially changes its name to Sames Auto Arena". KGNS-TV. Gray Television. July 17, 2018. Archived from the original on September 30, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
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