Luzerne County Convention Center Authority Signs Two-Year Lease with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers
March 20, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers News Release
(Wilkes-Barre) The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers Arena2 football team and SMG, the world leader in facilities management, are pleased to announce that the Luzerne County Convention Center Authority has signed a new lease that keeps the team in town for at least two more years.
"We are pleased to have an agreement in place to retain the Pioneers as tenants of Wachovia Arena," said Rebecca Bonnevier, General Manager of SMG, the facility management company at Wachovia Arena.
The Pioneers, of the af2 indoor football league, began play at Wachovia Arena in April, 2002. In 2007 the team was purchased by Philadelphia-area businessman Cosmo Denicola.
The contract takes effect with the start of the 2008 season in April, and continues through the conclusion of the 2009 season. The lease includes as three-year renewal option for the 2010-2012 seasons.
The new contract is the result of several months' hard work between the Luzerne County Convention Center Authority, including new chairman Patrick Judge, the Pioneers, and SMG.
Great teamwork made this deal possible. "All parties will benefit from the goodwill and synergy created throughout the negotiation process", stated Pioneers owner Cosmo DeNicola.
The Pioneers' first home game of the 2008 season comes on April 11 at 7:00 p.m. against Mahoning Valley. The Pioneers will raise a banner celebrating their 2007 American Conference Championship prior to the game.
"The team is important to this community, as demonstrated by their increase in fan base each year," Bonnevier said. "They provide good programming for the venue and offer our guests an opportunity to comfortably experience live, action-packed football games during spring and summer."
SMG, based in Philadelphia, has management contracts for over 200 venues worldwide. The company manages 76 arenas, nine stadiums, 62 convention centers, 49 performing arts centers, and 13 other recreational facilities.
arenafootball2 Stories from March 20, 2008
- Wolves Fan Fest Kicks Off Season Saturday - Manchester Wolves
- Twisters Emerged From Scrimmage Unscathed - Arkansas Diamonds
- af2 Championship to be Hosted by Participating Team with Best Overall Record - af2
- Battlewings' Games to be Heard on Battlewings Radio Network - Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings
- Luzerne County Convention Center Authority Signs Two-Year Lease with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
