Sonnentag Event Center
The Sonnentag | |
 | |
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| Address | 1061 Menomonie Street Eau Claire, WI 54703 United States |
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| 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] |
| Type | Arena |
| Capacity | 5,000[6] 3,250 (indoor football) |
| Surface | 210'x85' (indoor football) |
| Current use | Basketball Volleyball Concerts |
| 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 | |
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| Website | |
| thesonnentag.com | |
The Sonnentag 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, which is planned to be demolished.[7]
Sporting events hosted by the Sonnentag include basketball and volleyball games. Apart from that, it is used for concerts.
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.[8]
Usage
[edit]Sports
[edit]The stadium will host the Eau Claire Axemen in The Arena League, expected to begin in June 2025. The league agreed to a three-year lease with the stadium. The Sonnentag is also used by the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire Blugolds as home venue for its basketball and volleyball teams.[9]
Other 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 (May 31, 2024). "Sonnentag Center now hiring, plans to open in July". WQOW. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ Knuth, Michael; Yang, Jesse (December 6, 2021). "Sonnentags' $70 million gift to UW-Eau Claire Foundation puts County Materials Complex on fast track". University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "CENTERS to lead sustainable operating initiatives for UWEC Sonnentag Center". CENTERS. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "CENTERS to lead operations of County Materials Complex for UW-Eau Claire". University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. August 3, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ Dachel, Felicity (April 18, 2024). "Spring UWEC graduation will be the last at Zorn Arena". WQOW. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ a b "The Sonnentag". University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ Zorn Arena one of four UWEC buildings approved for demolition by Kristen Shill on WQOW.com – Feb 28, 2025
- ^ Johnson, Gary (July 9, 2021). "Board of Regents votes to support Sonnentag Event Center and Field House". University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ Sonnentag Event Center on bluegolds.com (WECU Athletics)
