WesBanco Arena & Capitol Theatre

anything. We’re doing a lot of research on our end, keeping a lot of data analytics, just so that we can understand the business and the market in a better way than we have in the past.” “We want to make sure that we offer a variety of events, to serve the community as a whole,” adds Knox. ENHANCEMENTS AND MODERNIZATION Facility improvements have been a major focus, particularly at the Capitol Theatre. Knox reports that a renovation of the theater’s fly system, which controls the raising and lowering of lighting, curtains, and drops, is set to be completed in the fall of 2024. “That was about an $800,000 renovation, it included some ARPA funding,” he discloses. “When that is complete, it will be much more up-to-date with industry standards.” Repairs are also being made to the historic venue, including plasterwork. “It is an old theater, it has had some wear and tear over the years and just needed to be brought up to date. So, we have a group working on that.” Furthermore, security has been enhanced with the installation of a Chia system, which streamlines the screening process for event attendees. “That was a huge step for us. It makes the process much smoother for our fans,” maintains Tucker. “It’s seamless, as you just walk straight through, instead of wandering. A lot of people who weren’t used to it, they understood it, and we didn’t get very much pushback.” MAKING A COMEBACK The past year showcased several noteworthy events at both venues.The theater saw sold-out performances by comedians Jerry Seinfeld, and Nate Bargatze, as well as a packed house for REO Speedwagon. “Our holiday season last year was successful with multiple shows, including Kenny G,” Tucker illustrates. “The community loved it, and they came from a broad geographic area for that.” The arena recently welcomed back Disney on Ice and Toughest Monster Truck, both drawing large crowds after several years of absence. “We had phenomenal attendance over both of those shows,” she boasts. Professional Bull Riding (PBR), a beloved 4 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 09

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx