Northwest Arkansas Faces Arena Mania

There is an arena going up in Bentonville and a baseball stadium slated for Springdale. But there’s more.

Springdale is also looking to build its own multi-purpose arena. This arena would likely sit near the stadium, making the site a sports complex.

But still, there’s more.

We hear there is even another arena in the works. Another investment group has made a verbal agreement for property on the county line (between Benton and Washington counties) to be used for an arena. Details are fuzzy, but the plans are for a 40-acre development, and architectural sketches have been drawn up. This arena would sure enough be a home for a sports team, or two.

Why are sports venues so popular? A 2004 University of Arkansas study found one football game, against the University of Georgia, had a financial impact of $25.44 million on the City of Fayetteville. Seventy percent of the respondents were from Arkansas, so 30 percent brought their money from other states. Even though not all opponents will draw such a large crowd, that is just one game.

Cities and private investors alike have taken notice and realized that sports and entertainment can be big money.

But, we wonder if the area can support three new arenas and a ballpark without taking the wind out of some Razorbacks games.