OVG sets rolling consultations on new arena

Article posted by Coliseum, December 5^th, 2019

Image: OVG

The Los Angeles-based Oak View Group (OVG) has set rolling a second-round consultations on proposals for a new arena which will probably come up at the Etihad Campus in East Manchester, UK.

Oak View Group International (OVG Intl.) – the American global advisory, development and investment company for the sports and live entertainment industries – will be part of Coliseum Summit EUROPE, March 18-19, to be held at Ascot Racecourse, UK.

The consultation period will run till December 16. The latest proposals will be shared online allowing local residents to voice their opinions on a hotline devoted especially for the purpose if they are unable to attend the sessions.

To study the viability of building the new arena, OVG held four consultation events in October to share initial ideas and get an insight into what the community aspires.

Recently, the OVG held second round of drop-in consultation meetings across East Manchester.

Mark Donnelly, Chief Operating Officer of OVG International, commented, “A world-class arena has to work for the community so continual dialogue to understand priorities and concerns is a vital part of our feasibility process. A clear objective is that a new arena must deliver a range of training and job opportunities for local residents, especially for young people.”

He further commented, “We also know that sustainable transport and venue management plans that minimize any impact to the community on event days are key priorities. During this next stage of consultations, we will provide an update on work underway to address community priorities, and we look forward to further feedback and inputs from East Manchester residents and businesses.”

Oak View Group has officially confirmed it hopes to bring a major new concert venue, which would rival SMG’s Manchester Arena, to Manchester City’s Etihad Campus in Eastlands. If everything goes as per plan, it would be OVG’s first in the UK.

Feasibility studies for the new facility are being carried out in collaboration with Manchester City FC owner City Football Group, whose preferred location would be the Etihad Campus – the site of the club’s ground, Etihad Stadium – in Eastlands, in the east of Manchester, Britain’s second-most populous city.

In a statement, OVG says it is working with City Football Group “as part of its commitment to continuing the growth of Eastlands and the Etihad Campus as a thriving community and world-leading sporting and leisure destination”.

OVG’s Chief Executive Leiweke said, “Manchester is an amazing city with a proud music and sporting history, and one that we believe would see substantial benefits from a new arena. East Manchester, in particular, has a strong track record in entertainment and hosting major events.”

Leiweke further stated, “Over the last two decades, Manchester has consistently ranked in the top five global cities for arena events. A new world-class arena would create thousands of skilled jobs, apprenticeship and training programs, and generate significant additional revenue for businesses in the city.”

“Understanding the priorities of the community will be a critical part of any proposal and we are delighted to be working closely with City Football Group as we begin this initial phase of consultation,” adds Leiweke.

Continue to follow Coliseum for latest updates on venues business news. Coliseum is dedicated towards building the best global community of sports and entertainment venue executives and professionals creating better and more profitable venues.