More Local

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
• Former Marine to serve two years in jail for killing Albuquerque robber
• Wilson-Pearce battle for U.S. Senate exemplifies party's disparity

MOST RECENT TRIB STORIES

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
  08:48 a.m., February 25, 2008
• Congressman is indicted
  08:37 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Series of attacks target Green Zone
  08:36 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Iran is defying U.N., agency says
  08:35 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Waterboarding approval probed
  08:34 a.m., February 23, 2008

TRIB IN THE BLOGOSPHERE*

• Ty Murray Invitational thrills fans in Albuquerque
• Albuquerque Old Town
• Is Rome Burning?
• Ominous Skies
• The Road to Invalidation

*Note: The Tribune does not create and is not responsible for the blogosphere's headlines and stories. These links to blogs talking about ABQTrib.com are automatically generated. Use them at your own risk.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

SHARE THIS STORY [?]

RIO RANCHO — A Rio Rancho arena for community events is operating at a loss as it approaches its first anniversary.

The $47 million Santa Ana Star Center, which opened in October 2006, has been the site for more than 100 events ranging from car and motorcycle shows and about 40 ice hockey games to music concerts and community events.

Some events sold out, but lackluster crowds at hockey games dragged down overall attendance figures. Attendance at the New Mexico Scorpions games averaged less than 3,000 over the season, said city finance director Dick Kristof.

Global Entertainment, the parent company of Encore Facility Management which runs the center, projected the 6,500-seat complex would generate $1.6 million in its first year toward repaying the bonds Rio Rancho sold to build it. Instead, it lost $241,000.

Kristof said city officials expected the center to operate at a loss in its first year and are optimistic going forward.

The city has a financial stake in the center, issuing $36 million in revenue bonds toward the cost of construction. Sandoval County added $8 million. The rest of the money came from Rio Rancho's general fund and from interest on the bond money, said city contracts administrator Steve Ruger.

The city is putting in about $100,000 a month from gross receipts tax revenue to help pay off the bonds.