Sonnentag Event Center
The Sonnentag | |
 | |
| Address | 1061 Menomonie Street Eau Claire, WI 54703 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 44°47′59″N 91°31′21″W / 44.79971°N 91.52257°W |
| Owner | Eau Claire Community Complex[2] |
| Operator | CENTERS [3][4] |
| Capacity | 5,000[6] 3,250 (indoor football) |
| Surface | 210' x 85' (indoor football) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | Spring 2022 |
| Opened | July 15, 2024[1] |
| Construction cost | $110 million[5] |
| Project manager | Ayres Associates[4] |
| General contractor | Market & Johnson[4] |
| Tenants | |
| UWEC Blugolds men's basketball (WIAC) (2024-present) UWEC Blugolds women's basketball (WIAC) (2024-present) Eau Claire Axemen (TAL) (2025-present) | |
| Website | |
| www | |
Sonnentag Event Center is a multipurpose arena in Eau Claire, Wisconsin located near the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire's campus. The stadium opened in 2024. The stadium replaced the Zorn Arena.
History
[edit]In 2014, alumni John and Carolyn Sonnentag gave more than 25 acres of land along the Chippewa River to the UW-Eau Claire Foundation. The UW-Eau Claire Foundation also accepted a $70 million gift from the Sonnentags and their family foundation in 2021. These gifts were intended to help the university replace Zorn Arena and provide value to the community.[4]
On July 9, 2021, the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents authorized UWEC to lease space at the arena for 20 years with a 10-year renewal option.[7]
Arena Usage
[edit]Sports
[edit]The stadium will host the Eau Claire Jammers in The Arena League, expected to begin in June 2025. The league agreed to a three-year lease with the stadium.
Events
[edit]The arena is able to accommodate all types of events. The facility will be 172,502 square feet and designed for trade shows, concerts, and competitions.
John and Carolyn Sonnentag Fieldhouse
[edit]The John and Carolyn Sonnetag Fieldhouse is an 81,300 square-foot space that features a 120-yard artificially turfed field.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ Mohr, Toby (31 May 2024). "Sonnentag Center now hiring, plans to open in July". WQOW. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ Knuth, Michael; Yang, Jesse (6 December 2021). "Sonnentags' $70 million gift to UW-Eau Claire Foundation puts County Materials Complex on fast track". University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
- ^ "CENTERS to lead sustainable operating initiatives for UWEC Sonnentag Center". CENTERS. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d "CENTERS to lead operations of County Materials Complex for UW-Eau Claire". University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
- ^ Dachel, Felicity (18 April 2024). "Spring UWEC graduation will be the last at Zorn Arena". WQOW. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
- ^ a b "The Sonnentag". University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
- ^ Johnson, Gary (9 July 2021). "Board of Regents votes to support Sonnentag Event Center and Field House". University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Retrieved 20 May 2024.